Kentucky's Kyle Wiltjer connects on a jumper in the Wildcats' 125-40 exhibition win over Morehouse Monday night at Rupp Arena. Wiltjer drained four shots from long range and scored a team-high 26 points off the bench. (Sun photo by Bo Morris) |
It was easier the second time around for Kyle Wiltjer.
After scoring just seven points in a 97-53 win over Transylvania last week, Wiltjer took his turn in the freshman spotlight.
Wiltjer came off the bench and led all scorers with 26 points in a dominating 125-40 blowout of Morehouse Monday night at Rupp. Wiltjer missed just three shots on 13 attempts, drained a team-high four 3-pointers, grabbed four rebounds and dished out one assist. Wiltjer turned in a similar performance with 27 points and 11 rebounds in the Blue-White game on Oct. 26. This time, Wiltjer appeared to be more at ease.
“I was more used to it (the crowd and the surroundings),” Wiltjer said. “I wasn’t nervous (against Transy), maybe I was more anxious and so excited to be out there. I had a better flow the second game.”
Wiltjer admitted that the two exhibition games were “about the same,” but “got into the flow a little better,” against the outmatched Maroon Tigers, which led to more production off the bench.
“It felt good to get some shots in and get into the flow out there and it’s good for my confidence to see my shots go in,” he said. “We have such a great talented group of guys who can score. That’s what coach emphasizes, every game, (some) players aren’t going to score as much, because we have so much talent. Each game, (I have to) play hard, play with passion and good things will happen.”
Kentucky coach John¿Calipari was “happy” with Wiltjer’s performance in the team’s final exhibition encounter and added that the 6-foot-9 forward is starting to “define his game,” which includes shooting open 3-pointers, a one-dribble pull-up and the post and hook shot.
“(We want to) make it simple, don’t invent stuff,” the Kentucky coach said. “Shoot the three, shoot the one¿dribble pull¿up, throw it to the wing, go in the post, shoot the runner. Did you see the hook shot?”
That hook shot by Wiltjer came in the first half and displayed his ability to loft a shot over his shoulder with the left-hand.
“That’s one of my hook shots,” he said with a smile. “I don’t like to force it, but when it’s there, it’s tough to defend. Hopefully I can break out a couple of more (hook shots).”
Even when the Wildcats were up 74-13 at the break, Wiltjer didn’t let up and scored 12 points in the second half following a 14-point outburst in the first frame.
“We just kept our intensity up, because we (were playing) with such passion on defense. That’s how we got so many easy baskets.¿We started off the game (24-for-24), because we got straight layins. In the first game (against Transylvania), we settled for jumpers, so Cal told us to keep attacking the rim.”
Wiltjer added that Kentucky also wanted to make a statement on the defensive end of the court.
“Coach Cal emphasized playing physical and that’s what we did the first few minutes of the game,” he said. “That’s what helped us get off to a good start. Every minute that we’re out there, we want to get better.”
Wiltjer said the workouts following last week’s exhibition game were beneficial.
“We got a lot of good work in,” he said. “It really showed tonight. We had a better game plan and we executed better.”
He added that the workouts behind the scenes is a “jump up” from high school practice sessions and said the intense battles have proven to be beneficial to his development on the court.
“That’s what I chose Kentucky for (because they have) such great talent,” he said. “We have such great talent in practice every day, so that pushes me to become a better player.”
Calipari likes the way Wiltjer’s offense is coming along, but added that he wants his freshman sharp-shooter to get “tougher.”
“He can do that in practice,” he said. “We spent the last few days after Transy (working on) all toughness.”
Wiltjer said the two exhibitions helped the Cats get a “feel for each other on the court” and is looking forward to the season opener against Marist.
“We practice every day, but there’s nothing like a real game,” he said. “We’re excited for Friday and we’re going to prepare like we did (against Morehouse).”
After scoring just seven points in a 97-53 win over Transylvania last week, Wiltjer took his turn in the freshman spotlight.
Wiltjer came off the bench and led all scorers with 26 points in a dominating 125-40 blowout of Morehouse Monday night at Rupp. Wiltjer missed just three shots on 13 attempts, drained a team-high four 3-pointers, grabbed four rebounds and dished out one assist. Wiltjer turned in a similar performance with 27 points and 11 rebounds in the Blue-White game on Oct. 26. This time, Wiltjer appeared to be more at ease.
“I was more used to it (the crowd and the surroundings),” Wiltjer said. “I wasn’t nervous (against Transy), maybe I was more anxious and so excited to be out there. I had a better flow the second game.”
Wiltjer admitted that the two exhibition games were “about the same,” but “got into the flow a little better,” against the outmatched Maroon Tigers, which led to more production off the bench.
“It felt good to get some shots in and get into the flow out there and it’s good for my confidence to see my shots go in,” he said. “We have such a great talented group of guys who can score. That’s what coach emphasizes, every game, (some) players aren’t going to score as much, because we have so much talent. Each game, (I have to) play hard, play with passion and good things will happen.”
Kentucky coach John¿Calipari was “happy” with Wiltjer’s performance in the team’s final exhibition encounter and added that the 6-foot-9 forward is starting to “define his game,” which includes shooting open 3-pointers, a one-dribble pull-up and the post and hook shot.
“(We want to) make it simple, don’t invent stuff,” the Kentucky coach said. “Shoot the three, shoot the one¿dribble pull¿up, throw it to the wing, go in the post, shoot the runner. Did you see the hook shot?”
That hook shot by Wiltjer came in the first half and displayed his ability to loft a shot over his shoulder with the left-hand.
“That’s one of my hook shots,” he said with a smile. “I don’t like to force it, but when it’s there, it’s tough to defend. Hopefully I can break out a couple of more (hook shots).”
Even when the Wildcats were up 74-13 at the break, Wiltjer didn’t let up and scored 12 points in the second half following a 14-point outburst in the first frame.
“We just kept our intensity up, because we (were playing) with such passion on defense. That’s how we got so many easy baskets.¿We started off the game (24-for-24), because we got straight layins. In the first game (against Transylvania), we settled for jumpers, so Cal told us to keep attacking the rim.”
Wiltjer added that Kentucky also wanted to make a statement on the defensive end of the court.
“Coach Cal emphasized playing physical and that’s what we did the first few minutes of the game,” he said. “That’s what helped us get off to a good start. Every minute that we’re out there, we want to get better.”
Wiltjer said the workouts following last week’s exhibition game were beneficial.
“We got a lot of good work in,” he said. “It really showed tonight. We had a better game plan and we executed better.”
He added that the workouts behind the scenes is a “jump up” from high school practice sessions and said the intense battles have proven to be beneficial to his development on the court.
“That’s what I chose Kentucky for (because they have) such great talent,” he said. “We have such great talent in practice every day, so that pushes me to become a better player.”
Calipari likes the way Wiltjer’s offense is coming along, but added that he wants his freshman sharp-shooter to get “tougher.”
“He can do that in practice,” he said. “We spent the last few days after Transy (working on) all toughness.”
Wiltjer said the two exhibitions helped the Cats get a “feel for each other on the court” and is looking forward to the season opener against Marist.
“We practice every day, but there’s nothing like a real game,” he said. “We’re excited for Friday and we’re going to prepare like we did (against Morehouse).”
