Game 4: Robert Morris at Kentucky

The rematch!!!

Robert Morris (2-1) at Kentucky (2-1)

Where: Rupp Arena, Lexington, Kentucky

KenPom: RMU 152. Kentucky 6.

Storyline: Robert Morris takes on Kentucky in a rematch of last years NIT game which saw an improbable upset at the Charles L. Sewall Center.

Getting to know the Wildcats…

That is Julius Randle.

This isn’t last years Kentucky squad. This team features one of the most talented freshmen we’ve seen in
years in Julius Randle. Randle is taking over 25 percent of the teams shots and rightfully so, with an effective field goal percentage 63.6 percent. He’s also getting to the rim and drawing more fouls than nearly anyone else in the country. Did we mention he’s 6’9’? He’s one of the best rebounders in the country.

It’s more then just the Julius Randle show. This team is loaded with talent at every position. There are a few familiar names from last year’s game like Alex Poythress (who’s having a really good season so far) and Willie Cauley-Stein. Some unfamiliar names to keep an eye on are James Young and Aaron Harrison, two freshmen who are playing a major role on offense.

Kentucky is also really big. Here is a tweet from Kentucky’s rival’s guy Brett Dawson that made me laugh:

So, yeah, that could be a problem. That's bigger than most NBA teams. Also a problem: just about everyone on the team is a McDonald’s All-American. UK is just superior in talent. Through three games, their KenPom adjusted offensive efficiency rating is second and defense is 41. They’re one of the best offensive and defensive rebounding teams in the country. They can run through a team’s depth with how man fouls they draw a game.

With all that being said, they’re not unbeatable. They did lose to Michigan State 78-74 five days ago. How? Michigan State dominated in UK in transition and was extremely efficient scoring in the paint. I’m not exactly sure how likely it is RMU scores a ton from the paint, but the Colonials have shown how much they love to push the ball, especially after baskets. It’s something to keep an eye on.

More info to make you feel better about tonight: Kentucky is only shooting 66 percent from the free throw line as a team. That’s not other-worldly! Also, they don’t shoot the three ball extremely well. If RMU can knock a few down early they can absolutely hang around.

More reason for hope: In my opinion, the three best players in last year’s game were,

1)      Lucky Jones

2)      Mike McFadden

3)      Archie Goodwin

Lucky was 4-5 for 15 points before being ejected after a flagrant foul. Mike McFadden dominated Willie Cauley-Stein. Forget what the box score might say, re-watch the game and you’ll see it too. Having two of the best players from last years game back is an advantage.

Other than that, we’ll just have to see how things play out. It’s definitely worrisome how much RMU struggled grabbing rebounds against a bigger team like EMU a few days ago so some adjustments will have to be made. Just a few days ago Columbia, who is picked to finish dead last in the Ivy League and was ranked outside the top-200 in KenPom rankings, almost went on the road and beat Michigan State. Weird things can happen in college basketball.

Reminder: if things do start to get weird and we find ourselves winning late in the game, DO NOT MOVE A MUSCLE. This has to be a perfect game from not just the coaches and players, but us to. Don’t risk jinxing anything.

More to come after the game. You can catch it on ESPN2. Enjoy!

--Chris Cappella

--@C_Cappella