Wildcat Quickies: Alex The Great Edition

The newly anointed Kentucky Wildcats took the court as the #1 team in the nation for the 20th time in the last 22 poles, and for the 114th time overall.  Only UCLA (134) and Duke (127) have been in the #1 spot more times.  Kentucky ended up pulling away late for the 20 point win, highlighted by another Alex Poythress Double-Double.

Poythress had 14 points and 10 rebounds plus a lot of rim abuse, he keeps inching toward 100% health and he was exactly what Coach Cal wants him to be last night.  If that Poythress hangs around all year and gets a little more confidence in his knee, he will be the lockdown defender we need along with the beast we have.

This team is still a long way from being the dominant team they can be, but I think they will definitely get there.  One of the more fun aspects of this season is going to be watching the evolution of Skal Labissierre.  He is a very cerebral player and learns from every mistake and has a drive to get better that few have.

Skal on Cal being hard on him: "If I wanted pats on the back, I could've gone anywhere else."

— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_CJ) November 25, 2015

TWEET OF THE NIGHT

@KyleTucker_CJ 23,000 fans. The odds aren't in his favor.

— Kel (@bluekel) November 25, 2015

YOUR QUICKIES

• Shannon Dawson does NOT plan on trying to protect Drew Barker on Saturday.  They have full faith in Drew and plan to move forward and 'just play ball' behind him.

"We're just gonna play ball," Dawson said. "He's pretty loose out there. We're just gonna go with what we see."

• One win can cure all; if the 'Cats and Mark Stoops can pull out the win on Saturday they will finish 6-6, go to a bowl game, and shove a big crapburger into the mouths of all Louisville fans.  While the last four losses have been frustrating and borderline embarrassing, the aforementioned scenario would heal a lot, if not all of Big Blue Nation's wounds.
• Coach Cal is 'not worried about Louisville', of course there is more to the context than just that quote, but I am sure it will make the rounds as if Cal was saying he thinks Louisville is no good.

Cal: "Why wouldn’t you practice over Xmas for UofL? B/c I’m not worried about Louisville. I’m worried about my family, these kids’ families"

— Tyler Thompson (@MrsTylerKSR) November 25, 2015

• Charles Matthews had a strong showing last night and earned time in the rotation, per Calipari.  Matthews had 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal in just 18 minutes. My guess is the person who will lose minutes to Matthews is Derek Willis.

Calipari said Charles Matthews was outstanding. Said he likely moved into the rotation.

— Derek Terry (@DTerryRivals) November 25, 2015

RANDOM QUICKIES