Kentucky Basketball beats Georgetown College: Recap, 4 takeaways, and postgame cheers

Get ready for the season opener on November 6th

• By
  
  Greg Goins
  
• on October 27, 2023 9:01 pm

The Kentucky Wildcats made their season debut against Georgetown College, winning 92-69 in an exhibition game at Rupp Arena

The Wildcats had a slow start, with turnovers and a 4/11 shooting from the field. However, they managed to maintain a 35-34 lead at halftime.

Kentucky gained momentum in the second half, leading 65-52 with 9:31 remaining. Tre Mitchell scored a team-high 22 points, while Antonio Reeves added 18. Cam Brooks-Harris led Georgetown College with 21 points.

Adou Thiero contributed with 10 points, five rebounds, four steals, and four assists.

Here are four key takeaways from Kentucky’s victory:

UK offense shines with Antonio Reeves

Antonio Reeves is a crucial player for Kentucky’s offense. He shot nearly 50% from the field and provided stability for the team. Reeves needs to make open shots and contribute to the transition game.

DJ Wagner and Rob Dillingham also showed their defensive prowess and made important shots. Dillingham finished with 16 points and five assists, while Wagner struggled with 4 points.

Overall, Kentucky had a high-scoring game despite its top two players not performing well.

Reed Sheppard makes an impact off the bench

Reed Sheppard impressed Coach John Calipari and had a positive impact on the game. He made important shots and provided a spark for the team.

Justin Edwards also contributed with nine points and eight rebounds.

Challenges with “Small Ball” lineup

Without their 7-footers, Kentucky faced challenges on the interior. They had to rely on players like Adou Thiero, Tre Mitchell, and Jordan Burks to rebound and defend the post.

Georgetown College had more blocks and points in the paint, highlighting the need for improvement in this area.

Rebounding help from Justin Edwards and the guards is crucial until the Kentucky bigs return to action.

The eligibility of Zvonimir Ivišić is still pending approval from the NCAA.

The Georgetown Connection

Georgetown College, located near Rupp Arena, has a successful basketball program. Its head coach, Chris Briggs, has ties to Kentucky as a former student manager and graduate assistant.

Notable alumni from Georgetown College include Dave “Buzz” Baker, a sports anchor for WKYT.

Kentucky will wrap up their exhibition schedule against Kentucky State University before the season opener against the New Mexico State Aggies at Rupp Arena.

Share your biggest takeaway from tonight’s game in the comments section!

Go Cats!