Kentucky Basketball wins OT thriller vs. UCF: 4 things to know and postgame cheers
· Yahoo Sports
No. 23 Kentucky Basketball had to battle through adversity in its third and final exhibition game Wednesday night, eventually pulling away from UCF for a 90-76 overtime win inside Rupp Arena. With the regular-season opener against Manhattan set for Tuesday, Nov. 3, the Wildcats have one final opportunity to address their weaknesses before the games begin to count.
Although Kentucky came away with the win, the performance was far from perfect. The Wildcats struggled to establish a consistent offensive rhythm, experienced several scoring droughts, and allowed UCF to hang around long enough to force overtime.
Visit biznow.biz for more information.
Kentucky relied heavily on perimeter shooting throughout regulation, often settling for jump shots instead of attacking the basket and establishing a presence in the paint. That approach contributed to stretches when the offense struggled to generate points.
Defensively, the Wildcats also gave UCF too many open looks. The Knights took advantage of those opportunities and put together several runs, including a 12-3 stretch that helped them grab the lead.
However, Kentucky responded when it mattered most. The Wildcats found another gear in overtime, outscoring UCF to secure a 14-point victory and finish their exhibition schedule with a win.
While exhibition results do not affect the regular-season record, these games provide valuable opportunities to identify weaknesses and make adjustments before the competition intensifies.
Kentucky showed what it could do in its exhibition win over Texas Tech, but its performances against Little Rock and UCF showed there is still work to do. Head coach Mark Pope and his staff will need to build on the positives while addressing the team’s offensive and defensive inconsistencies.
With the regular season just around the corner, here are four things to know from Kentucky’s overtime victory over UCF.
1. Mason Williams Is Not Playing Like a Freshman
Mason Williams has emerged as one of the biggest surprises for this year’s Kentucky team. The four-star true freshman guard has made an impressive early statement during the exhibition schedule, showing confidence and an ability to contribute offensively.
Williams was perfect from the field in the first half against UCF, recording seven points on 3-of-3 shooting, including 1-of-1 from three-point range, along with one rebound.
He continued his strong performance in the second half, knocking down multiple three-pointers and reaching double figures once again.
Williams’ ability to knock down shots could become an important part of Kentucky’s offense as the season progresses. His scoring threat could also create more opportunities for teammates such as Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins.
The freshman also has an experienced basketball mind close by. His father, Mo Williams, enjoyed a lengthy NBA career and is now a member of Kentucky’s coaching staff.
If Williams continues to develop and build confidence, he could become a valuable contributor for the Wildcats throughout the season. His performances so far have given Kentucky another potential scoring option as it prepares for the regular-season opener.
2. Kentucky’s Scoring Droughts Continue
Despite earning the overtime victory, Kentucky’s offensive inconsistency remains a concern heading into the regular season.
The Wildcats struggled to score during several stretches against UCF, allowing the Knights to remain competitive and eventually force overtime.
In the first half, Kentucky made its first basket at the 19:42 mark but did not make another field goal until 14:53. That stretch lasted 4 minutes and 49 seconds of game time.
Another drought followed later in the half. After scoring at the 12:16 mark, the Wildcats did not make another basket until 9:55, going 2 minutes and 21 seconds between field goals.
The struggles continued after halftime. Kentucky scored at the 19:35 mark but did not make another field goal until 16:06, a span of 3 minutes and 29 seconds.
One of the most concerning stretches came between the 11:54 and 6:15 marks, when Kentucky went 5 minutes and 39 seconds without a field goal.
Those extended droughts made it difficult for the Wildcats to build separation and gave UCF opportunities to stay in the game.
Kentucky cannot afford to go several minutes without scoring consistently once the regular season begins. Similar offensive struggles hurt the Wildcats at times last season, contributing to losses and games that slipped away.
Fortunately, Kentucky has several players capable of providing scoring, including Milan Momcilovic, Malachi Moreno, Mason Williams and Ousmane N’Diaye. Kam Williams could also provide a boost when he returns to full health.
The challenge for Pope will be finding ways to get those players involved consistently while creating a more balanced offense. Kentucky’s overtime win was encouraging, but eliminating those scoring droughts will be critical moving forward.
3. Wildcats Must Play More Inside-Out
Kentucky’s offensive approach against UCF relied too heavily on perimeter shooting, with the Wildcats struggling to consistently attack the basket and establish a presence in the paint.
Rather than creating easier opportunities near the rim, Kentucky frequently settled for jump shots. When those attempts failed to fall, the offense became stagnant, contributing to the scoring droughts that allowed UCF to stay within striking distance.
Three-point shooting can be a major strength for this Kentucky roster, especially with a player like Momcilovic capable of stretching the floor. However, the Wildcats cannot rely on perimeter shots alone to generate offense.
Kentucky needs to establish a more effective inside-out approach. That could mean getting Moreno involved in the post, allowing guards to attack the basket, or using interior touches to create open perimeter opportunities.
When the Wildcats can establish an inside presence, opposing defenses must account for more than just the three-point line. That could create cleaner looks for Momcilovic and Kentucky’s other shooters while giving the offense more ways to score when outside shots are not falling.
The Wildcats have the personnel to score from multiple areas of the floor. Finding the right balance between perimeter shooting and attacking the paint will be one of the biggest priorities as the regular season approaches.
4. Kentucky Defense Has to Be Better
Kentucky’s defense also left plenty of room for improvement against UCF, even as the Wildcats eventually pulled away in overtime.
The Knights found too many open shots throughout the contest, creating opportunities to score without facing consistent defensive pressure. Although UCF did not capitalize on every opportunity, allowing that many clean looks could become a bigger problem against tougher competition.
UCF also put together several runs, including a 12-3 stretch that helped the Knights take the lead. Those momentum swings showed how quickly Kentucky’s defensive lapses could change the complexion of the game.
The Wildcats must do a better job of contesting shots, communicating on defense, and limiting the open opportunities opponents receive. They also need to respond more effectively when opposing teams begin building momentum.
While Kentucky ultimately found a way to win, the defensive performance showed that there is still room for improvement before the regular season begins.
The good news is that these issues surfaced during an exhibition game, giving Pope and his staff an opportunity to address them before the games count.
Now, let’s discuss the win!
Go Cats!!