Almost Stopping the No. 1 Ranked Team, Can Kentucky Repeat Their Heroics Against Miami?

The Kentucky Wildcats came close to trumping the Kansas Jayhawks when they smashed 84 points in response to the Jayhawks’ 89. Their guards Antonio Reeves and Rob Dillingham gave a swoon-worthy performance, basketing 24 and 18 points respectively. Another of their guard Adou Thiero grabbed 13 rebounds and scored a double-double, potting 16 points. The Kentucky have thus proven themselves to be a team of great potential but amiss in luck. All eyes will be set on them once again when they enter the court to lock horns with the Miami Hurricanes.

While the Kentucky have a 5-1 record, the Hurricanes have an undefeated run of 5-0. But can the Kentucky repeat their heroics, not only coming close this time but rather upending the Miami? 

Can the Wildcats win this?

Antonio Reeves displays his A-game when his teammates Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard are in a rhythm. Averaging a respectable 14.5 points in this NCAA, guard DJ Wagner has also proven his mettle and needs to get going for the night.

The Miami are not expected to defend a lot and the match will more be of transitional offense where the Kentucky will have to make the most of it using their agility and size. If the Kentucky trump the Miami, then it will be a confidence booster for them.

The Miami must have taken a few points about how Kentucky almost equaled Kansas by a close margin of 84-89, so it will be a big mistake to overlooki the potential of the Wildcats. The Miami will not presume that the Kentucky is a young team and easy to defeat. 

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Even if the Kentucky might not win tonight, they’re going to be a great team in the long run. But most probably, the game is going in the Jim Larrañaga-coached team’s favour. Where the Kentucky lacks is that their mainstay player DJ Wagner is still figuring out his game whereas the Hurricanes have the secret sauce that helps them win.

Hurricane Can Hit Kentucky

The Hurricane’s guard Nijel Pack has shown great game awareness and plays to his strengths and weaknesses. On the other hand, their forward Norchad Omier is too good for his size and will definitely be difficult for the Kentucky’s center Tre Mitchell to stop. Omier is one of the top perimeter guards if not the best.

The Kentucky’s head coach John Calipari seems to have cracked the perfect offensive plan. He’s using it to pull five men out. Tackling Omier will be an issue for them since he can guard out there.

Their other guard Wooga Poplar is also great in his game and will continue to amp it up. He has not made anyone miss their departing guard Isaiah Wong. Poplar has been shooting 59.4% three-pointers which is a testament to his improvement from last year when he could only drop 37.5%.

But the Kentucky can win if they guard Poplar and Matthew Cleveland right. Reeves will have to limit his shots and has to take full advantage of his 44.7% accuracy in the three-pointers.

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Dillingham much similar to Reeves has shot his 50% 3-pointers. Wagner will have to contain his opponents and also be at the top of his game, whereas their guard Sheppard will have to make his presence felt. Their other guard Adieo Thiero will have to contribute in the team effort.