Wildcats Today

Takeaways: Hunter Dickinson proved to be too much for the Cats without the seven-footers

What can we take away from Kentucky's 89-84 loss to the #1 Kansas Jayhawks?

Andrew Stefaniak

Takeaways: Hunter Dickinson proved to be too much for the Cats without the seven-footers
Takeaways: Hunter Dickinson proved to be too much for the Cats without the seven-footers /
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In a game that no one thought the Cats had a shot in, they fought hard and lost a close game to the #1 Kansas Jayhawks. 

This loss is going to hurt the team, but we learned how good this basketball team truly is, and when the Cats get some players back, this is one of the best teams in college basketball. 

What can we take away from Kentucky's 89-84 loss to the Kansas Jayhawks? 

Adou Thiero, Rob Dillingham, and Reed Sheppard were great

© David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Adou Thiero, Rob Dillingham, and Reed Sheppard were great in this ball game, combining for 47 points against the Jayhawks. Dillingham and Sheppard both made some silly freshman mistakes late in this game, but that stuff is to be expected. Thiero did everything for the Cats as he also added 13 rebounds, giving him his first double-double in his Kentucky career. The freshman mistakes will go away for Dillingham and Sheppard the more they settle into college hoops. If these three play this way all year, this is one of the best teams in college basketball. 

Justin Edwards, DJ Wagner, and Antonio Reeves struggled

© David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The guys you expected to have a good showing in this game didn't, and that would be Justin Edwards, DJ Wagner, and Antonio Reeves. Edwards and Wagner combined to go 1-18 from the field in this game, while Reeves did have 24 points but was 3-17 from beyond the arc. These three guys will be what makes this Kentucky team flow, and they will need to play better in big games down the road, or Kentucky will lose some close games this season. 

We know now how bad Cal needs his seven-footers

© Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

Tre Mitchell did everything he could in this game, fighting all game long with Kansas's 7'2 big man Hunter Dickinson. Mitchell played all but one minute in the game, fighting with the much taller Dickinson every second. He had eight points, six rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and two steals in this game, but it wasn't enough to get Kentucky the win. This game showed us that even though Mitchell played well and did all he could, the seven-footers need to get back sooner than later. With the seven-footers on the floor, it's hard to argue the Cats aren't a top-five team in college basketball. 

What's next? 

The Kentucky Wildcats will be back in Rupp Arena on Friday to take on Stonehill and hopefully get back in the win column. This game will tip at 7:00 pm et. 

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Andrew Stefaniak
ANDREW STEFANIAK