Kentucky wins by one million over Morehouse: What we learned

It’s rare that a basketball team at any level wins by 85 points at any level. It may as well have been one million. Morehouse, from the outset, was completely overmatched and Kentucky clearly got the message sent by John Calipari after their first exhibition game that was a tad closer.

As Nick has eluded to in an earlier post today saying that “It was just Morehouse,” Morehouse clearly had no business being on the same floor as Kentucky last night. But the same could have been said against Transylvania last week. Regardless of the opponent, Kentucky did exactly what everyone hoped that they would in their second showing, and that was to execute the game plan. Regardless of the opponent, if this team executes, they will have wins by wide margins all season, yes, that means Division I opponents.

Calipari asked his team to play with more intensity. Check. He asked for improvement from the post position. Check. He asked his team to rebound better and own the glass. Check. He asked for the team to play better defense, force more turnovers, and get out in the fast break. Check. Kentucky improved immensely from game one to game two. They played so well in the first ten minutes that my father said that he liked Kentucky’s chances to win their eighth National Title. I told him to temper his enthusiasm just a tad. But they played well. Very well in fact.

What was most impressive was the defensive intensity all game that was displayed from the top players in the rotation. The full-court press applied by Kentucky was stifling, and they will have similar success this season with it, no matter the opponent. Their length and athleticism is easily their strength this season, and they are a highly skilled team. Calipari has stressed defense all preseason and that is precisely why. He knows that his team can get steals and deflections that will lead to easy baskets. That was on display last night. Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will excel in that defensive system.

But they also showed how effective they could be in a zone. Calipari has always been a man-to-man coach, but he said last night that there is a good chance the play a lot of zone because of the ability of their personnel. Usually teams go to zone when they can’t defend man-to-man. Calipari may go to a zone because they defend so well that a zone may be their strength rather than an alternative to bad man-to-man. You will see both this year.

Kyle Wiltjer showed all of Big Blue Nation just how talented he is. While he still has a ways to go to add some weight and strength to be a top big in the nation, his range from the perimeter and skill-set in the post allows him to be affective. He has some touch around the basket, and everyone finally saw the much anticipated hook shot that looked absolutely perfect with the left hand. Wiltjer led all Kentucky scorers with 26 points on the night. That’s getting it done.

Teague is in love with all of the weapons he has. He may break many Kentucky single season or game assist records this year. He is going to find Davis, Kidd-Gilchrist and Jones several times for lobs around the rim. He jump shot continues to impress and this kid is going to just get better and better.

If Eloy Vargas can give Kentucky half of what Josh Harrelson gave the Cats last year, he will have a great season. Vargas does not have the responsibility that Harrelson had bestowed upon him last year. Vargas will not have to start or play big minutes. All he has to do is be a big body, defend, get a couple of stick backs and rebound the basketball. I saw improvement from him in all of those just last night.

There are many positives to take away from last night. It was fun, and often comical to watch. Kentucky executed the things they needed to last night and Calipari was happy with the performance of his team with little to complain about. He knows they have to get better, and this Friday will give them another chance to do so in the first real game of the season. If these guys continue to build on what they did last night, Kentucky fans should be prepared for a fun and entertaining season. Or it could be really boring if Kentucky continues to blow teams out by a million.