No. 23 Kentucky Basketball was back in action Friday night, welcoming James Madison to Rupp Arena. While the performance was far from perfect, the Wildcats did enough to come away with an 89-80 victory and improve their record to 2-0 on the season.
Kentucky had several players step up offensively, with six Wildcats reaching double figures. Alex Wilkins and Zoom Diallo led the way with 16 points apiece, while Justin McBride added 13. Mason Williams finished with 12 points, Braydon Hawthorne contributed
10, and Milan Momcilovic had seven.
McBride was particularly impressive against his former team. The forward provided a much-needed spark, knocking down multiple 3-pointers and finding ways to contribute offensively when Kentucky needed it most.
However, Momcilovic had a much quieter night after an impressive debut against Manhattan. He scored 24 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including 6-of-9 from beyond the arc, in Kentucky’s season opener. Against James Madison, he struggled to find the basket and finished with just seven points. While opposing defenses will certainly make life difficult for one of the best shooters in college basketball, Kentucky will need to find ways to get him more comfortable looks.
Another notable development was the return of Kam Williams, who made his season debut after undergoing a second surgery to address his Jones fracture. Williams understandably looked a little rusty in his first game back, but getting him valuable minutes before Tuesday’s matchup against Kansas was an encouraging development.
Ultimately, Kentucky has plenty to clean up. The Wildcats struggled with defensive communication and ball movement for stretches, allowing James Madison to hang around when it felt like they were on the verge of pulling away.
There were positives, especially during the second half, when Kentucky’s offense began to move the ball more effectively and knock down shots. The Wildcats also reached double digits in made 3-pointers, helping them create some separation.
Still, if Kentucky wants to compete against Kansas and the difficult opponents waiting on its schedule, the Wildcats will need to show significant improvement in several areas.
Here are four things to know from win No. 2.
1. Kentucky must improve defense and ball movement
As mentioned earlier, Kentucky’s defense will need to improve considerably moving forward. The Wildcats had too many possessions where their communication broke down, leaving James Madison players wide open around the perimeter.
At times, multiple Kentucky defenders appeared to gravitate toward the same player, allowing the Dukes to find open teammates and get comfortable looks from 3-point range. James Madison took advantage of those opportunities, knocking down more than 10 3-pointers and keeping the game competitive.
Kentucky cannot afford to have those same defensive breakdowns against better competition. Opponents such as Kansas will have the players to make the Wildcats pay whenever they lose track of shooters or fail to communicate defensively.
Offensively, Kentucky also struggled to consistently get the ball inside the 3-point line. Too often, the Wildcats settled into a perimeter-heavy attack, with players standing around rather than creating movement and opportunities for one another.
The offense looked noticeably better midway through the second half when Kentucky started moving the ball, getting into the paint, and finding open shooters. That is the type of offensive approach the Wildcats need to carry into their upcoming games.
Kentucky has enough talent to score with just about anyone, but that talent needs better decision-making, ball movement, and defensive effort to complement it. Otherwise, it could be a frustrating season for the Wildcats.
2. Kentucky backcourt starting to find rhythm
One of the biggest positives through the first two games has been the improvement from Kentucky’s backcourt.
During the exhibition season, Zoom Diallo struggled to find his footing. However, he has looked much more comfortable since the regular season began. After showing improvement against Manhattan, Diallo followed it up with another strong performance against James Madison, finishing with 16 points.
His ability to create opportunities offensively and contribute in other areas makes him an important piece of Kentucky’s rotation. If Diallo continues to build confidence, he could become a major difference-maker for this team.
Wilkins also finished with 16 points, showing how valuable he can be when he is on the floor. Foul trouble limited his opportunities early, but he made a bigger impact as the game progressed. His scoring ability gives Kentucky another player who can create offense and help the Wildcats find their rhythm.
Freshman guard Mason Williams continues to impress as well. He finished with 12 points and has already shown an ability to make smart decisions beyond his years. Whether it is knocking down an important shot or creating an opportunity for a teammate, Williams has looked comfortable handling his responsibilities.
Having multiple guards capable of scoring and creating for others will be important as Kentucky faces tougher competition.
3. Justin McBride provides much-needed spark
The forward position needed someone to step up, and McBride delivered against his former team.
McBride finished with 13 points, knocking down multiple 3-pointers and providing Kentucky with an offensive boost. His performance was especially important during stretches when the Wildcats struggled to generate consistent offense.
He brought energy to the floor and helped Kentucky find some momentum in the second half. Having a forward who can contribute from the perimeter while also providing a spark offensively gives the Wildcats another dimension.
Kentucky will need to continue getting production from its forwards throughout the season. McBride and Ousmane N’Diaye will be important pieces in that effort, particularly as the Wildcats look to establish a more consistent presence at the position.
Braydon Hawthorne also contributed 10 points, giving Kentucky another valuable scoring option. If those players can continue making an impact, it will take some of the pressure off the backcourt and Momcilovic.
4. Milan Momcilovic needs to find his rhythm
There was plenty of excitement surrounding Momcilovic’s commitment to Kentucky, and for good reason. He is one of the best 3-point shooters in college basketball and showed exactly what he could bring to the Wildcats during his season debut.
His 24-point performance against Manhattan was impressive, but Friday night against James Madison was a different story. Momcilovic finished with seven points and struggled to find his shooting rhythm, going 2/9 overall and 1/8 from deep.
It is important not to overreact to one quieter performance. Opposing defenses know what he is capable of, and teams will likely make a point of limiting his opportunities from beyond the arc.
That means Kentucky needs to do a better job creating open looks for him. Better ball movement, off-ball screens, and getting the ball inside could help Momcilovic find more space on the perimeter.
The Wildcats don’t need him to score 20-plus points every night, but they do need to make sure he stays involved offensively.
Looking Ahead
Kentucky got the win, and that is ultimately what matters most. However, the Wildcats have plenty of work to do before Tuesday’s clash with Kansas.
Kam Williams’ return, the continued development of the backcourt, and McBride’s performance were all encouraging signs. At the same time, defensive communication, ball movement, and ability to create consistent offensive opportunities must improve.
The Wildcats have a much tougher test waiting for them against Kansas. If they want to come away with another victory, they will need a more complete performance from start to finish.
For now, Kentucky is 2-0, but the Wildcats know they still have plenty of room to improve.
Now, let’s discuss the win!
