It took two overtimes and an all-time memorable performance from Dontaie Allen, but Kentucky basketball is officially back in the win column. The Wildcats have had the luxury of playing just one game per week for the last several weeks of the season and it was clear they needed that extra practice time. Now, the grind of the conference schedule is here and the ‘Cats will play either Tuesday/Saturday or Wednesday/Saturday for the rest of the year.

As we do each week we will take a look at the biggest storyline surrounding UK basketball, give a quick preview of the week’s opponents, check in on what is going on in the Southeastern Conference, and give out the best games to watch nationally.

Storyline of the Week

Incorporating Dontaie Allen Into the Rotation

Big Blue Nation got their wish. Not only did the former Kentucky Mr. Basketball winner get his chance on Saturday, but Allen came in and nailed 7 of 11 3-pointers on his way to a game-high 23 points.

Part of Dontaie Allen getting this opportunity was him earning it over time. Coach Calipari simply wouldn’t play a guy in a conference game unless the kid earned some time. However, the complete inability of this team to make shots, and Terrence Clarke missing the game with an ankle injury, certainly helped force Allen’s way into the rotation.

So, what is Coach Calipari going to do moving forward? When Terrence Clarke is healthy and ready to go that obviously will steal back a lot of minutes that went to Dontaie Allen. Regardless of what “you” think, that is a fact. However, there is also no scenario where Allen doesn’t play significant minutes tomorrow night against Vanderbilt.

The minutes that Allen plays going forward will come directly from the minutes pool of B.J. Boston and Terrence Clarke. How will it impact those guys? Will it spark them to start playing better? If and when they do play better does that, in turn, take minutes away from Allen again? Managing the rotation and who gets the minutes in the backcourt will be the most interesting thing to watch this week against Vanderbilt and Florida.

This Week’s Opponents

Vanderbilt

The Commodores are 4-3 and 0-1 in the Southeastern Conference. They had four games cancelled due to Coronavirus concerns including a trip to the Roman Legends Classic to play UConn and either USC or BYU. Vanderbilt’s losses have come to Richmond, at Davidson, and Florida.

Under the tutelage of Head Coach Jerry Stackhouse, Sophomore Guard Scotty Pippen Jr. has taken a leap heading into his second season. Pippen Jr. is averaging 22.6 points per game and 4.6 assists per game, both team highs. His shooting splits of 45%/39.5%/83.7% are probably the most impressive improvement from a year ago.

Vanderbilt is starting two Freshman in Myles Stute and Trey Thomas. Stute is the third-leading scorer at 10 points per game including 8/14 3-point shooting in just three games. Thomas is 11/26 from beyond the arc. Both of these Freshman have added some much needed firepower to Coach Stackhouse’s lineup.

Sophomore Forward Dylan Disu has been good so far as well contributing 11.4 points and 8.9 rebounds per game.

This isn’t the same Vandy team from years past. They are no longer the worst team in the conference in my opinion. The Commodores can really shoot it and will get up a bunch of 3’s which makes them dangerous offensively. Defensive concentration will be key tomorrow night.

Florida

First off, the Gators are obviously without Keyontae Johnson who collapsed during their game at Florida State on Saturday December 12th. Our continued prayers are with Johnson as he recovers from the horrific incident. He is serving the rest of this season as a Student-Assistant coach.

Coach Mike White’s team began the season on the Corona-list which forced games with UMass Lowell, Virginia, and Oklahoma to be cancelled. Additionally, four games were tentatively postponed following the Keyontae Johnson situation. Florida currently sits at 5-1 and 2-0 in the SEC including an impressive win over LSU on Saturday. Doing that without their potential SEC Player of the Year and All-American candidate is a testament to the toughness of this group.

Sophomore Guards Tre Mann and Scottie Lewis lead the way scoring 15.2 points per game and 14 points per game respectively. Junior big man Colin Castleton, a Michigan transfer, is averaging 11.7 points with an insane 73.7% shooting percentage. Sharp-shooter Noah Locke chips in 9.7 points per game as well.

This isn’t a prolific 3-point shooting team, but they shoot a very good percentage (36.3%) because their best shooters take the shots. Noah Locke, Tre Mann, and Scottie Lewis all make more than one per game and shoot 40% or better from deep.

Florida has faced plenty of adversity already this season but has been very impressive in how they have answered the bell. If they can win at Alabama on Tuesday night then it might be time to say that the Gators are absolutely for real, even in the absence of their best player.

Around the Southeastern Conference

-Alabama looked great. The Crimson Tide picked up a 82-64 win over Ole Miss and then an incredibly impressive at #7 Tennessee 71-63.

-The Florida Gators also opened up 2-0 with wins over Vanderbilt and LSU.

-#12 Missouri suffered their first loss of the season to Tennessee, but answered with a good win at Arkansas.

-South Carolina returned from a stint on the Corona list. They will play their first SEC game on Wednesday.

-Only Florida, Alabama, and Kentucky are undefeated after the first week of conference play.

There are some excellent games this week in SEC play that will start to move teams around the standings. Florida travels to Alabama on Tuesday for a face-off between a pair of 2-0 teams. Tennessee will have another big test on Wednesday when they face Arkansas. On Saturday, Florida hosts Kentucky which will be an opportunity for the Wildcats to show that they are still a factor at the top of the SEC standings.

National Games to Watch

Monday

#14 West Virginia @ Oklahoma State (9:00 p.m. Eastern Time ESPN2)

Maryland @ Indiana (8:00 p.m. Eastern Time Big 10 Network)

Tuesday

#3 Villanova @ DePaul (7:00 p.m. Eastern Time FS1)

Kansas State @ #18 Texas Tech (7:00 p.m. Eastern Time ESPNU)

Nebraska @ Purdue (7:00 p.m. Eastern Time)

Vanderbilt @ Kentucky (7:00 p.m. Eastern Time SEC Network)

Florida @ Alabama (7:00 p.m. Eastern Time ESPN2)

Iowa State @ #4 Texas (8:00 p.m. Eastern Time Longhorn Network)

North Carolina @ Miami (FL) (8:00 p.m. Eastern Time ESPN)

#13 Missouri @ Mississippi State (9:00 p.m. Eastern Time SEC Network)

#15 Rutgers @ #24 Michigan State (9:00 p.m. Eastern Time ESPN2)

#6 Kansas @ TCU (10:00 p.m. Eastern Time ESPN)

Wednesday

Pittsburgh @ Syracuse (4:30 p.m. Eastern Time ACC Network)

#19 Virginia Tech @ Louisville (6:30 p.m. Eastern Time ACC Network)

Penn State vs. Ohio State (6:30 p.m. Eastern Time Big 10 Network)

Arkansas @ #9 Tennessee (7:00 p.m. Eastern Time ESPN2)

Wichita State @ #11 Houston (8:00 p.m. Eastern Time)

#16 Minnesota @ #10 Michigan (8:30 p.m. Eastern Time Big 10 Network)

Oklahoma @ #2 Baylor (9:00 p.m. Eastern Time ESPN2)

Seton Hall @ #7 Creighton (9:00 p.m. Eastern Time FS1)

Thursday

Indiana @ #8 Wisconsin (7:00 p.m. Eastern Time)

#5 Iowa @ Maryland (7:00 p.m. Eastern Time ESPN2)

Santa Clara @ #1 Gonzaga (9:00 p.m. Eastern Time)

#12 Illinois vs. Northwestern (9:00 p.m. Eastern Time Big 10 Network)

USC @ Arizona (9:00 p.m. Eastern Time ESPN2)

UCLA @ Arizona State (10:30 p.m. Eastern Time ESPN)

#17 Oregon @ Colorado (11:00 p.m. Eastern Time)

Friday

Purdue @ #24 Michigan State (7:00 p.m. Eastern Time)

Marquette @ #3 Villanova (9:00 p.m. Eastern Time FS1)

Saturday

Oklahoma @ #6 Kansas

Ohio State @ #15 Rutgers

#10 Michigan @ Penn State

St. John’s @ #7 Creighton (12:00 p.m. Eastern Time FS1)

Wake Forest @ #21 Duke (12:00 p.m. Eastern Time ACC Network)

Alabama @ Auburn (12:00 p.m. Eastern Time ESPN2)

#4 Texas @ #14 West Virginia (1:00 p.m. Eastern Time ESPN)

#9 Tennessee @ Texas A&M (2:00 p.m. Eastern Time ESPN2)

#2 Baylor @ TCU (3:00 p.m. Eastern Time ESPN)

#18 Texas Tech @ Iowa State (4:00 p.m. Eastern Time ESPN2)

Georgia Tech @ Louisville (4:00 p.m. Eastern Time ACC Network)

Kentucky @ Florida (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time ESPN)

#20 Clemson @ North Carolina (7:00 p.m. Eastern Time ESPN)

#1 Gonzaga @ Portland (8:00 p.m. Eastern Time)

LSU @ #13 Missouri (8:30 p.m. Eastern Time SEC Network)

UCLA @ Arizona (9:00 p.m. Eastern Time ESPN)

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