When Mark Pope declared at media day in September that Kentucky had the potential to be an “elite defensive team,” it was easy to dismiss that optimism as wishful thinking.
Pope’s system is known for 3-point shooting, and his newest roster is heavy on players whose first focus has been putting up points.
But as the No. 23 Wildcats took down No. 19 Texas Tech 76-65 in their second preseason exhibition Friday night at Rupp Arena, Pope’s projection started to seem a lot more realistic.
“I thought Kentucky’s length really bothered us,” Texas Tech coach Grant McCasland said. “They did it without fouling. … At the end of the day, getting to the free-throw line looked like it was the difference. We couldn’t generate enough physicality at the rim and drawing foul pressure to make a difference in the game, and I thought they could.”
Kentucky outscored Texas Tech 19-5 at the free-throw line. The Red Raiders attempted just six free throws in the game.
Pope’s motto to players throughout the summer has been, “Length is our strength.” In the first real exhibition test, that proved true.
The game turned in the first half when 7-footer Malachi Moreno leapt to intercept an inbounds pass under the Texas Tech basket. He pushed the ball ahead to 6-foot-6 guard Alex Wilkins, who then launched a three-quarters-court pass to 7-footer Ousmane N’Diaye sprinting toward the basket. N’Diaye finished through contact and converted a free throw for a three-point play.
On the next Texas Tech possession, Kentucky forced a shot-clock violation. After a Moreno dunk, Kentucky took advantage of another Red Raiders turnover to set up a Milan Momcilovic 3-pointer.
Four straight Texas Tech possessions ended in turnovers as part of a 15-0 Kentucky run that turned a seven-point deficit into an eight-point lead. Kentucky never trailed again.
“They stayed underneath us well,” McCasland said. “There wasn’t a lot of confusion, and their ability to take away rhythm shots and make you bounce it into the paint and stay attached was good. I thought their length on the ball screens was good too.
“We had some guys open at the rim and couldn’t deliver the ball to the other side, take advantage of their closeouts. Just couldn’t get it moved fast enough. That’s a real thing in college basketball.”
Kentucky forward Milan Momcilovic (22) defends Texas Tech guard Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (4) during a game at Rupp Arena on Friday. The Wildcats’ defenisve length gave the Red Raiders problems. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
McCasland credited Moreno for altering shots around the rim, even though Texas Tech made some difficult baskets over his outstretched arm. N’Diaye contributed a block.
But it was Wilkins who might have shown the most defensive growth in the second exhibition.
“He showed me something tonight with his engagement on the defensive end,” Pope said. “I’m so proud of him. It’s not the way he usually defines his game. His effort was elite, his effort and focus and intentionality on the defensive end.
“If he can live in that space consistently, then we got a young man that can really grow into a big-time player.”
Wilkins hit just 2 of 7 3-point attempts but finished the game with 14 points, thanks in large part to a 5-for-6 mark at the free throw line. When Texas Tech made a second-half rally to tie the game at 54 with 8:18 remaining, it was Wilkins who Pope tasked with running the team down the stretch.
He was credited with three steals, but his energy on the defensive side proved useful beyond his stat line.
“I’m not the best defensive player ever, but it’s really just effort,” Wilkins said. “I’m just working on it every day, day in and day out with Coach (Mark) Fox and Coach Pope, watching a ton of film. Just continue to build. I mean, I’m not a finished product. Just gonna continue to build.”
Texas Tech, which shot 46.8% from the field last season and ranked 14th nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency, shot 40.6% from the field and 26.7% from 3-point range Friday.
Before the game, Pope offered a reminder of how the Wildcats’ exhibition win over No. 1 Purdue last season mattered little in the long run since that team lost an exhibition six days later to a Georgetown team that finished the regular season with a losing record. That lesson should go a long way toward tempering any hype that comes from the Texas Tech win.
But Pope has repeatedly described the three preseason exhibitions as part of a training camp that is designed to help him learn more about his team.
For one night at least, the lesson appears to be that the potential he already saw on the defensive end might be closer to reality than expected.
“Our length really bothered them in the first half, and we kind of turned them more into an isolation team,” Moreno said. “I think when it’s ISO against us, our length really, really takes advantage there.”
Lexington Herald-Leader
Jon Hale is the University of Kentucky football beat writer for the Lexington Herald-Leader. He joined the Herald-Leader in 2022 but has covered UK athletics for more than 10 years. Hale was named the 2021 Kentucky Sportswriter of the Year.
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