This season for UK has been fun for the entire nation of blue. UK has the nation’s longest home court winning streak, the conference’s best player, the nation’s best player and they are the odds on favorite to win the national title. Not to mention they have completely obliterated their last 6 opponents by a combined 125 points. Darin Horn recently stated the Cats are a different team than the team he saw in Rupp a month ago. What’s changed?
The first 5 SEC games, 2 of which were on the road, Kentucky’s foes averaged 62.6 points per game and shot 41% from the field[B]. In the past 4 SEC games, 3 of which were on the road, the Cats’ opponents averaged just 47.5 points per game on 33% shooting.[/B] The Cats have clamped down on the defensive end to allow 15 fewer points per game and make their opponent shoot almost 10% worse from the field.
Those are the only defensive stats you’ll find to show a difference since blocks and steals are about the same from the first 5 SEC games and the last 4. It’s the on ball and overall team defense that is forcing opponents to take bad shots. Early in the year UK would let the other team take numerous wide open shots, which they would make a good portion. Cal said in his press conference today “You cant keep teams from shooting the 3”. Case in point: the last 4 teams UK played took 65 3’s but only connected on 22. UK cant stop them from shooting but they are making it difficult for teams TO shoot.
Prior to the UK/USC game, Darin Horn stated if his team turned the ball over a lot they were going to have to make 10 3’s to have a chance. He was overestimating his team a bit. In fact, had his team made 21 3’s they still would have lost by 1.
UK is also taking better care of the ball. During its recent 4 game stretch, they have cut back on the turnovers. In fact they are averaging 3.5 less turnovers in that stretch compared to the first 5 conference games. Add to that the fact they are also rebounding the ball more at almost 6 more boards per game.
The competition in these last 4 games may not be as stiff as some would like, but keep in mind the teams in this 4 game climb includes teams that have recently beaten Florida, Michigan, Uconn, and Marquette.
Offensively, the Cats are really good and not much has changed except who the leading scorer is in each game. Defensively, Kentucky is playing on a whole different level. Will that be enough for a Florida Gator squad who likes to score a lot of points? I’m guessing Yes…at least at Rupp anyway.
