Samuell Williamson: Sophomore wing was McDonald’s All-American but freshman year disappointed had 17 in season opener but got hurt in 2nd game and missed next 2 another solid rebounder from wing but turnover prone very good mid-range shooter who plays off Jones/Johnson wellĭre Davis: Stout freshman wing has been strong inside arc (64% 2pt%) but off-target outside (28% 3pt%) Has not been good rebounder despite 6’5” 220lb frame very good in transition Keion Brooks: Has not played yet this season due to calf injury, but expected to be major piece Was role player last season but offered rebounding and defensive presence Was not a shooter last season but UK forwards tend to expand shooting range as sophomoresĬarlik Jones: Grad transfer guard has been the offensive engine for UofL hitting 50% of his threes (7-14) but only 16% from midrange, and has taken more shots from midrange than anywhere shortest player on either roster (6’1”) but solid rebounder recently missed game recovering from bout with COVID-19ĭavid Johnson: Expected to make leap into NBA lottery status as sophomore but has been uneven excellent passer and finisher at rim but shaky shooter and prone to turnovers uses size (6’5”) and athleticism to create steals Olivier Sarr: Wake Forest transfer has had mixed results settles for midrange too often, and was invisibile vs UNC (0 FGAs, 5 PF) not a rim protector and has been plagued by foul trouble Isaiah Jackson: Pogo stick but rail-thin freshman big Terrific rebounder and shotblocker (both on and off ball) little offensive game to speak of but will take midrange jumpers has been prone to foul trouble Terrence Clarke: Dynamic and athletic wing can create his own shot off dribble Strong floater game (8-10 so far) and excellent finisher at rim (9-12) but doesn’t get to rim often enough Capable defender who uses athleticism and length to challenge shotsĭevin Askew: Struggled mightily with turnovers and was benched, but has settled down last 3 games Most dynamic distributor in halfcourt on team struggles to finish at rim absolute bulldog on defense who can contain dribble penetrationĭavion Mintz: Grad transfer combo guard has stepped in as starting PG Was solid 3 point shooter at Creighton but has struggled there in halfcourt offense (2-13) pesky defender who combines with Askew to force turnovers With that said, let’s get knee-deep into each team!īrandon Boston: Freshman wing came in with pedigree as scoring dynamo but has struggled this season Most 3PA on team (29) but has made only 5 (17%) can get lost on defense and vulnerable to cuts solid rebounder despite thin frame Kentucky has alternated between very good stretches of play and horrible stretches, usually within the same game Louisville has been steadier and avoids prolonged poor stretches in gamesĪn underappreciated strength from Kentucky is the on-ball defense of Devin Askew and Davion Mintz they may be able to stymie Louisville’s David Johnson and Carlik Jones, but Kentucky will need to drastically improve to score enough to win this game The two teams have had similar weaknesses with turnovers (for and against), as well as defending the rim…whichever team does better in these areas will probably win This is going to be one of my longer articles as I analyze both Louisville and Kentucky…if you’re more the type who likes dessert before dinner, here are the highlights: Louisville is 5-1, but had a significant break due to COVID-19 in the program and it’s still unclear how that is affecting them. Kentucky comes in with their season in peril, at 1-5 with reports of inner turmoil. It’s another edition of the Battle for the Bluegrass.