Antonio Reeves confident he can help at PG if Sahvir Wheeler misses time

Kentucky point guard Sahvir Wheeler is expected to be fine after suffering a knee injury in the team’s first exhibition game vs. Missouri Western. Nothing major, no long-term issue.

He could, however, miss some time in the short term. John Calipari said he missed a few days of practice after hurting the same knee before the Blue-White Game, then sat out the intrasquad scrimmage. A twist, he called it.

The Wildcats have one more exhibition game vs. Kentucky State on Thursday before the regular season begins vs. Howard on Monday, Nov. 7. Next, a game against Duquesne on Friday, Nov. 11 before taking on Michigan State in the Champions Classic on Tuesday, Nov. 15.

Should Wheeler be forced to miss any time, freshman guard Cason Wallace is the top option to slide over and lead the charge at the one. It’s something Calipari has already made clear — “He’s played all point because it’s only him and Sahvir,” he said at UK Media Day last week.

Wallace stepped in and thrived in the role against the Griffons, finishing with nine points, seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks, two steals and two turnovers in 29 minutes — second on the team. Calipari liked what he saw, specifically on the glass.

“Our leading rebounder was Cason Wallace. That’s why he’s going to play and play a lot,” he said. “Even though he missed two lay-ups, deal with it. Missed some jumpers, his right hand, hurt his fingers. Deal with it because of how he defends, what he does. … We need Cason Wallaces on the floor. Did you see that last rebound? He jerked out with the guy’s arms? That’s how you’ve got to — this thing is a man’s game. It really is.”

Wallace himself felt comfortable at the one, settling in as the game moved along.

“I feel like I got more comfortable,” Wallace said. “The court started opening up, especially late-game we’re still running up the court, other team may be getting tired. It’s just what we practice. I’ve been running the one (point guard) in practice, so it wasn’t too new for me.”

If Wallace is your starting point guard, who is your backup, at least until Wheeler is back? Antonio Reeves is your guy.

Calipari already said the Illinois State transfer was a player he trusted at the position — “I can put Antonio at point, which I did in the scrimmage, and he did pretty good,” he said.

Reeves, who played point guard at Illinois State and averaged 20.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game, will be ready if he’s asked to slide over.

“I’m comfortable, knowing I played point guard last year at Illinois State,” he told KSR on Tuesday. “I have a lot of experience with it, so yeah, if he does put me at that position, I’ll be ready.”

Reeves has mostly played an off-ball scoring role for the Wildcats in the limited opportunities we’ve seen him leading up to the season. What does an on-ball, lead guard role look like for the 6-foot-6 standout?

“I can be a scoring guard, and I can facilitate as well,” Reeves added. “Just going out there, playing my game, reading what the defense gives me. … It’s not like I’d be jumping into it like, ‘Oh wow, I’m running point,’ it’s not like that. I’d be prepared it.”

Defense has also been a point of emphasis for Reeves going into the year, as has rebounding. That, combined with his shot creation and scoring, is how he hopes to contribute moving forward.

“My defensive presence, rebounding. Bringing that energy to the team and creating shots for others,” he said. “I can facilitate as well. If CJ (Fredrick) is knocking down shots, look for him. Look for other players who are open or they’re down low, dump it off.”

He’s confident in Wallace as a lead guard, as well — however long he’s needed in that role.

“Great defender, can facilitate for the team, of course. And he’s great at shooting,” Reeves told KSR. “He’s just a really good all-around player to me. We needed that on the team.

Ideally, though, Wheeler returns to game action soon and everyone can play their normal positions. The 5-foot-9 playmaker is the straw that stirs the drink for the Wildcats offensively, while also being a disruptor on defense.

“Playing with Sahvir, he’s a facilitator and scorer who brings the energy to the team,” Reeves said. “He’s a leader on the floor, definitely, and he’s also a heck of a defender. He interrupts anybody who brings the ball down the floor. We’d definitely be missing that piece (if he missed time).”

Hopefully Kentucky doesn’t miss him too long.