Kentucky vs Louisville: 5 storylines for 2020-21 rivalry matchup

Kentucky’s willingness to do the dirty work

Coach Calipari’s roster is constructed much in the same fashion as it was last season, highlighted by eight top-100 recruits according to Recruiting Services Consensus Index (RSCI). There is an obvious correlation between highly ranked freshmen and a high skill level, a correlation that Coach Calipari has been benefitting from for a few years.

The difference this season is that the trio of freshmen: Brandon Boston, Terrance Clarke, and Devin Askew are not as effective as Immanuel Quickley, Nick Richards, and Ashton Hagans was last season as none were playing in their first season at Kentucky. Whether it be skill, experience, or a combination of both that is lacking, the Wildcats have been successful in some areas and they need to work with their strengths as opposed to against them.

The Wildcats’ success has not been coming in the categories dependant upon skill, as they are ranked No. 277 in points, No. 234 in free-throw percentage as well as No.234 in field goal percentage. The areas the Wildcats are having a degree of success is; blocks where their five per game ranks them No. 31, they are No.56 in offensive rebounding, and even No. 80 in personal fouls.

The upside is, these are statistical categories that are dependant upon effort, hustle, and getting physical, three aspects that an opponent cannot stop you from doing. If the Wildcats are going to start to have any success they need to start to do the dirty work, while they wait for their skill to take over.