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Kentucky Wildcats basketball is back, folks.
In what was the first real look at this Kentucky team, fans finally got a little peek at what is John Calipari’s most experienced team in his tenure in Lexington.
They definitely gave fans something to be excited about.
During the scrimmage, both teams were flying up down the floor, and with plenty of good shooters on this roster, you were able to see how hard this team will be to guard in transition.
We all knew this team would have great guards, one can argue though that the most impressive thing from tonight though is the play of the bigs. It was once thought that there is a glaring hole at the 5 spot if Oscar gets into foul trouble on a consistent basis, but Lance Ware showed he has taken a big step this offseason.
Daimion Collins also showed flashes of what most scouts continue to rave about, and the mix of forwards in Keion Brooks and Bryce Hopkins showed that the 3 and 4 spots will be perfectly fine.
Granted, this was an intrasquad scrimmage, but you can see the fight and confidence this team already plays with. If that continues to grow, this team will be very dangerous come March.
But first, let’s go to Madison Square Garden and beat Duke.
Now check out the best Twitter reactions from tonight's game:
Kentucky freshman TyTy Washington. I think I am gonna regret not having this kid on one of my Preseason All-American teams.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) October 22, 2021
Versatile combo guard who plays beyond his years. The word everyone has mentioned to me about him? “Poise.” pic.twitter.com/2C3VMLXRqh
Cal had to to give the Blue team some instruction during the first time out break. pic.twitter.com/cXAyACKQ0L
— Big Blue Drew (@BigBlueDrew33) October 22, 2021
TyTy Washington can score from anywhere, just a walking bucket. Kellan Grady is going to have a million open looks, too.
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) October 22, 2021
Shooting and scoring won't be an issue for this Kentucky team.
What is Kentucky going to do when Tshiebwe is out? It's a scrimmage, I get it, but that's my No. 1 question right now
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) October 22, 2021
This Kentucky team will be elite in transition.
— Shawn Smith (@gbbcountry) October 22, 2021
Wheeler, TyTy, Grady, Hopkins, Tshiebwe will be a nice starting lineup
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) October 22, 2021
1st half Blue-White Game thoughts:
— Zack Geoghegan (@ZGeogheganKSR) October 22, 2021
Sahvir brings a lot, but he still plays a little *too* fast for what he's trying to do. That will change over time.
Oscar wasn't lying when he said only God could outrebound him.
Bryce Hopkins is a very, very smart player and will play a lot.
My first half takeaway: The bigs appear to be ready for war.
— Big Blue Drew (@BigBlueDrew33) October 22, 2021
Halftime: 55, ⚪️ 44
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) October 22, 2021
Stats:@Oscartshiebwe34 - 15 pts, 9 rebs@tytywashington3 - 14 pts, 4 assts, 2 rebs@CollinsDaimion - 11 pts, 4 rebs@lanceware55 - 10 pts, 6 rebs@KellanGrady31 - 10 pts@sahvir_ - 9 pts, 7 assts pic.twitter.com/5uRJk2IV3b
am I crazy?? can’t be a better center in the SEC than OSCAR…….
— alan cutler (@cutler18) October 23, 2021
1st Half takeaways from Blue-White game:
— Brandon Ramsey (@BRamseyKSR) October 22, 2021
-Sahvir Wheeler opens up a whole new dimension for this UK team.
-Kellan Grady's veteran presence is awesome. Game is slow for him. Shot maker
-Oscar Tshiebwe. Wow. Elite, elite rebounder & finisher.
-Bryce Hopkins is ready to contribute.
Five-star wing JJ Taylor was just shown on the video board here at Rupp Arena, drew cheers from Kentucky fans in attendance.
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) October 23, 2021
Here on an official visit this weekend.
Back at it on the @SECNetwork #BlueWhite x @deemintz1 pic.twitter.com/2onUv3WTBV
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) October 23, 2021
The four transfers have grabbed most of the headlines but by the end of the season there's still a very good chance a freshman is Kentucky's best player and that is TyTy Washington. Such a gifted scorer.
— Chris Fisher (@ChrisFisher247) October 23, 2021
Offense won’t be a problem with this group. So many different weapons to choose from, with so many to rotate through. Also, has to be good feeling having someone like Oscar down low as insurance for any missed.
— Tres Terrell (@TerrellTres) October 23, 2021
Daimion Collins has knocked down a couple of 3s tonight. Good looking shot.
— Derek Terry (@DerekSTerry) October 23, 2021
Oscar breaking the other team's will to even contest his offensive rebounds is good news and bad news
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) October 23, 2021
I guess Cal can finally say we have shot makers to go along with our shot takers.
— Tres Terrell (@TerrellTres) October 23, 2021
It's been a while since Kentucky had an imposing physical force like Oscar Tshiebwe. If you're an opposing post player, you better pack a lunch.
— Chris Fisher (@ChrisFisher247) October 23, 2021
Lance Ware having 20 points snuck up on me.
— Derek Terry (@DerekSTerry) October 23, 2021
Calipari's gotta platoon these guys.
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) October 23, 2021
Calipari has 12 guys that all could make a case to get some minutes
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) October 23, 2021
Gonna be real interesting how Cal balances all their playing time
Team is really deep
Was pleasantly surprised by Hopkins, Collins and the Big O. They still have a ways to go, but just what I needed to see from the frontcourt,
— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) October 23, 2021
Calipari takes the mic at 2:48 mark. “It is great to have you all back.” Thanks 10k for coming out to see the scrimmage. Offers up his obligatory, “You guys are crazy.”
— Jeff Drummond (@JDrumUK) October 23, 2021
Love is in the air tonight at @rupp_arena... #BBN, please help us in congratulating tonight's @kentuckymbb national anthem singer, Sydney, and her FIANCÉ, Jacob, on the beginning of their forever #gotcats x #proposal pic.twitter.com/5eAAmIAQDc
— Kentucky Athletics (@UKAthletics) October 23, 2021
Alright, initial takeaways from UK's Blue-White game before watching the film:
— Brandon Ramsey (@BRamseyKSR) October 23, 2021
-Oscar Tshiebwe. Truly dominate force inside.
-Sahvir Wheeler is a game changer with the ball in his hands.
-TyTy Washington, Kellan Grady are shot MAKERS.
-On paper, not many holes on this team.
TyTy Washington looking like Snoop from The Wire will be the proverbial nail gun in the coffin for many opposing SEC teams
— . (@LilJoeBHall) October 23, 2021
Final: 108, ⚪️ 80
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) October 23, 2021
Stats:@Oscartshiebwe34 - 25 pts, 21 rebs@tytywashington3 - 24 pts, 10 assts@CollinsDaimion - 22 pts, 7 rebs@lanceware55 - 20 pts, 10 rebs@KeionB_12 - 20 pts, 7 rebs@BryceHopkins - 18 pts, 10 rebs@KellanGrady31 - 16 pts@sahvir_ - 11 pts, 11 assts pic.twitter.com/cBHYZh9Vuo
Basketball time in @Rupp_Arena
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) October 23, 2021
Highlights from tonight’s #BlueWhite Game ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/EFEXYJKICn
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