Photo by Vicki Graff
The Kentucky Wildcats will tip off in Rupp Arena on Friday night for their final exhibition action of the 2018-2019 season. After sweeping their Bahamas trip & cruising past Transylvania, the Wildcats will host the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Kentucky will have a quick turn around afterwards, as they’ll tip off their regular season in Indianapolis, IN against the Duke Blue Devils. In fact, head coach John Calipari’s team will wind up playing three games in just seven days as his team will return to Lexington later next week for their home opener against Southern Illinois.
Though they’ve been together for several months, Kentucky showed in their last outing that they still have many kinks to work out in regards to efficiency on both ends of the court.
While they shouldn’t see any trouble on Friday night against IUP, the Blue Devils will present a level of talent superior to any other foe the Wildcats will face this season. However, Duke is more inexperienced than any other title contender this season and, too, could have their own miscues.
Calipari will have 40 more minutes of exhibition to construct his most efficient groups of players he can “platoon” during their season opener. With an abundance of talent, followed by an unusual presence of veteran leadership, that job should be a bit easier than it sounds.
Tip-off for Friday’s game is set for 7 P.M. EDT.
