When Lamont Butler's ankle injury occurred, many fans anticipated seeing true freshman and local high school hero Travis Perry take the stage. However, that didn't happen. Subsequently, Kerr Kriisa's injury during the Gonzaga game led to further speculation about Perry's potential entry into the game. But again, it didn't materialize as he only had a total of two minutes against Gonzaga.

Why Mark Pope Kept Perry on the Bench

It began to seem as if Kentucky head coach Mark Pope had some insider knowledge that the fans were unaware of, suggesting that Travis Perry wasn't yet ready. When both Butler and Kriisa were unable to play in the Colgate game, there was hope that Perry would get an extended run, especially against a weaker Colgate team. He didn't start but did get the opportunity to enter the game when the Wildcats were already up 12-0.He played for a significant period until Colgate started to make a comeback. The Raiders went on a strong run, and Kentucky's performance faltered when the lineup included two true freshmen, Chandler and Perry. Pope decided to bring back the starters to halt the decline in energy. The rest of the night had a different feel.During this run, we got a good look at Perry, and it became evident why Pope was keeping him out of games and opting to use non-point guards like Jaxson Robinson at the point. Perry simply isn't ready, and here's why:

Game Speed vs. Practice Speed

Kentucky fans have witnessed Perry in shoot-arounds and practice clips, as well as in limited minutes against low-level teams. He showcases an exceptional shooting ability, but when he entered the Colgate game, he seemed cold and played with an odd sense of urgency. He went 0-4 from the field and 0-3 from three-point range.He constantly struggled to keep up with the pace of the game. What we often observe in true freshmen who aren't ready and walk-ons is that they compensate for their lag by exerting excessive effort. Perry was indeed trying to reach the right positions and get around screens. However, the game's tempo was too fast for him. He was playing at a speed that made him uncomfortable. He needs to continue getting more practice reps and more games like this to adapt to game speed.

Force vs. Flow

Perry had an intense desire to make a significant play. He wanted Rupp arena to erupt with excitement for a play he either assisted in or made himself. As a result, he made "flashy" passes when they weren't necessary. He also forced his shots instead of allowing the game to flow naturally. This was a notable difference from his performance in the three-point contest win at Big Blue Madness. At that time, his shots looked smooth, but against Colgate, they appeared forced.Fans are well aware of his talent, and Pope keeps emphasizing it, but he is just not ready yet, and that's perfectly fine. He needs to accelerate his development and let the game flow naturally. Instead of forcing the action, he must allow it to unfold more naturally. This will be a crucial step in his growth.