No. 23 Kentucky opens the regular season Tuesday night at Rupp Arena with a significant talent and size advantage over Manhattan. The Wildcats went 22-14 last season and averaged 80.5 points per game, while the Jaspers finished 12-20, went just 3-12 on the road and allowed 78.9 points per contest. 

Kentucky also brings a major frontcourt presence, led by 7-foot Malachi Moreno, who averaged 7.8 points and 6.3 rebounds last season, and transfer Milan Momcilovic, who averaged 16.9 points at Iowa State while shooting 48.7% from three-point range.

Manhattan faces a difficult assignment with a roster that has undergone extensive turnover, returning only about 6% of last season’s scoring. Ben Tweedy is a key addition after averaging 9.4 points and shooting 38.5% from three at Colgate, but the Jaspers lack the established depth and interior size to match Kentucky.

The Wildcats went 3-0 in exhibition play, including a 76-65 win over Texas Tech and a 90-76 overtime victory against UCF. Momcilovic averaged 16.7 points in those exhibitions, while Moreno finished the UCF game with 16 points and 14 rebounds.

The biggest concern is the 30-point spread, particularly with Kentucky still integrating so many new players, and that is why this is just a comp play for tonight.

Still, Manhattan’s limited returning production and lack of proven depth make it difficult to see the Jaspers sustaining an effective effort for 40 minutes against this much size and offensive talent. I expect Kentucky to impose its will, build a substantial second-half lead and pull away.

Expectations are high once again in Lexington, and tonight the Big Blue Nation will be treated to a one-sided home team victory.