A Sea Of Blue - Kentucky Wildcats Basketball Bahamas Trip 2018Online Home of the Big Blue Nation: Kentucky Wildcats Sports for the Discerning Fanhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46621/aseaof-fav.png2018-08-26T07:05:01-04:00http://www.aseaofblue.com/rss/stream/174233072018-08-26T07:05:01-04:002018-08-26T07:05:01-04:00Seth Greenberg and Dan Dakich dish out strong praise for young Wildcats
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<figcaption>UK Athletics</figcaption>
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<p>“They were a terrific combination of playing hard, talent and coachability.”</p> <p id="cx5eBk">If Kentucky didn’t already have the nations attention as a legitimate title contender before their trip to the Bahamas, they certainly do now. UK swept their competition in a dominant fashion, going undefeated against their professional opponents.</p>
<p id="Lt7N2J">After calling all four of Kentucky’s Bahamas games together for ESPN, basketball analysts Dan Dakich and Seth Greenberg spoke very highly of the group on their Podcast, <a href="http://www.espn.com/espnradio/play?id=24447026">Courtside with Greenberg and Dakich</a>.</p>
<p id="boFBeB">“The most impressive thing I saw was a bunch of big, strong pros trying to intimidate the Wildcats,” Dakich said. “And the Wildcats said nah nah man. We’re gonna come right back at you. We’re gonna punch you in the mouth and truthfully (Kentucky) intimidated them.”</p>
<p id="MtIhnW">Greenberg concurred with Dakich about Kentucky’s toughness, but added that he thought they showed high level of maturity for such a young team.</p>
<p id="VMMbJa">“The thing that impressed me was the character of the kids. That’s what impressed me. Here’s the deal. The kids take this trip to the Bahamas, they had 10 days to practice. They’re playing good competition.</p>
<p id="Mp4Ewi">“Like I said, they didn’t play the Little Sisters of the Poor. They played good teams — not great teams, one team had a chance to get a guy drafted in the NBA — but those kids are lost in the game and they’re lost in each other. That’s what impressed me most. I thought they played really hard for a young group of kids. The hardest thing to do for a young team is to get them to play hard, to redefine playing hard. I thought they played hard.”</p>
<aside id="9Xz7AH"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"2018-19 Basketball Schedule: Everything to know","url":"https://www.aseaofblue.com/2018/8/25/17779340/2018-19-uk-basketball-schedule-everything-you-know"},{"title":"Joel Justus gives impressions on Wildcats after Bahamas trip","url":"https://www.aseaofblue.com/2018/8/25/17775532/kentucky-basketball-joel-justus-wildcats-bahamas-trip"}]}'></div></aside><p id="t77qyg">Greenberg went on to elaborate more about what impressed him from Kentucky.</p>
<p id="6VB1cU">“The second thing is to get a bunch of guys to play for each other. I can count on a hand how many bad shots I saw them making over those four games. You could see guys really appreciate each other’s success, and finally, this is a talented group. It’s a talented group that plays hard, plays together and some guys emerge.”</p>
<p id="wFXiIu">During their discussion, the pair complimented Tyler Herro for his shot making abilities and floor game. Greenberg also noted how Dakich compared Keldon Johnson to <span>Miles Bridges</span> on their broadcast, as well as <span>PJ Washington</span> to <span>Draymond Green</span>. </p>
<p id="fWXVRq">Out of the many UK players they talked about, the two they spent the most time on were <span>Reid Travis</span> and Nick Richards. Both of which for different reasons. </p>
<p id="boQE5x">For Travis, Dakich described him as “stiff” when he started the tournament. As the tournament went on though, Greenberg and Dakich both believed Travis settled in and looked more comfortable. Neither predicted that Travis will post numbers close to what he did at Stanford because of Kentucky’s depth, but still average around a double double.</p>
<p id="XKTiRf">While they may have been somewhat down on Reid, they both absolutely gushed over Nick Richards. Dakich even said he fell in love with him. Greenberg added his own thoughts as well. </p>
<p id="9pXuKk">Overall, it sounded like Kentucky exceeded both their expectations.</p>
<p id="pDRpYk"> “It’s going to be a good year for the Big Blue Nation,” Dakich stated. “I don’t think they’re going undefeated, but they’re gonna have a hell of a run here.”</p>
<p id="mJsgiC">You can listen to the podcast in it’s entirety on <a href="http://www.espn.com/espnradio/play?id=24447026">ESPN.</a></p>
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https://www.aseaofblue.com/2018/8/26/17775278/kentucky-basketball-seth-greenberg-dan-dakich-wildcatsJHarris12018-08-25T08:02:28-04:002018-08-25T08:02:28-04:00Joel Justus gives impressions on Wildcats after Bahamas trip
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<figcaption>Jeremy Chisenhall - Sea of Blue</figcaption>
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<p>Justus is very impressed with the start that the Wildcats are off to.</p> <p id="Io10n4">There’s been time for Kentucky basketball to decompress since the Bahamas trip. The quickfire reactions and hype has settled, though expectations are still high. </p>
<p id="rZ7LE4">Assistant coach Joel Justus sat down with <a href="http://CoachCal.com">CoachCal.com</a> editor TJ Beisner to talk about what he saw from the team in the Bahamas. </p>
<p id="OVZQF0">He first talked about how good it was to see Kentucky perform at the level it did so early, but also contextualized that the same way John Calipari does: by saying it’s just a start. </p>
<p id="1im3yU">“For us to see that group come together so quickly, be unselfish, enjoy playing, but then also compete at the level that they did down there, you have to be pleased,” Justus said. “And I think with where we are right now, and with what coach has talked with them, it’s a great start. And I think that’s just what it is, it’s a start. As with any team that we’ve had here, we’re nowhere near the finished product.”</p>
<aside id="gi6xpe"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Reid Travis’ struggles are because his game is evolving","url":"https://www.aseaofblue.com/2018/8/24/17773578/uk-basketball-wildcats-travis-struggles-game-evolving-nba"},{"title":"5 immediate thoughts about the Kentucky Wildcats’ schedule","url":"https://www.aseaofblue.com/2018/8/24/17778904/kentucky-basketball-wildcats-2019-schedule-duke-blue-devils-kansas-jayhawks"}]}'></div></aside><p id="50RnCm">Justus then turned his attention to specific players, and talked in depth about what he saw in Keldon Johnson when he was recruiting him. </p>
<p id="Vtnofk">“Every time I went and saw him he got better,” Justus said. “We saw a kid that loves basketball, that’s a fan of the game, but also loves to improve. And you can see that when—every time we would go see him, I would go see him, I’m like ‘man, this kid’s getting better. He’s quicker, he’s faster, he’s stronger, his jump shot’s better.’ And I still think, and we still think as a staff, his best days are way ahead of him. And I don’t know that any of us will even get a glimpse of how good Keldon Johnson’s going to be when he’s wearing the blue and white.”</p>
<p id="gs1NeA">The Wildcats are loaded with talent this year, and Justus said that because of that, it’ll take a awhile to figure out who plays best with who. The versatility and the ability for several players to play so many different positions doesn’t make it easier. </p>
<p id="tJW9XC">“This team is so versatile, they’re so skilled,” Justus said. “All good problems to have, I guess. And if that’s my job, and if that’s our job as Kentucky basketball coaches, I know there’ll be a long, long, long line of coaches that would love to have our problems.”</p>
<p id="U4otI5">Who plays best with who is one of many unknowns for Kentucky this year. Justus did, however, state some of the things that the staff knows for sure about this year’s team. </p>
<p id="1jOV2U">“We do know that <span>Nick Richards</span> is better than he was as a freshman,” Justus said. “We do know that <span>PJ Washington</span> has worked on his body and his motor. We do know that Quade, again, has worked on his body. Those three guys are returning, and we do know that they are better than they were before.”</p>
<p id="iW11Mo">Kentucky still has a lot to figure out, and it won’t all be clear by Nov. 6 when the Wildcats start the season against Duke. But what is obvious, as Justus said, is that this team is talented, and Justus and other coaches certainly have good problems on their hands this year. </p>
<p id="IAjttP">You can listen to Beisner’s full interview with Justus on the <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Fukbasketball%2Fa-conversation-with-joel-justus&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aseaofblue.com%2F2018%2F8%2F25%2F17775532%2Fkentucky-basketball-joel-justus-wildcats-bahamas-trip" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Behind Kentucky Basketball podcast here</a>:</p>
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https://www.aseaofblue.com/2018/8/25/17775532/kentucky-basketball-joel-justus-wildcats-bahamas-tripJeremy Chisenhall2018-08-24T13:40:54-04:002018-08-24T13:40:54-04:00Reid Travis’ struggles are because his game is evolving
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<figcaption>Jason Marcum - Sea of Blue</figcaption>
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<p>Travis and UK are working to take his game to a new level, and we’ve already seen glimpses of it. </p> <p id="LRruAG"><span>Reid Travis</span>’ Bahamas performances certainly weren’t bad, but they were also certainly less than perfect. </p>
<p id="Yt62RP">That isn’t necessarily surprising. The two-time All-Pac 12 player has to transition to a new team and a new culture. But he’s also making a transition in his individual game. </p>
<p id="kQ2NrN">According to James Clark, a Philadelphia trainer who worked with Travis while he was testing the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-draft">NBA Draft</a>, the goal was to make Travis more versatile, and less about the physically imposing play that he’d thrived on. </p>
<p id="iGcFWA">“Making Reid a stretch four was our intent,” Clark said in an interview with Jon Hale of the <a href="https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2018/08/23/kentucky-basketball-dont-worry-transfer-reid-travis/1017867002/">Louisville Courier Journal</a>. “… My biggest fear was him going to Kentucky and Cal putting him on the block, which I hoped wasn’t going to be the case.”</p>
<aside id="n4WarX"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Kentucky Basketball 2018-19 Schedule Set","url":"https://www.aseaofblue.com/2018/8/24/17778064/kentucky-wildcats-basketball-2018-19-schedule-channels-dates-times"},{"title":"Kentucky vs. Louisville Basketball game will be on a big day of football","url":"https://www.aseaofblue.com/2018/8/24/17775856/kentucky-wildcats-louisville-cardinals-basketball-football"}]}'></div></aside><p id="f1aqFH">Travis’ performances in the Bahamas may have been a perfect microcosm of his transition efforts. He struggled in the first three games, and his total field-goal percentage wound up being just 34.1 percent. The most seasoned veteran on the team was only the fifth-highest scorer. </p>
<p id="hLJjB0">But that fourth and final game was huge, as Travis shot 50 percent from the field, scoring 19 point and bringing in 15 rebounds. He even went 2 for 3 from 3-point range, a great example of improved versatility. </p>
<p id="YEVpl1">“I didn’t want an easy path,” Travis said, according to the Courier Journal. “So, it’s almost a great learning experience for me to come down here and have some of the struggles that I did, because I just understand those are things I need to work on and understand where I’m at in the process.”</p>
<p id="AL44Ko">That’s the play that John Calipari will hope to get from Travis. He’s not going to be in the post as much as he was before—he’ll play a more modern big man role—but he’ll still be expected to be the team’s primary rebounder. </p>
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https://www.aseaofblue.com/2018/8/24/17773578/uk-basketball-wildcats-travis-struggles-game-evolving-nbaJeremy Chisenhall2018-08-23T18:00:40-04:002018-08-23T18:00:40-04:00UK Bahamas foe Mega Bemax beats Michigan, a preseason top-25 team
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<p>One preseason poll has Michigan as high as No 16. Maybe Kentucky’s wins in the Bahamas were more impressive than we realized.</p> <p id="ykdDo1">Leading up to the <a href="https://www.aseaofblue.com/">Kentucky Wildcats</a>’ trip to the Bahamas, fans were led to believe that the match-up with Serbian champion Mega Bemax would be the measuring stick for how far along the Wildcats are in their development.</p>
<p id="wc2TlO">Kentucky responded by throttling the international professional squad with a score of 100-64 in a game where <span>Brad Calipari</span> got over ten minutes of playing time.</p>
<p id="UKOqCl">The <a href="https://www.maizenbrew.com/">Michigan Wolverines</a> took on Mega Bemax in Spain on Thursday on a trip they hoped would build on their run to the national championship game back in March. </p>
<p id="NX2Hlv">But Michigan ended up on the wrong end of a learning experience as they fell to the Serbians 81-73.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">After tough second quarter U-M rallies in 2nd half, but falls in Spain. <br>Learn & Grow as we have a final here in Sant Julia de Vilatorta<br><br>KK Bemax - 81, Michigan - 73<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VamosAzul?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VamosAzul</a> <br>〽️ in <br><br>Hang in there with us as the WiFi here is touch & go</p>— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) <a href="https://twitter.com/umichbball/status/1032703431658692608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2018</a>
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<p id="jlTT6M">Granted, the Wolverines lost some of their top players from a year ago. However, they have a returning core of <span>Zavier Simpson</span>, <span>Jordan Poole</span> and <span>Charles Matthews</span> and sit in the top-25 of every major poll going into next season, <a href="https://www.si.com/college-basketball/2018/06/07/top-25-preseason-rankings-nba-draft-withdrawals">including No 16 at SI</a>. </p>
<p id="fwwiqU">Given that this is the first common opponent the Wildcats have had with another top-25 team this preseason, it is certainly worth comparing the matchups. </p>
<aside id="2ie1LO"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Kentucky Basketball 2018-19 Schedule Set","url":"https://www.aseaofblue.com/2018/8/24/17778064/kentucky-wildcats-basketball-2018-19-schedule-channels-dates-times"}]}'></div></aside><p id="NwUEjX">Kentucky rolled against Mega Bemax and spent most of the second half in cruise control. The Wildcats had six players in double figures (and <span>Reid Travis</span> had eight). <span>Jonny David</span> picked up five minutes of playing time to go with Calipari’s ten. It was as thorough of a beating as you will see on a basketball court.</p>
<p id="XCbweS">Michigan trailed the Serbian team by double digits for much of the game before closing the gap late. Their match-up with Mega Bemax looked much more like what we expected their game with Kentucky to be. The Wolverines could not match the physicality of the professional players and struggled to score for most of the game.</p>
<p id="IBLaKM">Does this mean Kentucky is 40+ points better than Michigan? <s>Yes</s> Not necessarily. But it does indicate that the Wildcats are closer to being a dominant college basketball team than many believed after the Bahamas tour.</p>
<p id="9cemdV">Is it November 6th yet?</p>
https://www.aseaofblue.com/2018/8/23/17775088/uk-basketball-bahamas-mega-bemax-michigan-wolverines-preseason-top-25-pollJamie Boggs2018-08-21T14:35:12-04:002018-08-21T14:35:12-04:00NBA scout breaks down UK and Duke players from summer trips
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<p>A lot of good things to say about PJ and other Wildcats. </p> <p id="JLxO1C">Now that the international college basketball trips are wrapped up for the summer, all of the focus is shifting to November 6th when the <a href="https://www.aseaofblue.com/">Kentucky Wildcats</a> will take on the <a href="https://www.dukebasketballreport.com/">Duke Blue Devils</a> to kick off the season.</p>
<p id="qZMy3X">Both squads took international tours this summer, Kentucky to the Bahamas and Duke to Canada. Both teams looked fantastic and blew past he competition.</p>
<p id="G3mI7l">In looking to process how summer performances may translate to the next level, <a href="https://www.flohoops.com/articles/6240195-nba-scouting-director-talks-zion-williamson-rj-barrett-more">Adam Zagoria of Flo Hoops</a> spoke to an anonymous NBA scouting director about what he saw this summer.</p>
<aside id="z1tYqO"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Where UK recruits stand in new 247 rankings for 2019 class","url":"https://www.aseaofblue.com/2018/8/22/17768678/kentucky-basketball-recruiting-uk-recruits-rankings-2019-class-wildcats"},{"title":"Reid Travis is one of the most wanted players in college basketball","url":"https://www.aseaofblue.com/kentucky-wildcats-basketball/2018/8/22/17766710/reid-travis-college-hoops-zion-williamson"}]}'></div></aside><p id="RHrrFG">This is some of what he came up with for three Wildcats: </p>
<h3 id="3N3YXn"><strong>Keldon Johnson</strong></h3>
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<p id="RQr8AN">“He’s big and he’s athletic. His stroke has got to get better but it’s not broken. It’s a little inconsistent. I think he was over 40 percent from three down there (44 percent). He shot a couple of airballs. It’s not quite there yet, but it’s fine. It’s not a broken stroke. </p>
<p id="aaVmwq">“He’s got NBA athleticism, NBA size, typical two-guard size so I think the kid’s a top-10 pick.”</p>
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<h3 id="Db6hez"><span><strong>PJ Washington</strong></span></h3>
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<p id="jHxCQf">“His body got a lot better over the summer. He’s thinner; he lost some weight. He’s still kind of a, what is he at the NBA level? He’s a little bit undersized as a power forward. I don’t think he’s a three. I don’t know. He’s like a funky size, but he drives the ball to the rim with power. </p>
<p id="vhCkeH">“He finishes. He’s not the greatest athlete in the world, but he’s good enough. Knows how to play. He’s gotten better. He really helped himself coming back, he made a good decision.”</p>
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<h3 id="tmIFJD"><span><strong>Nick Richards</strong></span></h3>
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<p id="pOIG2R">“I think he helped himself immensely. When I went down there and scouted that event, I thought he was by far the most pleasant surprise from the standpoint of how much better he’s gotten. I think the light came on for that kid between the end of last year and this year. Last year I didn’t think the kid looked like he belonged. You couldn’t see that kid on an NBA court last year.</p>
<p id="nHabpH">”Now, you’re like, that guy’s a starting center in the NBA. I kind of wish he was a bit of a better shot-blocker than he is, but against Mega [Bemax], he was great. He’s made fantastic progress. Fantastic.”</p>
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<p id="2G1qAc">While Kentucky clearly looked like the better team against superior competition, it’s hard to argue with Barrett and Williamson being the top NBA prospects of who the scout watched. They looked better in their games than any of the Kentucky players did in theirs. They contributed more to Duke’s team success and put up more highlight plays.</p>
<p id="DxAtBE">However, they looked so good because they were the only guys on their team that could play. Duke’s depth is nowhere close to what Calipari has in Lexington.</p>
<p id="xSXULp">Kentucky’s stars did not need to put up remarkable numbers in order for their team to success in the Bahamas. They share the ball and share the responsibility of putting points on the board. The depth of Kentucky is perhaps its biggest strength.</p>
<p id="6AeROH">Even when Cam Reddish and Tre Jones get back from injury, Kentucky will still own most of the top 8 spots when comparing the teams’ rotations. That bodes well for the Wildcats in November, and even better in March.</p>
<p id="0Og1QG">The Champions Classic simply cannot get here soon enough.</p>
<p id="qRErqS"><a href="https://www.flohoops.com/articles/6240195-nba-scouting-director-talks-zion-williamson-rj-barrett-more">Be sure to read the full piece at Flo Hoops</a>. </p>
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https://www.aseaofblue.com/2018/8/21/17764954/kentucky-wildcats-basketball-nba-scout-uk-duke-blue-devilsJamie Boggs2018-08-20T11:25:48-04:002018-08-20T11:25:48-04:00Kentucky gives behind-the-scenes look at Bahamas trip
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<p>A starting point for greatness. </p> <p id="DAufTe">Expectations were already high for the 2018-19 Kentucky Basketball team, but the Bahamas trip took that hype to a new level.</p>
<p id="zfkOVv">During the course of Kentucky’s week-long trip at Atlantis Paradise Island, the young Wildcats destroyed four teams full of experienced college players and even pros. </p>
<p id="s0QMXN">But it was Kentucky that looked like the pro team, as they won all four games by nearly 30 points per contest. It also sent a clear message to the rest of college basketball that this team is ready to make a strong push for title No. 9. </p>
<p id="igWkjR">It feels like ages ago the trip happened, so Kentucky decided to help us re-live the memorable trip through the eyes of <a href="https://www.aseaofblue.com/">Kentucky Wildcats</a> TV:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BigBlueBahamas?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BigBlueBahamas</a> was fun, but it was just a starting point. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DreamBig?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DreamBig</a> <a href="https://t.co/2UEIwLDkK0">pic.twitter.com/2UEIwLDkK0</a></p>— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/KentuckyMBB/status/1031560510515437568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2018</a>
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https://www.aseaofblue.com/2018/8/20/17759906/kentucky-wildcats-behind-the-scenes-bahamas-college-basketballJason Marcum2018-08-20T10:38:32-04:002018-08-20T10:38:32-04:00Keldon Johnson gives us a peek of the superstar he can become
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<p>Keldon Johnson gave us a peek at the superstar he could become, and he already looks like one of the most complete players in college basketball. </p> <p id="ukePo4">Keldon Johnson was the top of the crop of the <a href="https://www.aseaofblue.com/">Kentucky Wildcats</a>’ 2018 recruiting class, as he was the #7 ranked player in ESPN’s recruiting rankings for the class. </p>
<p id="HgFW9y">Despite an experienced and heavily-crammed frontcourt, Johnson secured the starting small forward spot for the Bahamas Tour and likely the regular season. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The timing of the jump and the hangtime will make Johnson an absolute menace in transition <a href="https://t.co/Cu5rETR2Zz">pic.twitter.com/Cu5rETR2Zz</a></p>— Justin Hodges (@HodgepodgeHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/HodgepodgeHoops/status/1030872630511984640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2018</a>
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<p id="X2PhpK">Johnson’s skillset compliments his physical attributes in a mixture that creates a prototype wing slasher and defender. Often times, young prospects with high levels of athleticism tend to struggle with their overall control and with scoring effectively through contact. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Keldon Johnson excels at staying in control and using his body to hold off defenders <a href="https://t.co/hBCsd6aSlG">pic.twitter.com/hBCsd6aSlG</a></p>— Justin Hodges (@HodgepodgeHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/HodgepodgeHoops/status/1030872136083234816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2018</a>
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<p id="DxpcCT">Johnson has no such difficulties. His feel for the game is tremendous and he utilizes his athleticism to extreme effectiveness. Instead of exploding through lanes as fast as he can and throwing up wild shots, Johnson takes his time and drives through contact with fluidity and control. </p>
<p id="7FnbMG">He’s able to do so because his ball handling is tight and in control, and his ability to hold the ball tight and not let it get stripped in the lanes.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The hard two steps and gliding through two defenders to finish at the rim. Kids at 18 typically can’t do things like this <a href="https://t.co/24kdn2994E">pic.twitter.com/24kdn2994E</a></p>— Justin Hodges (@HodgepodgeHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/HodgepodgeHoops/status/1030872396461420545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2018</a>
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<p id="HZxGty">We also can’t forget about his high flying dunking ability, which was put on full display in the Bahamas. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This is just ridiculous <a href="https://t.co/bVXxS4Alvp">pic.twitter.com/bVXxS4Alvp</a></p>— Justin Hodges (@HodgepodgeHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/HodgepodgeHoops/status/1030872781708296192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2018</a>
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<p id="6fT5yp">Johnson also has a smooth finesse to his game that allows him to create fluent opportunities going to the rim. To compliment that he has excellent breakaway speed in transition and also great hands to secure outlet passes. </p>
<p id="9C2f4G">Finishing in the post was an area of struggle in the Bahamas, but his floaters were exceptional.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">First the break off speed in transition, then the euro through the lane. Kid just has special, almost Tatum-esque physical quality <a href="https://t.co/TFFHZ2inET">pic.twitter.com/TFFHZ2inET</a></p>— Justin Hodges (@HodgepodgeHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/HodgepodgeHoops/status/1030872700456185856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2018</a>
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<p id="hskhCk">Where Johnson looked at his greatest was playing perimeter defense and being relentless on the defensive end as a whole. His on-ball defense looked NBA-level and he showed high basketball IQ in working around opposing screens and playing help defense.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This on the ball defense by Keldon Johnson is everything. <a href="https://t.co/SZLubq2FaT">pic.twitter.com/SZLubq2FaT</a></p>— Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton) <a href="https://twitter.com/Scott_Charlton/status/1028420251623546880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2018</a>
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<p id="wuimxq">While his perimeter jump shot isn’t proficient, Johnson has good mechanics and showed the capability to hit 3-pointers at a decently efficient rate. His wrist motion is what makes his jumper as good-looking as it is now, something he may or may not have picked up from Tyler Herro. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The wrist motion on Keldon’s jumper is what makes him a potentially effective 3PT shooter <a href="https://t.co/Zn7qBnXAGg">pic.twitter.com/Zn7qBnXAGg</a></p>— Justin Hodges (@HodgepodgeHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/HodgepodgeHoops/status/1030872738154598401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2018</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nice find by PJ Washington to Keldon Johnson for the 3. <a href="https://t.co/nWzTbNxhYQ">pic.twitter.com/nWzTbNxhYQ</a></p>— Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton) <a href="https://twitter.com/Scott_Charlton/status/1028755351825514496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2018</a>
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<p id="kST9gS">Keldon Johnson is the perfect compliment to a pair of perimeter-oriented guards in the backcourt and big, bruising big men in the frontcourt. He impacts the game in a widespread fashion, he carries the proficiencies of a typical one-and-done, but it’s his maturity and love for his teammates that make him a pivotal part of a special team.</p>
https://www.aseaofblue.com/2018/8/20/17748066/kentucky-basketball-film-room-keldon-johnson-uk-wildcatsJustin Hodges2018-08-20T07:30:02-04:002018-08-20T07:30:02-04:00Tyler Herro continues to receive strong post-Bahamas praise
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<figcaption>Jeremy Chisenhall</figcaption>
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<p>The star scorer has a “humble swagger.”</p> <p id="cAdRL1">Tyler Herro was one of the most obvious stars of the Bahamas tour, as he wound up the leading scorer for the Wildcats (averaging 17.3 points per game) despite starting in just one game. </p>
<p id="l2Ye6W">That’s led to an abundance of praise for Herro following the trip. </p>
<p id="uPQ7Rh">Swagger has been one of the terms to define Herro, as evidenced by a <a href="https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-basketball-men/article216893360.html">recent story from Jerry Tipton of the Lexington Herald Leader</a>, in which Fran Fraschilla said Herro had a “humble swagger.” The term didn’t stop there. </p>
<p id="bU9aGo">“How about Tyler Herro’s — I’ll use the term — swagger,” John Calipari said, according to Tipton. “I grabbed him and said, ‘That’s what I want from you.’ I said, ‘I want you to expect every shot to go in.’”</p>
<p id="9Eu6iL">ESPN’s Paul Biancardi also heaped praise on Herro for his scoring ability <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Fuser-204761944%2Fthe-espnvshow-hr2-paulbiancardi-perrinjohnson-8-16-2018%3Futm_source%3Dsoundcloud%26utm_campaign%3Dshare%26utm_medium%3Dtwitter&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aseaofblue.com%2Fkentucky-wildcats-basketball%2F2018%2F8%2F20%2F17756862%2Ftyler-herro-receive-post-bahamas-praise" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">on ESPN Louisville</a>. </p>
<p id="HMeqxS">“I expect Tyler Herro to make buckets,” Biancardi said. “I mean, that’s what he does. He’s a long-range shooter, he’s a mid-range pull-up, spectacular. And you know what? He understands how to get open. Simple things like moving without the ball, he makes beautiful backdoor cuts.”</p>
<aside id="XhtsGC"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Kentucky wins “All-Time Starting Five” tournament ","url":"https://www.aseaofblue.com/2018/8/20/17761212/uk-wildcats-kentucky-wins-ncaa-basketball-tournament"},{"title":"Keldon Johnson gives us a peek of the superstar he can become","url":"https://www.aseaofblue.com/2018/8/20/17748066/kentucky-basketball-film-room-keldon-johnson-uk-wildcats"}]}'></div></aside><p id="rNQSjb">Biancardi also said that Herro would “blend in well,” and that he’d work well with the superstar talent around him because he fits in as the standout shooter, despite the fact that he’s the lowest-rated recruit among the freshman stars. </p>
<p id="HtFuie">“All these guys, whether you’re ranked No. 10 or No. 30, you have to understand, you’re one of the most elite players in the country,” Biancardi said. “So it’s up to those guys to decide where they’re going to fit in. </p>
<p id="n3wLO7">“Just because people say, ‘Well he was the lowest-ranked guy in the class,’ that means nothing. He’s still a top 30 player. He’s a guy who I pictured that, just like all the rest, would come in and start.”</p>
<p id="4fBUv6">Herro has already exceeded the early expectations. Now when Kentucky returns to play in its final preseason exhibitions and the opening game against Duke, he’ll have a lot more pressure on him. </p>
<p id="11dart">We’ll see if he can maintain that “humble swagger,” but there’s no doubt he’s going to be an integral part of Kentucky’s championship aspirations. </p>
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https://www.aseaofblue.com/kentucky-wildcats-basketball/2018/8/20/17756862/tyler-herro-receive-post-bahamas-praiseJeremy Chisenhall