No. 23 UK (14-3, 4-2) v. Vanderbilt (11-7, 3-3)

Tipoff: Saturday, 4 p.m., Rupp Arena TV: ESPN Radio: UK Radio Network

Three points of emphasis as the Cats host Vanderbilt on Saturday.

Vanderbilt heating up

The Commodores will carry their three-game winning-streak into Rupp on Saturday, hoping to halt any UK momentum carried over from Thursday’s win at Arkansas. Vandy’s defense has been red hot as of late – holding its last three opponents to just 64.6 ppg – but will need strong outings on both sides of the court on Saturday.

Luckily for Vanderbilt head coach Kevin Stallings, he’s got the pieces to do so. In the backcourt, sophomores Wade Baldwin IV (14.9 ppg, 4.6 apg) and Riley LaChance (9.7 ppg, 2.8 apg) are high volume guards that can dish and score the ball. Junior Damian Jones leads the Commodore frontcourt with 12.6 ppg and has the ability to takeover a game. 

“(They’re) really good. Really good. Run great stuff. Really can shoot the 3. The biggest team we’ve played,” UK head coach John Calipari said. “I mean, they’re huge. Their man is better than you think. Their zone, they’ll play a zone and space it out. That zone has given us trouble in the past. A really hard game for us. I’m glad we played like we did (at Arkansas) because we have a little confidence. If we didn’t have a little confidence going into this game, whew.”

Labissiere making progress

Watching freshman Skal Labissiere score double-digit points, record three blocks and play for 20 minutes for the first time since December was a breath of fresh air for Calipari and Big Blue Nation. Labissiere seemed to settle into a groove and was clearly more comfortable on the floor against Arkansas, two things that could earn him more playing time.

“It was a good effort for him, but it also showed me how we need to probably play him a little more,” Calipari said. “(He’s) probably more of a jump-shooting big man. I want him to be Karl(-Anthony Towns) and be the No. 1 pick, but he’s a jump-shooting big man. Now, we’re going to work on that other stuff. We’re going to continue to try and help him there. Reality of it is the best part of his game is 15-foot shots and making some free throws.”

Labissiere is gaining confidence and beginning to find his niche in the UK offense – a formula that has proved to pay dividends for the Cats. Look for more jumpers and less post play from the freshman forward. 

More Derek Willis

After Thursday’s 80-66 win over Arkansas, Calipari said Willis makes the team better and that Alex Poythress and Marcus Lee will now be fighting for minutes. The Mount Washington, Ky., native nearly had his second consecutive double-double on Thursday, scoring 12 points and grabbing seven rebounds.

Willis started his second game of season against the Razorbacks and would likely start again on Saturday. Calipari was quick to praise his junior forward after the Arkansas game, saying he’s made significant strides in both practice and games. 

“He earned it. I didn’t give it to him,” Calipari said. “He earned it how he played at Auburn, then he earned it in two days of practice. He was the leading rebounder in two days of practice. I got on him at halftime (against Arkansas) and he came out and performed, which tells me he’s building his own confidence.”