Three things we learned from Kentucky's blowout win over the Vanderbilt Commodores
The Kentucky Wildcats ended their two-game skid by blowing out the Vanderbilt Commodores 109-77 in Nashville.
The Wildcats played well in this game and even looked good on the defensive side of things. Vanderbilt looked like the worst team in the SEC, so the Wildcats didn't do it against a great team, but that's not the point. The point is a team that needed a confidence boost got one thanks to their great play in Music City.
We learned a few things in Kentucky's blowout win over the Commodores, one being when healthy, this team is going to be very deep. Kentucky was still without DJ Wagner and didn't have Tre Mitchell in this game, but had six players score in double figures, including Justin Edwards and Jordan Burks. We also learned that when Kentucky's seven-footers are up against a smaller team, they can dominate. Smaller teams are a thing Kentucky will face in March, so players like Ugonna Onyenso, Aaron Bradshaw, and Zvonimir Ivisic will dominate. Bradshaw and Ivisic combined for 23 points and 14 rebounds in Nashville. It was good to see Ivisic back doing his thing, as he was sick for a few weeks. The last thing we learned is Rob Dillingham is the best scorer in all of college basketball. If Dillingham had Antonio Reeves's minutes on the season, it would not surprise me if he was Kentucky's leading scorer. He also had nine assists in the win over Vanderbilt.
Coach Calipari called Ivisic a "difference maker" for what he did on the floor in his 12 minutes. It's clear that if Ivisic can stay healthy, there is no way you can keep him off the floor. Some believed what we saw against Georgia was a flash in the pan, but that might just be who Ivisic is.
With Gonzaga coming into Lexington hungry for a Quad 1 win, perhaps this blowout victory over the Vanderbilt Commodores was just what the doctor ordered for the Wildcats.
