Kentucky Basketball Recap: Wildcats Good but Not Great in Season Opener

In their season opener, the Kentucky Wildcats defeated Albany 78-65 in an imperfect effort, although the outcome was never in doubt. It was to be expected from a team that lost seven players from the year before and was putting a relatively new product on the floor.

The Wildcats were missing Isaiah Briscoe, who was scratched late with a knee injury. Charles Matthews started in his place and kicked the season off with a nice dunk in the lane for Kentucky's first bucket of the season, but he didn't really do much after that.

In the first half, UK was plagued by turnovers, 11 in total. Albany scored 27 points, and 13 came off turnovers. Another six were the result of second-chance points. But thanks in large part to Derek Willis coming off the bench with 14 points, Kentucky led by 11 at the half.

In the second half, Kentucky started out much better and stretched the lead to 20 nine minutes in. Albany was able to get the score within 12 a couple of times but never got any closer than that. 

Jamal Murray was the story of the game for Kentucky; he had 19 points, 13 in the second half, as well as a team-high eight assists. 

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Alex Poythress didn't look 100 percent back. He was basically invisible in the first half and only came alive briefly in the second after a technical foul woke him up. Kentucky is going to need more out of him when the competition gets stiffer.

Tyler Ulis was good but not great in the opener. After averaging just one turnover per game last season, he turned the ball over five times with a larger workload. He ran the offense well but needs to get a little more assertive.

If not for Willis, Marcus Lee might have been a lock for the most improved player on the team. He looked terrific both offensively and defensively. His energy is going to be essential to the team, and he even showed some good post moves. He finished with 12 points and eight rebounds.

Kentucky struggled on offense when it had Poythress, Lee and Dominique Hawkins in the game at the same time. Those three guys don't really create much offense. The Cats can afford to have two of them on the floor together, but three is pushing it.

Skal Labissiere had a rough first half with no points and three turnovers and generally was a step slow on defense. He picked it up, however, in the second half with nine points and three blocks. He's going to be streaky for the Cats. But when he goes to the basket and doesn't hesitate, he's hard to guard, especially away from the basket where he can utilize his quickness.

Murray is going to be a star. He made a few silly mistakes, as a freshman is wont to do in his first game, but he more than made up for them. Given the way he scores and creates, Kentucky is not going to be able to keep him off the floor.

With such a new group, defense is going to take a while to come together. Kentucky will not be the defensive juggernaut it was last season, but the team still has the potential to be very good once everyone gets more experience. The freshmen still have a lot to learn on that side of the ball. 

Overall, the Wildcats gave a solid effort. I would have liked to see Kentucky put Albany away after stretching the lead to 20 instead of letting the Great Danes almost get back in it, but it was still a good start to the season, especially considering the Wildcats were missing a starter who is expected to be a big contributor.