:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70065727/usa_today_17052072.0.jpg)
We can finally put the 2020-21 college basketball season behind us, as the Kentucky Wildcats were back on the court for their first exhibition game vs. a real opponent in Kentucky Wesleyan.
This year’s team is different from the Cal teams we are used to seeing, as they are the oldest team since 1957-58 and have the most transfer players (six) in the history of the program.
It was a quick start for Keion Brooks in his junior campaign, as he poured in 15 points on 6/9 shooting, and five rebounds in the first half.
Overall, the first half showed that this Kentucky team is going to be able to score in bunches and from all three levels.
Focusing on the three, Kentucky fans’ biggest complaint last season was the lack of threes attempted in Cal’s offense.
Well, the Cats launched 14 in the first half of this one and drilled five of them for 35.7%. I would expect that volume to be a common theme this season with the amount of sharpshooters this team has.
After the first 20 minutes of the preseason, it was Kentucky holding a 48-30 lead.
The second half was more of the same for the Cats. A lot of substitutions and lighting up the scoreboard.
This first performance shows that TyTy Washington is the real deal and is going to be a star for this team, as he finished with 18 points on 7/9 shooting, two assists, and a rebound.
It was an exciting start to the new season for Kentucky, as they rolled to a 95-72 win over Kentucky Wesleyan.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the game:
Starting 5️⃣ for tonight's exhibition pic.twitter.com/erjcD6bVjP
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) October 29, 2021
The ball is tipped pic.twitter.com/FSd2jRxepQ
— Curtis Burch (@curtisburch) October 29, 2021
Oh how I have missed it pic.twitter.com/aCf1dve1kR
— Dylan Ballard (@DylanBallard_UK) October 29, 2021
JUNIOR YEAR KEION BROOKS
— Cats Coverage (@CatsCoverage_) October 29, 2021
Quiet as church in Rupp. Basketball season is BACK
— All Things Kentucky (@BBNWonka) October 29, 2021
Keion Brooks came in ready to play tonight.
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) October 29, 2021
That Collins block on the 3 pointer was incredible
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) October 29, 2021
Saucy Tyty dime. #BBN
— Vinny Hardy (@VinnyHardy) October 29, 2021
The energy just feels different
— Big Blue Breakdown (@BlueBreakdown) October 29, 2021
I’ve seen enough to declare: UK’s better than last season.
— T.J. Walker (@TJWalkerRadio) October 29, 2021
Cats on track to launch about 48 three pointers. Felt good to type that out.
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) October 29, 2021
I have prayed to see movement like this away from the ball. PRAYED. I love it !!!!!! #CAYUTS #BasketballisBackHoney
— Anna Maria Tarullo (@tarullotweets) October 29, 2021
Damion Collins is gonna be a SportsCenter top 10 generating machine this season.
— John Huang (@KYHuangs) October 29, 2021
College Officials have a charging call fetish
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) October 29, 2021
Kentucky Basketball alley-oops are dopamine hits of a lifetime.
— Cats Coverage (@CatsCoverage_) October 29, 2021
Halftime of Kentucky's exhibition opener: pic.twitter.com/16KTbbWfhV
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) October 29, 2021
Washington is definitely leading UK in scoring this year
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) October 30, 2021
"Should've named him WinWin."
— Adam Luckett (@AdamLuckettKSR) October 30, 2021
Kentucky basketball is BACK
— Tori Alascio (@torialascio) October 30, 2021
Washington is going to be special
— Dylan Ballard (@DylanBallard_UK) October 30, 2021
No one on last year's roster can do what Sahvir Wheeler does.
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) October 30, 2021
What I like most about TyTy is his ranking never went down. Just up then up and up some more. You don't worry about someone like that. pic.twitter.com/5fpcPUKP6w
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) October 30, 2021
Joel Utley calling games for 61 years is pretty damn awesome. What a career.
— Big Blue Drew (@BigBlueDrew33) October 30, 2021
Mintz being just another piece on this team is bonkers. This will be UK’s second deepest team in 25 years.
— T.J. Walker (@TJWalkerRadio) October 30, 2021
Offensively this team is going to be a lot better
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) October 30, 2021
Defense needs a lot of work
Great to have Kentucky Basketball back
Nice showing by Kentucky out of the gate. Alot of potential. Much to build on.
— John Huang (@KYHuangs) October 30, 2021
And that's a wrap. On to Starkvegas.
FINAL: Kentucky 95, Kentucky Wesleyan 72 pic.twitter.com/7Vi45qVpMu
— Jeff Drummond (@JDrumUK) October 30, 2021
Cats by 23 in the exhibition opener pic.twitter.com/6eUt4E13Vh
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) October 30, 2021
A Sea of Blue comes loaded with Kentucky Wildcats links, news, analysis, and some other fun stuff, so ‘like’ our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.