Were it not for the mature-beyond-his-years head on his shoulders or the demeanor his father instilled in him at an early age, Kyle Wiltjer may have felt disrespected in his first few months at Kentucky.

Amid all the hoopla this top-ranked recruiting class has warranted this year, Wiltjer often times seems to be the guy left out. Between national preseason player rankings, talk of next year’s NBA Draft prospects and debate over the starting five, Wiltjer’s name is almost always left off the list.

Emerging from the shadows of Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Marquis Teague, Wiltjer showcased his talent Monday night in the exhibition win over Morehouse. Busy splashing 3-pointers, showcasing his hook shot and displaying his overall smooth, sound game, Wiltjer proved to the masses that he’s just as important of a piece in the super 2011 recruiting class as any of the four freshmen.

“I thought I played well,” Wiltjer said, following his game-high 26-point performance Wednesday night. “It was good to see some shots go in and get in the flow out there. I’m just glad we got the win.”

Wiltjer scored his 26 points in an efficient 20 minutes of play. He sank 10 of his 13 shots, including 4 of 6 from behind the 3-point line.

The outing was a steady improvement from an anxiety-filled exhibition matchup against Transylvania. Wiltjer didn’t play poorly in that first game, recording seven points and seven rebounds in 18 minutes, but it wasn’t the Wiltjer that John Calipari raved about in the preseason.

“I got in the flow a little better and got my confidence up,” said Wiltjer, who admitted the bright lights of his first collegiate game got him a little too excited. “It’s good having the support behind you.”

In practice, Calipari has often told Wiltjer to play “his game” and not try to be Davis or Kidd-Gilchrist. Coach Cal said that while Davis and Kidd-Gilchrist can do stuff he can’t match, he possesses skills they can’t emulate.

“The only thing I told him at halftime is, ‘OK, you’re starting to define your game. So your game is if you’re open for 3s, take them. If they’re tight (and) you want a one-dribble pull-up, take them. If not, hit the wing, go in the post and shoot a hook. Make it simple. Don’t invent stuff,’ ” Calipari said.

The 6-foot-9 freshman from Portland, Ore., heeded his coach’s advice and played a simplified yet versatile game off the bench. Instead of inventing new moves, he played within his comfort zone and executed the plays that make him such a skilled big man.

“He just wants me to play within myself and make the right play,” Wiltjer said. “That’s why I finished the game getting easy shots because I kind of settled down and shot the ball comfortably.”

His left-handed hook shot late in the first half was exactly the type of play that he and he alone can make on a consistent basis.

“Did you see the hook he shot?” a giddy Calipari rhetorically asked.

Wiltjer certainly didn’t invent the hook shot – his dad, who played at Oregon State, professionally and for the Canadian National Team, taught him – but Wiltjer has made it popular again. A lost art form in today’s game, Wiltjer’s early career, at least from a fan’s perspective, has been defined by the intrigue of the old-school move.

“That was a little left-hander,” Wiltjer said, suggesting his hook has more range. “Hopefully I can bring out a few more.”

Reports – some from this very website – have detailed Wiltjer’s ambidextrous hook shot, building its legend with each coming week. When Wiltjer finally pulled it from his bag of tricks against Morehouse, it pleased the more than 20,000 in attendance.

All the attention his shot is generating doesn’t bother him.

“I don’t mind it at all,” Wiltjer said.

Coach Cal still wants to see Wiltjer get tougher, an intangible he can achieve through what Calipari calls the “gauntlet” in practice, but he showed Monday that he’s far too talented to be lost in the shuffle.

“Being around such great talent, even in the summer I made strides working with the guys, getting a feel of what the college game is like,” Wiltjer said. “Every game is a learning experience and I’m just honored to be here.”

Wiltjer was ranked the 22nd-best overall player in the country (according to Rivals.com), what would be the star signee at just about any other school. But instead of opting for personal glory, Wiltjer signed with UK to compete against the best.

“That’s’ what I chose Kentucky for,” Wiltjer said. “It’s such great talent. When you have such great talent every day in practice, it pushes me to be a better player.”

Love it or hate it, UK could be a zone team

Kentucky worked on its press defense for most of last week and stepped on Morehouse’s throat by employing full-court pressure, but Coach Cal said if he learned anything after the 40-mintute rout, it’s that this group might be a zone team.

“I hate to say this,” Calipari began, ”we looked like we may be a pretty good zone team when I go big on this team. When Anthony is on that one wing, you’re not getting a shot off. Forget it. Play the other wing. (That) means you’ve got to play half the court.

“I like Terrence (Jones) at three. So now you’re 6-10, 6-10, 6-9 on your frontline. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist witha  7-3 wingspan as a two. Doron Lamb as a two. I don’t know how they passed it around when we went to that zone.”

When asked why he hated the idea of being a good zone team, Calipari pointed to the vaunted zone defenses of Syracuse, Temple (under John Chaney) and Arizona State. Those teams have stifled opponents with their zone defense, but Calipari wondered what happens when teams shoot them out of the zone.

“If they have to go man-to-man or press or anything else, they’re not as good,” Calipari said.

Kentucky’s length and athleticim, in addition to Monday’s 17 steals and 26 turnovers, would seem to indicate that Coach Cal’s team will be just fine with any defense it decides to use.

“I don’t believe you can be good at everything, but as a change-up defense, this could be something we look to,” Calipari said. “I doubt it, but we might.”