Kentucky basketball came into Rupp Arena on Tuesday following back-to-back wins that included responding to adversity in a big way, but it was also the first time Kentucky has been fully healthy all season. It sounds obvious, but it’s true. When this Kentucky team is healthy, they’re scary, and when they made their big runs in the last two games, Jaland Lowe and Mo Dioubate, as well as Jayden Quaintance, with the exception of the Indiana game, were all finally on the floor together.
On Tuesday, the Wildcats welcomed an in-state opponent Bellarmine into Rupp Arena, and it was an opportunity to continue building on all of the momentum and confidence that the team has presented over the last two games, and they were able to get that done after having to work through major adversity in the last two games as well as the first half on Tuesday. No Jaland Lowe, as he was held out of Tuesday’s game as a precaution after going out for a period of time during the last two games aggravating his shoulder. It was a very slow start without Lowe, especially defensively, but the Wildcats were able to get their stuff together eventually thanks to another performance where the second half saves the day, specifically the offense, finally getting their shooting in order.
Kam Williams led the Wildcats with an amazing performance of 26 points on 8-10 shooting from three, as well as Mo Dioubate with 20. Let’s take a look at a few takeaways from the win.
Kentucky missed Jaland Lowe’s infectious energy, especially on defense
Kentucky got tested in a big way early, mainly on defense, allowing 38 points in the first half, and it stayed throughout the game, allowing 47 points in the second half as well. Jaland Lowe is the engine of this Kentucky team. It’s very clear, and everyone who has watched Kentucky play this season knows that. Lowe was held out of Tuesday’s game as a precaution, and his absence was noticable, even against a Bellarmine team who is ultimately ranked 260th in the country. They tested the Wildcats on both ends, but offensively, it was very sloppy play early from Kentucky, and it was a result of not having Lowe on the floor to help create. Defensively, well, the effort was lacking, and Bellarmine was able to get to the rim with ease. The Knights rank as one of the best teams in the country at getting to the line, and it showed. They shot 26-30 from the line on Tuesday, a huge part in their offense finding success throughout, combined with their ability to capitalize off sloppy play…