Kentucky Basketball: Takeaways from embarassing loss to Georgia Tech

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 01: John Calipari the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats gives instructions to Davion Mintz #10 against the Kansas Jayhawks in the State Farm Champions Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 01, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

3 of 4

Kentucky Basketball Oliver Sarr Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports /

Olivier Sarr was overvalued this offseason

Every time top-tier grad transfers enter the portal in the offseason, they’re viewed as a top-10 overall freshman that can single-handedly improve a team’s chances for the following season. That was the case of Kentucky when they landed Wake Forest transfer Olivier Sarr and was able to get the waiver as well.

The Wildcats didn’t have a true center on the roster so the 7’1 big man filled a need. But he had just one season of averaging double figures in college basketball and was never known for putting up major numbers on offense. Meanwhile, there was some talk of him being SEC Player of the Year if things went well.

So far though, he’s been… okay for Kentucky. He had 17 points and 11 rebounds against Richmond and was their best player in that game. But Sarr had just eight points and six rebounds against Kansas and was really bad against Georgia Tech, going for six points on 1/4 shooting in 30 minutes.

The bigger issue has been on the defensive end. Sarr has been getting abused by some of the big men he’s faced so far. Whether it’s Nathan Cayo and Grant Golden or Richmond, Jalen Wilson in Kansas second-half comeback, or Moses Wright going for 21 points and eight rebounds in this game, Sarr has not been the defensive anchor inside Kentucky was hoping for.

Freshman Isaiah Jackson has been the best defensive frontcourt player for the Wildcats, as well as rebounding. His positioning needs to improve and he doesn’t provide much offense but besides Terrence Clarke and BJ Boston, has been the most promising freshman on the roster.

Sarr will likely end up having a similar season as former Wildcat and Stanford grad transfer Reid Travis did; around 10-12 ppg and 6-8 rpg in around 27-30 minutes. There will be a 20 and 10 game here and there in the SEC but there also will be some duds. That would be fine for Kentucky if the rest of the roster stepped up but that’s a question. Just don’t expect Sarr to be a “star” for them.

Home/Kentucky Wildcats