The Maryland Terrapins trail Kentucky, 49-36, after a back-and-forth offensive first half in Brooklyn. The Wildcats, as they always do, have reloaded for the 2012-13 season as they start their title defense. John Calipari's new young team shot the lights out in the first half, hitting five of seven three-pointers. As a team, Kentucky shot 58 percent from the floor -- hitting shots from outside but also getting easy buckets off penetration. Kyle Wiltjer and Archie Goodwin led Kentucky on the offensive end. Wiltjer was somewhat of the unknown blue-chipper in last year's ridiculous recruiting class, but he's expected to step up this season. He's a stretch forward, and hit three of five from outside to boost the UK offense. Goodwin finished with 13 points.
Maryland could not keep up with Kentucky's shooting, hitting only 29.5 percent from the floor. They went on a couple runs and forced Calipari to use timeouts, but there was little help for their sophomore duo. It's been all Alex Len on the inside, as the sophomore center put on a show both in the post and getting down the floor in transition. Len scored 16 points and grabbed six boards, dominating the paint against an Anthony Davis-less squad.
Nick Faust, playing the Terrell Stoglin role, got 12 shots up in the first half. Unfortunately for Mark Turgeon, he didn't make many of them. Faust is three of 12 and has nine points, combining with Len as the only offensive threats in the first half. Newcomer Dez Wells was one of six for five points.
Maryland will need to go on a run at the start of the second half, and hope Kentucky cools off at the Barclays Center.