LEXINGTON – Darnell Dodson wasn’t concerned by Kentucky’s lack of consistency following the team’s first test of the season.
Although the Wildcats ran away with a 74-38 win over Campbellsville, Kentucky’s offense was shaky at times and committed 23 turnovers against the NAIA squad Monday night at Rupp Arena. Dodson said the Cats are still learning the Dribble-Drive motion offense.
“We’re still trying to grasp it – the whole concept of it and get to the right spots and everything,” Dodson said. “We’ve just got to cut down on the turnovers. We’re a long way from where we should be, but we’re still learning and working hard.”
Dodson said the toughest part of the offense is trying to do the right thing and getting into a flow.
"There are just a lot of options coming off of everything,” he said. “The thing you think about the most is where everyone is supposed to be and that's the hard part."
Dodson was Kentucky’s most consistent performer with a team-high 19 points and two steals in the exhibition opener. Dodson drained a pair of 3-pointers and connected on seven shots from the field.
“He is a scorer,” Campbellsville guard Shawn Savage said. “He can shoot it, put in on the floor and rebound. I think he’s going to help Kentucky out a lot this year.”
"It felt good starting my first college game, and I just wanted to go out there and perform to my highest level,” he said. “I think I did okay but there is still a lot I can improve on."
Dodson said the team missed the presence of John Wall. Wall was sitting the first of two games.
“We missed him pushing the ball up the court and driving to the basket,” he said.
Dodson said the Cats have a lot of room for improvement in other areas, especially when it comes to being aggressive on the offensive end of the floor.”
"(Coach) wants us to take the ball to the basket more and not settle on jump shots,” he said. “Just drive and make the defense come over to get someone else an open shot." 

Photo: Kentucky coach John Calipari yells instructions to his team during an exhibition win over Campbellsville earlier this week. Victoria Graff.