Before the hatch of the Mark Pope era, it was unknown who Kentucky’s main “star” would be.
Fans didn’t know then and, while they do have a better understanding now, there is still yet to be a bonafide “star,” as five different Cats are currently averaging double-digits per game in the points category.
A player who had high expectations early on was forward Andrew Carr, a 6-foot-11 transfer from Wake Forest who’s physicality, shooting and experience in the ACC was brightly advertised to BBN.
Carr started the season off playing in that “star” role, combining for 39 points through UK’s first three games, while being the main reason Kentucky knocked off then No. 6 Duke in the State Farm Champions Classic on Nov. 12 to get Coach Pope his first ranked win at the helm of Kentucky.
Through those three early contests, Carr shot 13-19 from the field and 3-5 from beyond the three-point arch, inserting himself as one of the more dominant players on the court.
Recently, however, Carr has somewhat subsided to being less active on the court, scoring just six points at Georgia and four points against No. 4 Alabama at home on Jan. 18. In those two games, Carr shot 3-11 from the field and 0-3 from deep, uncharacteristic to his name to say the least.
It’s worth noting that Carr is laboring a back injury that popped up on the Mississippi State injury report. Clearly, Carr is on a mission to battle-through his injury without missing time, and an easier way to do that is by decreasing his production while he properly recovers.
Carr has averaged 26 minutes per game, playing more than half of the game in most contests, but, now, with his injury flaring up and his production declining, it could be time for UK to throw its other forward into the mix: Fairleigh Dickinson transfer Ansley Almonor.
The 6-foot-7 senior is averaging 5.4 points and 1.8 rebounds, but he hasn’t gotten enough opportunity on the court to prove himself with just an average of 13.2 minutes.
In games where Almonor’s minutes have boiled over to at least 15-plus, he’s been able to provide more on the score sheet, calculating 11 points against No. 14 Mississippi State, six points against No. 11 Texas A&M and 10 points against No. 4 Alabama, going 6-11 from deep and 7-12 from the field through that time.
Almonor had a highlight-reel moment in Starkville on Jan. 11, torching No. 14 Mississippi State with three made 3-pointers in two minutes. It’s moments like that which will do nothing but build confidence for Almonor and it’s likely more court time will help provoke that.
Earlier on in the season, through the thick of non-conference play, Almonor had 10 points and three rebounds in 15 minutes against Jackson State along with 12 points and four boards in 24 minutes against Georgia State, again, with at least 15 minutes played.
The common theme is that if Almonor logs at least 15 minutes, his production and shot-making abilities rise as well and, with that, it will allow Carr to recover properly heading into the thick of SEC and tournament play.
It would be foolish to propose the idea that Almonor replaces Carr and all of his minutes, but through a stretch when Almonor has looked comfortable while Carr battles his injury, perhaps Pope should give Almonor more opportunities on the hardwood.