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Kentucky’s Kenny Brooks era began on Monday with a dominant win against South Carolina Upstate. The final score was 98-43, and there were a few big takeaways that could be an indication of how this season will go for the Wildcats.
The Clara Towers could be a problem
Clara Silva and Clara Strack make up one of the tallest front courts in all of college basketball. At 6-foot-7 and 6-foot-5 respectively, both Claras absolutely had their way on the defensive end against SC Upstate. The sophomore Strack finished with a game-high 22 points on 7-for-11 shooting and 8-for-9 from the free throw line. Silva, a freshman, came off the bench and was 6-for-6 from the field and finished with six blocks. Their presence down low made any shot in the paint almost impossible for SC Upstate
As for offense, both Claras were a big part of the offense, Kentucky often threw the ball into them at the mid-post and let them go to work. Both Silva and Strack have good low-post footwork and were comfortable turning over their shoulder for fading jumpers. Perhaps the most important part of these possessions is the spacing the Wildcats were able to create, oftentimes having one of the guards clear out the strong side corner, giving them more space to operate.
Strack, like two-time First Team All-ACC selection Georgia Amoore, is a Virginia Tech transfer. It’s only one game, but it is looking like Strack could be the next Liz Kitley, operating as the frontcourt offensive centerpiece for Brooks. With Silva being one of the taller players in the conference, it’s possible she could lead the SEC in blocks this season.
Length is Key
It’s hard to gauge how effective players like Amoore and senior Cassidy Rowe can be this season, but it’s clear that the Wildcats are going to surround their smaller guards with ridiculous length at every position. What really stood out from their win against SC Upstate is how important versatile wings like Teonni Key, a junior who transferred from North Carolina, will be for this Wildcats’ defense. Key finished with a steal and three blocks in the game. Leaning on experienced players like redshirt senior Dazia Lawrence, who played four seasons for Charlotte, will be crucial as well. In the first half, Lawrence showed great defensive instincts, anticipating and jumping a pindown action to get a steal and easy points on the other end.
How will the offense look?
One of the most interesting developments of the Wildcats’ season opener was the difference in offensive efficiency when SC Upstate was in man versus zone. There was a stretch in the first half where the Wildcats went on a 17-2 run. The Spartans went zone and the Wildcats scored only four points in the final four minutes of the first half.
It’s important to emphasize that there will be growing pains in the first month of the season; however, this defensive change not only took away the Wildcats’ pick-and-roll because the Spartans were switching, but it also forced Strack to catch the ball further away from the basket. This Wildcats team lacks quality outside shooting, which could be a concern as they get closer to conference play. Crashing the glass and getting points inside will be crucial, while also unlocking Amoore’s playmaking.
There was a play during that four minute stretch where Kentucky missed the chance to run Amoore off a flare screen. Not only was the screen never set, but Amoore drifted away from the screen and closer to the action of the play, which killed the spacing. It’s only one play, but I wonder if the Wildcats will explore running Amoore off-ball to unlock some more creativity in their halfcourt offense.
Overall, the Wildcats had a very impressive showing on opening night, and if this game was any indication of what the Kenny Brooks era will look like in Kentucky, then the Wildcats are in for a good season
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