Kentucky Wildcats: Navigating Depth Challenges as March Looms
Kentucky entered this season boasting one of the most talented rosters in college basketball. But as we edge closer to March Madness, the Wildcats find themselves relying heavily on just five or six key players.
The challenge? Eight or nine players need to contribute, and so far, the bench has struggled to keep pace in SEC play.
It's easy to think, "These young athletes should have endless energy!" But as Coach Cal has often reminded us, they're human, not machines.
Fatigue is a genuine factor, and backup players are crucial. Denzel Aberdeen and Otega Oweh have been pivotal, logging 38 and 35 minutes against Auburn, respectively, with Oweh limited by foul trouble.
The bench's contribution has been a sticking point, highlighted by a mere eight points scored off the bench against Auburn. Coach Pope acknowledged the issue, saying, “We had so much fatigue on the floor.
It’s something we’ve been trying to monitor. We’re trying to manage it with our limited roster.
We’ve got to have a couple other guys step up and play a little bit more minutes for us.”
Crunching the Numbers
The plus-minus stat often tells the tale over time. Through 14 SEC games, Kentucky's reserves-Mo Dioubate, Brandon Garrison, Trent Noah, and Jasper Johnson-are all in the negative.
Dioubate stands out slightly better at -12, playing significant minutes alongside starter Andrija Jelavic. However, Garrison, Noah, and Johnson have struggled.
Here's a snapshot of the numbers:
- Brandon Garrison: 211 minutes, -57
- Jasper Johnson: 140 minutes, -44
- Trent Noah: 105 minutes, -33
- Mo Dioubate: 294 minutes, -12
In contrast, every Kentucky starter boasts a positive plus-minus in SEC play, with Aberdeen and Malachi Moreno leading at +68.
The Need for Improvement
Jasper Johnson faces the challenge of playing out of position as a backup point guard. Known for his scoring, his defensive stats are less impressive, and with only 10 rebounds in 140 minutes, his off-ball aggressiveness is lacking.
Trent Noah has seen more playtime, particularly against Auburn, where he logged 19 minutes. Despite his willingness to get physical, his shooting has faltered in SEC play, hitting just 3-11 from beyond the arc.
Brandon Garrison was expected to elevate his game in his second year, but aside from a standout performance against Oklahoma, consistency has been elusive. His scoring and rebounding have dipped against SEC teams outside his home state.
Looking Ahead
It's easy to say "players should perform better," but that’s not always realistic. Injuries to Jaland Lowe, Kam Williams, and Jayden Quaintance have certainly impacted the lineup.
Yet, with two McDonald’s All-Americans and a 4-star recruit among them, the expectations are high. For Kentucky to succeed, these players need to rise to the occasion and deliver when it matters most.