Saturday’s game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the UNC Greensboro Spartans should provide an action-packed afternoon at Rupp Arena. The Spartans are expected to be Kentucky’s tallest task since the Wildcats’ season-opener with the Duke Blue Devils.
While Kentucky has won six straight since their loss to Duke, the competition has been anything but superior.
Kentucky’s 46-point win over Monmouth was an eye-opener for the early part of the season, but the team will need to play even more efficient on Saturday in order to claim victory.
Tyler Herro’s emergence by not only scoring but also distributing and rebounding the basketball has increased the team’s balance in offense. Quade Green has also been efficient from behind the three-point arc and running the offense.
Backcourt production has been a comforting echo to Kentucky’s bread and butter: the painted area. Kentucky has destroyed opponents on both the glass and scoring differential around the rim.
A few players to watch for on Saturday are Ashton Hagans and EJ Montgomery, both freshman who boast supreme upside.
Hagans saw extended time with the ball in his hands during the team’s win over Monmouth, while Montgomery is gradually coming into his own on both ends of the court.
As the season moves along, head coach John Calipari expects his team to improve from three-point land. Defensive miscues, though, seem to be from an effort standpoint. However, judging by the season-best 44 points Kentucky allowed to Monmouth, those efforts seem to be coming full-circle at the right time.
Tip-off is set for 1 P.M. EDT.