Reminder: Blue/White Game Tonight

[Joneslab]

This one sort of snuck up on me because it seems to be happening earlier than usual, but the Blue/White scrimmage is tonight at 7:00 on the SEC Network. Set your DVR's accordingly.

Here's the full schedule in case anyone wants to refresh themselves on what's coming up. Kentucky plays one of its earliest exhibition games I can ever remember: October 27th against Georgetown College.

https://ukathletics.com/schedule.aspx?schedule=106

[KCKUKFan]

I'm excited for this season because it feels like I'm going into it completely fresh.

I know next to nothing about these new guys, and I didn't even get to see the BBM scrimmage, so I'm thoroughly stoked.

[TrueblueCATfan]

Always excited when basketball starts.....got tickets for Nov 1st game

[Lighthouse]

Excited to get a glimpse of what we have this year.

[Blue Heaven]

Caught most of the game. We should be a good defensive team. I wonder what the team steals record is for a season? Sestina will be a fan favorite. Plays with a lot of energy and has a nice looking jumper. He and Quickley were my biggest surprises. Quickley looks really good and he is such a mature young man. We are going to love this teams attitude. I am ready for some basketball!

[Joneslab]

Some thoughts:

* Quickley looks like a completely different player. His speed immediately jumped out. I wonder if he was just tentative last year playing behind the confident, brash Herro. With his shooting ability, if that burst I saw last night is legit then he might be our leading scorer this year. Really impressive change in just his overall demeanor and game--but of course we have to see him against real competition to be sure.

* The second player who jumped out to me was Whitney. It doesn't appear he can shoot, so that's a real negative in today's day and age. But he plays with tremendous energy. Goes after every ball. Of course offensively it's hard to tell with him because he was being guarded by the walk-on Canada much of the time, but what I liked about him was that he was relentless in chasing down balls out on the floor. Because he has some limitations offensively I think his progression might be slower than, say, Keldon Johnson's, but I like his upside much better. Better athlete, more live body, and he seems to have that same dogged tenacity Johnson had.

* Hagans is a really interesting point guard. He doesn't have the John Wall burst, but he has that sort of shiftiness out in space that great college point guards have. He broke down everybody who guarded him last night. If he can stay healthy--the way he plays makes him prone to getting banged up--I think he's in for a big year.

* Maxey looks like a gun, but he has that "it" we've seen from UK greats. He's going to have some huge games this year. Reminded me a little of Malik Monk. He and Whitney seem to both want the spotlight.

* Interesting change of play with the way we're going to use Sestina from the way Reid Travis was used last year. Sestina flattens out after every screen and looks for his shot. Obviously he's a much different type than the brawling, ugly-ball mentality of Travis. The thing about Sestina though is (1) can he guard, and (2) can he play that physical style you have to be able to play even if you're a stretch 4. He really didn't rebound much last night and that's going to be a concern with this team.

* Richards ran the floor a bit better. Still doesn't seem to have great instincts. Gets the ball ripped out too much. Seems to still be mechanical after the catch. Haven't seen nearly enough with Nick to make any grand proclamations about him, but he didn't really appear to be that much different last night. The one thing he does have is touch; is a better than average offensive player for his size. His problem seems to be making the move to get in position to score--and particularly holding on to the basketball.

* Disappointed in E.J. Went long stretches where he didn't really contribute. I'm not sure he can be a jumpshooter with his form; it's way too jerky and erratic. He can be an energy guy, a guy who chases down rebounds, a big live athlete in open space. But because of our lack of size we need him to be a factor in the halfcourt and obviously he didn't show it last year and I didn't see it last night.

* Impressed with both Brooks and Juzang. Juzang looks a bit slow for a guard, but he's big. I think he'll help this team, particularly if he can hit threes (we didn't see that from him last night). Brooks is a super interesting player; everything he shoots looks like it's going in. Crazy good touch for a player that size. His issue will be strength. I'm not sure he's ready to bang against older, tougher players yet. But offensively he looks way more advanced than someone like, say, PJ Washington was as a freshman.

* As Blue Heaven said, this team's defense looks like it should be its calling card. Freshmen often struggle out of the gate--as we saw last year, giving up 200 points a night to the first few teams we played--but having Hagans and Quickley back will be huge. Maxey and Whitney both look like they're capable of being elite defenders, but it takes time with young players.

* The lack of frontcourt depth is a major, monumental concern on this team. If the Richards and Montgomery we saw last night are really those guys, Kentucky is going to have to be basically flawless in the backcourt to beat decent teams.

* That said, the guardplay looks fantastic and as good as I've seen it at Kentucky in some time. If Quickley is as improved as they say, Kentucky will win a lot of games simply because our guards overpower the other team's backcourt. Getting Maxey to the point where he chills out a bit and plays within the team concept will be key, but he looks like he's willing. The type of player who plays with a smile on his face all the time. I think he'll be a fan favorite.

[Joneslab]

* Impressed with both Brooks and Juzang. Juzang looks a bit slow for a guard, but he's big. I think he'll help this team, particularly if he can hit threes (we didn't see that from him last night). Brooks is a super interesting player; everything he shoots looks like it's going in. Crazy good touch for a player that size. His issue will be strength. I'm not sure he's ready to bang against older, tougher players yet. But offensively he looks way more advanced than someone like, say, PJ Washington was as a freshman.

Going back to Keion Brooks, because I think he's the most interesting player on the team.

Reminded me a little of Wenyen Gabriel. Well, check that: he reminded me dead up of Wenyen at times.

Remember, the first five or six games of Gabriel's career, it looked like he was a star. Hit threes. Scored down low. Got in the way defensively. I thought we had a lottery pick.

The wall for Wenyen came fast, and when it did he basically drifted out of things his freshman year. Went a long time through the middle of that season where he just didn't register at all.

That's a lack of strength--and also I think Wenyen's confidence took a major hit when the shots started to clank.

I hope Brooks gives us more than that, because this team really needs help in the frontcourt. Brooks does look like he has more basketball savvy than Wenyen. Has a little bit of an old man, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander game going on. But strength and stamina throughout a 35+-game season is going to be huge for him.

[J.Jennings]

Some thoughts:

* Quickley looks like a completely different player. His speed immediately jumped out. I wonder if he was just tentative last year playing behind the confident, brash Herro. With his shooting ability, if that burst I saw last night is legit then he might be our leading scorer this year. Really impressive change in just his overall demeanor and game--but of course we have to see him against real competition to be sure.

* The second player who jumped out to me was Whitney. It doesn't appear he can shoot, so that's a real negative in today's day and age. But he plays with tremendous energy. Goes after every ball. Of course offensively it's hard to tell with him because he was being guarded by the walk-on Canada much of the time, but what I liked about him was that he was relentless in chasing down balls out on the floor. Because he has some limitations offensively I think his progression might be slower than, say, Keldon Johnson's, but I like his upside much better. Better athlete, more live body, and he seems to have that same dogged tenacity Johnson had.

* Hagans is a really interesting point guard. He doesn't have the John Wall burst, but he has that sort of shiftiness out in space that great college point guards have. He broke down everybody who guarded him last night. If he can stay healthy--the way he plays makes him prone to getting banged up--I think he's in for a big year.

* Maxey looks like a gun, but he has that "it" we've seen from UK greats. He's going to have some huge games this year. Reminded me a little of Malik Monk. He and Whitney seem to both want the spotlight.

* Interesting change of play with the way we're going to use Sestina from the way Reid Travis was used last year. Sestina flattens out after every screen and looks for his shot. Obviously he's a much different type than the brawling, ugly-ball mentality of Travis. The thing about Sestina though is (1) can he guard, and (2) can he play that physical style you have to be able to play even if you're a stretch 4. He really didn't rebound much last night and that's going to be a concern with this team.

* Richards ran the floor a bit better. Still doesn't seem to have great instincts. Gets the ball ripped out too much. Seems to still be mechanical after the catch. Haven't seen nearly enough with Nick to make any grand proclamations about him, but he didn't really appear to be that much different last night. The one thing he does have is touch; is a better than average offensive player for his size. His problem seems to be making the move to get in position to score--and particularly holding on to the basketball.

* Disappointed in E.J. Went long stretches where he didn't really contribute. I'm not sure he can be a jumpshooter with his form; it's way too jerky and erratic. He can be an energy guy, a guy who chases down rebounds, a big live athlete in open space. But because of our lack of size we need him to be a factor in the halfcourt and obviously he didn't show it last year and I didn't see it last night.

* Impressed with both Brooks and Juzang. Juzang looks a bit slow for a guard, but he's big. I think he'll help this team, particularly if he can hit threes (we didn't see that from him last night). Brooks is a super interesting player; everything he shoots looks like it's going in. Crazy good touch for a player that size. His issue will be strength. I'm not sure he's ready to bang against older, tougher players yet. But offensively he looks way more advanced than someone like, say, PJ Washington was as a freshman.

* As Blue Heaven said, this team's defense looks like it should be its calling card. Freshmen often struggle out of the gate--as we saw last year, giving up 200 points a night to the first few teams we played--but having Hagans and Quickley back will be huge. Maxey and Whitney both look like they're capable of being elite defenders, but it takes time with young players.

* The lack of frontcourt depth is a major, monumental concern on this team. If the Richards and Montgomery we saw last night are really those guys, Kentucky is going to have to be basically flawless in the backcourt to beat decent teams.

* That said, the guardplay looks fantastic and as good as I've seen it at Kentucky in some time. If Quickley is as improved as they say, Kentucky will win a lot of games simply because our guards overpower the other team's backcourt. Getting Maxey to the point where he chills out a bit and plays within the team concept will be key, but he looks like he's willing. The type of player who plays with a smile on his face all the time. I think he'll be a fan favorite.

Did not watch it but thanks for the breakdown, will take your word for it.

[Blue Heaven]

I focused on Richards quite a bit. He is just not strong enough with the ball and seems to think too much and not react. One instance he received a pass on the right block. Juzang was open in the corner. The double team comes and instead of holding the ball high, he brings it down while trying to pass to Juzang. The ball is deflected and stolen. He has got to correct issues such as that in order for us to have an effective post game. That play should've been Basketball 101.

[lilproUK98]

Going back to Keion Brooks, because I think he's the most interesting player on the team.

Reminded me a little of Wenyen Gabriel. Well, check that: he reminded me dead up of Wenyen at times.

Remember, the first five or six games of Gabriel's career, it looked like he was a star. Hit threes. Scored down low. Got in the way defensively. I thought we had a lottery pick.

The wall for Wenyen came fast, and when it did he basically drifted out of things his freshman year. Went a long time through the middle of that season where he just didn't register at all.

That's a lack of strength--and also I think Wenyen's confidence took a major hit when the shots started to clank.

I hope Brooks gives us more than that, because this team really needs help in the frontcourt. Brooks does look like he has more basketball savvy than Wenyen. Has a little bit of an old man, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander game going on. But strength and stamina throughout a 35+-game season is going to be huge for him.

I've been anticipating Brooks being a pleasant surprise and so far, I am seeing that. He is a glue guy, can mix it up, get loose balls and rebounds well on both ends. I was courtside behind the basket last night and he is very long and will be a stat sheet stuffer, but also do the little things that win games, and he can make free throws. He's gonna be a big asset to the team and will provide a spark and depth inside. I love what he brings. To me, he is much more impactful than Wenyen, unless you're talking about Wenyen getting hot from 3. He's not quite to that level outside, but a difference maker in the paint and with hustle plays.

[Ratt]

My takes mimic some of Wills:

1. Quickly looks super fast and ready to take a major step forward.
2. Hagans was aggressive on the offensive side of the ball. My fear is that he is going to be their go-to and I'm sorry - I still don't like him shooting and if he's your go to guy and jacking 3s everywhere like last night - I'm afraid it might be a long season.
3. Brooks - I think he's the biggest key to the team right now. I'm not sold at all on EJ and Richards - I think those two looked the same and no better than they were.
4. Maxey - This guy. He's infectious. I liked the way that he really played unselfishly and although his shot is ugly as they come, he's seems to be a decent shooter.
5.Whitney - Not sure what to expect. As Will stated, seemed very active but can't shoot a lick. Not sure how Cal keeps getting these great athletes that can't shoot. Maybe a version of Kidd-Gilchrist. We'll see.
6. Sestina - He's not a banger but seemed to play decent D as Will suggested. He does like to screen and roll and look for his shot. He's going to provide some O out there.

The things that scare me - no one to body anyone down low. Richards and EJ are going to get shoved around. The bigs are scary and could be really bad. Not sure of the shooting ability yet of many of these guys and that could be scary due to the lack of the bigs play. But it's one scrimmage - it can all go right and the team could be very good or it could go wrong and could be a rough one. We'll see.

[Blue Heaven]

I've been anticipating Brooks being a pleasant surprise and so far, I am seeing that. He is a glue guy, can mix it up, get loose balls and rebounds well on both ends. I was courtside behind the basket last night and he is very long and will be a stat sheet stuffer, but also do the little things that win games, and he can make free throws. He's gonna be a big asset to the team and will provide a spark and depth inside. I love what he brings. To me, he is much more impactful than Wenyen, unless you're talking about Wenyen getting hot from 3. He's not quite to that level outside, but a difference maker in the paint and with hustle plays.

Good take there and I thought the same thing.

[Blue Heaven]

I saw the graphic last night that we have like 7 guys with at least a 7 foot wingspan. Steals and deflections shouldn't be a problem with this team.

[Lighthouse]

I never like these early scrimmage games. The kids are not playing together yet and even though Cal said he wanted the officials to call the fouls, all three did more chewing on their whistles than blowing them. I hope the coaches got something out of it.

[Blue Heaven]

I never like these early scrimmage games. The kids are not playing together yet and even though Cal said he wanted the officials to call the fouls, all three did more chewing on their whistles than blowing them. I hope the coaches got something out of it.

I don't like scrimmage games against our own team.