Jay Bilas says Kentucky, the fastest team in the country, 'will contend'

CC-242487 — Photo by Dr. Michael Huang | Kentucky Sports Radio

Jay Bilas hasn’t been shy about his love for Kentucky basketball and its potential this season. He called Reed Sheppard the team’s “most complete player” and one of the nation’s top freshmen before it became cool. He also called Rupp Arena a top-three venue overall. And then he stood up for Zvonimir Ivisic, arguing it is “inexplicable why he’s not been cleared yet” in the middle of an ESPN game broadcast.

Now he’s ready to call the Wildcats a title contender.

Releasing The Bilas Index, Vol. II, ESPN’s college basketball analyst ranked the top 68 teams in the country this season and listed the Wildcats inside the top 10.

That part isn’t surprising. What he said about Kentucky, though, will turn some heads.

For starters, Bilas can’t get enough of this group’s uptempo pace and ability to score in transition.

“If Kentucky defends and rebounds, this is the fastest team in the country,” he said. “The Wildcats are deadly in transition, whether after a make or a miss. John Calipari has a group of players who can all dribble, pass and shoot, and this young team takes care of the ball like few others Cal has had in Lexington. The Wildcats are second in the nation in assist-turnover ratio and turnover percentage, and they lead the SEC in fewest turnovers and turnover margin.”

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He’s got high praise for the veteran standouts while adding that this team will go to another level when a few key pieces find some consistency.

“Antonio Reeves has been consistently spectacular, and Tre Mitchell has been Kentucky’s most valuable player,” Bilas said. “As Justin Edwards improves and becomes more comfortable and big guys Aaron Bradshaw and Ugonna Onyenso get more minutes, Kentucky will contend. The young Wildcats grew up in the second half on the road at Florida, winning a game where most young teams would have crumbled.”

For now, he’s got the Wildcats ranked No. 9 overall in the list of top 68 teams. What matters, though, is that this group’s got a shot to contend for a national championship.

We agree, Jay.