Kentucky basketball has another opportunity to make a statement on Friday night when the No. 23 Wildcats welcome James Madison to Rupp Arena. While the matchup might not appear to be the toughest challenge on Mark Pope’s schedule, it could reveal something important about this team before a much bigger test arrives.
The Wildcats are coming off an impressive 85-57 victory over Manhattan in their season opener. Although Kentucky had a shaky start, the team eventually found its rhythm and showed why there is plenty of excitement surrounding Pope’s second season in charge.
However, the James Madison matchup presents an opportunity to answer an important question: Can Kentucky put together a complete performance against an opponent it is expected to beat?
That is something fans should pay close attention to.
One of the biggest positives from the Manhattan game was Milan Momcilovic’s outstanding performance. The Iowa State transfer finished with 24 points, shooting 8-of-12 from the field and 6-of-9 from three-point range.
Momcilovic immediately demonstrated why his shooting ability could become a major advantage for Kentucky. His ability to stretch defenses and create scoring opportunities could make the Wildcats particularly dangerous as the season progresses.
James Madison will have a difficult task containing Kentucky’s offensive weapons, especially with the Dukes having only one player taller than 6-foot-9.
That could create opportunities for the Wildcats to use their size, attack mismatches, and establish control inside the paint.
Still, Momcilovic’s scoring is not the only thing worth watching.
Kentucky needs to demonstrate better consistency, particularly on the defensive end. The Wildcats cannot afford to have extended stretches where their intensity drops, especially with tougher opponents waiting on the schedule.
Pope will also want to see more players contribute offensively rather than depending heavily on one or two individuals.
That makes Friday night’s game particularly important.
Next week, Kentucky will travel to Atlanta for the State Farm Champions Classic, where the Wildcats will face Kansas. That matchup will provide a much clearer indication of how competitive Pope’s team can be against elite opposition.
Before getting there, however, Kentucky has business to handle against James Madison.
The Wildcats enter the contest as 25.5-point favorites, according to DraftKings, while ESPN’s Basketball Power Index gives them a 97.1% chance of winning.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on the SEC Network.
A victory is certainly expected, but how Kentucky gets it could be even more important than the final score.
If Pope’s team can show improved chemistry, defensive discipline, and consistent offensive production, Kentucky fans could have another reason to feel optimistic heading into the Kansas showdown.
