UK Counting on Harrison, McKinney to Continue Growth
For Kentucky to succeed at the level that has become the norm for his program, Matthew Mitchell has always known his true freshman post players would have to excel.
Dorie Harrison and KeKe McKinney, completely understandably, haven’t always been able to reach that level, but that hasn’t stopped Mitchell from loving his time with the talented pair.
“You would love for it to happen real quick and real fast, but I’m enjoying the process of working with them,” Mitchell said. “You can see it happening when you work with them every day.”
Those who only watch Harrison and McKinney in games haven’t been able to see that as clearly. Before last weekend, neither had reached double figures in scoring since Harrison’s 10-point performance in the season opener, with scoreless lines being more common.
Facing players of their own size and talent level on a nightly basis for the first time doesn’t make for an easy transition.
“One of the big challenges we had is for them to finally surrender to the fact that their game had to change to be successful in college,” Mitchell said. “I was at a high school game a few days ago, and it was a really high-rated prospect. What a high school post player has to do in a high school game, it’s just not nearly as dynamic. They just don’t have to think as much, do as much.”
In spite of a little short-term failure, Mitchell has never been concerned about Harrison and McKinney’s long-term success. Their talent has never been in question and Mitchell learned all he needed to know about their mindset by the simple fact that they came to Kentucky.
“They both want to do so well,” Mitchell said. “You have to understand about all of our newcomers they signed up at a time when everyone else was trying to get out. Everybody else was leaving and everybody else was walking away, and these folks walked through the door and said, ‘I want to be here.’ That tells you a little bit about them and where they are.”
In other words, Harrison and McKinney weren’t going to walk away from a fight. And now, their perseverance is starting to bear fruit.
Facing one of the nation’s best frontcourts on Sunday – South Carolina’s A’ja Wilson and Alexis Jennings – Harrison and McKinney played the best game of their college career. Harrison had 11 points and seven rebounds in 30 minutes, while McKinney had 12 points and seven rebounds in 32 minutes. The breakout performances may have come in a losing effort, but they were hardly in vain.
“I think we’re finally to a spot where Dorie and KeKe on Sunday really tried to go and do the things we’ve talked about them doing, and they had success,” Mitchell said. “So, that’s a big moment. You go into that game, and you make some progress, and you have some tangible proof when you leave the game because your coach can tell you you’re getting better. I think it’s important for them to feel that way too.”
It’s important, of course, not only for the development of the two freshmen, but also for the immediate future of their team. UK needs them now more than ever as the season enters its final month when the Cats (9-11, 1-5 Southeastern Conference) host Alabama (14-6, 4-3 SEC) at 7 p.m. on Thursday.
“Alabama has a really good team,” Mitchell said. “It will be a big challenge for us. Love how they play. They’re athletic and very strong, really get after you on defense, have the ability to disrupt you and turn you over. It’s going to be a big challenge for us to handle that. Tremendous offensive rebounding team. Lot of athleticism there.”
That will be a good test for Harrison and McKinney and a good test for UK.
“Listen, this has been a real journey for us to try to get to a spot of improvement and success for this team,” Mitchell said. “We are still working towards that and there is over a month left before Senior Day and we need to take advantage of every day and try to get better. Tomorrow night is another opportunity to go earn a victory.”
