Since the ineligibility ruling of Enes Kanter, many have analyzed what that leaves the Wildcats with and how they would compensate for the loss of the highly touted big man. Some wondered if Harrellson and Vargas could pick up their games to compensate while others looked at Coach Cal going small and relying on the perimeter game. I thought I had read every possible scenario and liked the small perimeter route until I saw it referred to as playing a little like…Louisville.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
I don’t know about you, but suggestiong that Kentucky might do anything like Louisville is a Wildcat Sin. Most people would understand that. Apparently not as Mike DeCourcy of The Sporting News has offered the ultimate insult. While answering a question in his column, he states that Kentucky may end up playing a little like Louisville does.
[quote][B][I]Q: How can Kentucky compensate for the loss of Enes Kanter (if he’s truly gone)? A 6-8 center for ETSU scored 25 against it in the opener.[/I][/B]
[B]DeCourcy:[/B] Coach John Calipari is trying to play down Kanter’s ability, insisting he’s not another DeMarcus Cousins. Well, if that’s the standard, most of the big men of the past decade have been worthless. Kevin Love, Michael Beasley, Greg Oden – how many more pass the test?
There’s every reason to believe Kanter would have an impact on the order of Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger, who went for 26 in his first major test at Florida. So if he’s gone for good, it’s a blow.
Without him, UK has two choices: live with Josh Harrellson and Eloy Vargas, each of whom is probably suited for no more than a 15-minute role, or play small and surround 6-8 Terrence Jones with a bunch of guards and wings.
UK has them: Brandon Knight, DeAndre Liggins, Darius Miller, Doron Lamb, Jon Hood, Stacey Poole. That would be a drastic solution, though. It would leave the Wildcats vulnerable on the boards and anytime an opponent advanced the ball past the foul line.
With the obstacles the Wildcats face in a Kanter-free world, the two most important elements will be attacking without turning over the ball, and consistently making a reasonable share of 3-point shots.
They might wind up playing a little like … Louisville.[/quote]
Now I understand that DeCourcy is just making a reference to the style of play the two teams might share, but couldn’t he have come up with a less insulting school to reference? How about comparing this team to a Derrick Rose led team at Memphis who also played very small under Calipari? And perhaps include that team made it to the championship game.
Come on DeCourcy, anyone but Louisville!
