ESPN 680 UK Postgame Show Podcast: Victory over Texas A&M

When Quade Green was scratched from the game minutes before the tip off an uneasy feeling permeated through Big Blue Nation. The Kentucky Wildcats were coming off a loss to the Tennessee Volunteers. A loss that showed the lack of toughness this team possessed.

While Kentucky was losing a player, the Texas A&M Aggies returned D.J. Hogg and Admon Gilder to the line up. Both Hogg and Gilder are their best outside shooters. The Aggies were coming off of a three game SEC losing streak and desperately needed a win in Rupp.

But with a shorthanded team, the Cats prevailed and showed that toughness that John Calipari has been looking for since Saturday.

Here is what I talked about:

• P.J. Washington once again showcased why he is Cal’s toughest player and how he is emerging as the team’s most important player
• Kevin Knox was quiet but scored five straight in a critical stretch for Kentucky and ended up with a good 15 point performance
• Hamidou Diallo had probably his bet game for Kentucky
• Tyler Davis caused major problems but that’s going to be the case anytime Kentucky faces a talented center
• Wenyen Gabriel is all hustle
• Nick Richards is having a difficult time playing at this level
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played 39 minutes and he was needed in every one of them
• John Calipari made some interesting comments about the return about Jarred Vanderbilt

I’ll be back on the call for the post game show after the Cats travel to Vanderbilt on Saturday.