Look, the vibes aren’t great now. Fans are angry, concerned, and critical. This is what happens when you lose to your biggest rival and potentially lose your top point guard for the foreseeable future.
But this is Kentucky basketball. Fans care. For some, it’s their livelihood.
Mark Pope’s postgame press conference lasted just about five minutes Tuesday night. He doesn’t take losing well, especially to Louisville.
Then came the curious “out of character” quote from his press conference on Thursday. It’s poignant right now, for obvious reasons. He may be in a funk, but the time to respond starts Friday night against Eastern Illinois, before another marquee game against Michigan State in New York next Tuesday night.
Let’s look at the keys to Friday night’s game.
Keys to the Game
1. Impose your will on the glass
Kentucky has been rebounding the ball effectively through three games, despite the loss to Louisville. Eastern Illinois averages 36 rebounds per game, making this a key statistic and a key factor in this game, but it also allows 39.3 rebounds per game. That’s an advantage for Kentucky.
2. Utilize your depth
The Panthers have only played 10 players through three games this season. That’s a problem with the depth Kentucky can bring into the game off its bench. Wearing down the Panthers could happen early in this game.
3. Take care of the ball
This is what cost the Wildcats the game on Tuesday in Louisville. They need to get back to a semblance of what Valparaiso looked like.
4. Shot selection
Makes will come from beyond the arc, but this team isn’t built right now to jack up a bunch of three-pointers. There’s a better chance they’ll shoot themselves out of the game than go on a big run hoisting up a bunch of three-pointers. That’s why taking more high-percentage shots is key on Friday night and every game this season.
Score Prediction: Wildcats 84 – Panthers 53
This game should not be close. Again, the vibes aren’t great surrounding Kentucky right now, but this is a game it should win handily.
