Kentucky freshman Brandon Knight was expected to fill the shoes of John Wall, but no one expected it would be this soon.
Knight, the newest point guard in head coach John Calipari’s arsenal, plans to have a monster 2010-2011 seasons, but will have to live up to the hype as well as replacing Wall who is now the Washington Wizards lead guard.
In dominating fashion, Knight racked up 31 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists during the ‘Cats 95-62 dismantling of the University of Windsor. It’s the first of three exhibition games Kentucky will play this summer before heading back to Lexington to gear up for the first official practices of the new season.
Knight wasn’t the only Wildcats player in double-figures, as both veterans Darius Miller (18 points) and DeAndre Liggins (10 points) displayed a ‘leadership’ quality Calipari expects of them at this point in their careers.
Sophomore Jon Hood was a pleasant surprise, throwing down several dunks that had the crowd on their feet. If Hood is to make any impact for the ‘Cats this season, he’ll have to display a more aggressive game on both sides of the ball.
The story of the night however, was Knight who showcased why he’ll continue the lineage of Calipari point guards.
It started with Derrick Rose while Calipari was still in Memphis. Rose and the Tigers went to the National Championship game before losing to Kansas during a heated overtime game that saw the Jayhawks go onto to win it all. Next up was Tyreke Evans, who at 6’5” showcased an ability to use his height advantage to see over smaller defenders.
The 2009-10 seasons highlighted the resurgence of the Kentucky program as well as the emergence of freshman point guard John Wall. Wall went onto become the No. 1 overall selection in the 2010 NBA Draft and is expected to help lead the Washington Wizards back to the playoffs.
Now, at the outset of the 2010-11 seasons, freshman Brandon Knight will have to continue the long line of elite Calipari guards at the University of Kentucky.
If Sunday’s game was any indication, Kentucky Wildcats fans have nothing to worry about.