Following Kentucky's first exhibition of the season, Transylvania head coach Brian Lane had a theory as to why the top-ranked Wildcats struggled against inferior size. His suggestion: They just weren't used to it.
The basis for his theory was that they had been going against guys their own size for so long in practice that they had become used to it. Against mosquitoes at their knees – Lane's words – it was “awkward” for the bigger, stronger Kentucky players.
They look like they've gotten the hang of it now.
Kentucky dominated the paint Sunday afternoon at Rupp Arena, bruising and bullying an uncharacteristically small Northern Kentucky team for a 93-63 beating of the Norse. There may have been a hint of truth to Lane's idea, but the Cats appear to have adapted to a height advantage they will have for much of the season.
Walter Cornett, of Glendale, Kentucky, is the owner and operator of Walter's Wildcat World. He founded WildcatWorld.com in 1998 making it one of the oldest Kentucky basketball fan sites in operation today.