UK’s balance playing a major role in Bahamas success

We knew this Kentucky team would be deep, but the balance that they have shown through these three games in the Bahamas has shown how balanced they can be this season, and how dangerous that is going to make them.

Take the game against Mega Bemax for example.

The Wildcats had six guys score in double figures. PJ Washington led the way with 20, but Keldon Johnson and Tyler Herro each had 16 and Nick Richards had 15.

This is the type of team, as they have shown, where defenses can’t key in on just one or two guys because there are multiple players that can have a standout performance. In the first game of this trip, it was Nick Richards. Then it was Tyler Herro. In the last game, it was PJ Washington.

Ultimately, I think you’re going to see a season where 8 or 9 different guys lead the team in scoring in at least one game, and that type of balance is a trademark among the best teams year to year.

Look at Kentucky’s 2014-2015 squad. This obviously isn’t to compare how good this team is to that one, but the balance that team had was unbelievable. Every game could be different on who would stand out, but they had several players that defenses had to account for. This year’s Kentucky team seems to have that same makeup.

Herro has shown the ability to explode offensively. Washington showed that he can be a force offensively and score in multiple ways. Johnson has shown how dangerous he can be attacking the rim.

Quade Green has shown the ability to get hot from the perimeter and Immanuel Quickley has shown the ability to make defenses pay. Richards has shown a much-improved low post game and a really good looking short-mid range jump shot.

Add in Reid Travis, Ashton Hagans, and E.J. Montgomery, and this team has nine guys that are a threat to score.

But outside of scoring, the team has shown balance in other areas too. Multiple guys are making plays on defense, everyone is pitching in with rebounding, and this group has played a lot of unselfish basketball early on.

If the Wildcats continue to be this balanced, they are going to be very difficult to stop when it comes time for the season to start, and they have the look of a team poised to make a run in March.