Kentucky’s freshman guard TyTy Washington, Jr. will not be in the conversation for National Player of the Year, however it has been how Kentucky has played in his absences this year that show why he is the most important player in college basketball.
In the Wildcats’ two most recent losses, on the road at Auburn, currently the number two team in the nation, and a loss on Tuesday at sixteenth ranked Tennessee, Washington Jr was injured in both those games. Against the Tigers, Kentucky was leading by double digits at the time of Washington Jr’s injury. They ended up losing by nine points and struggled to stop the guards of the Tigers. For the game against Tennessee, the guards for the Volunteers took over the game and that is primarily due to Washington, Jr. being hurt.
When Washington, Jr. is healthy, Kentucky looks the part of a top four team in the nation and are an unstoppable force. No game is more evidence than their massive win against the Kansas Jayhawks, who many are thinking can make a deep run in the tournament. The Wildcats made it look like a 1-16 seed matchup in the tournament instead of a top 15 matchup.
Washington, Jr. brings the entire package in a guard game in and game out. Although not the primary ball handler due to Sahvir Wheeler being on the roster, Washington, Jr. provides a guard who creates well for teammates like Kellan Grady, Oscar Tshiebwe, and Jacob Toppin.
Washington, Jr. can also score from all levels of the court, being highly effective on the inside, while shooting efficiently from outside the arc.
The most important attribute that Washington, Jr. brings to Kentucky is this strong defense and guards every opponent’s top guard. This allows for Wheeler to focus on initiating Kentucky’s high octane offense for a squad that is a top team when they are able to get out on the fastbreak.
As long as Washington, Jr. can recover from his injuries for March, Kentucky is a very scary team that may contend for a national championship. On the other hand, Kentucky will more than likely falter if he is not at full strength. Outside of the college game, look for Washington, Jr. to be selected in this year’s lottery for the NBA Draft and hope it is your team calling his name.