Jay Bilas. UK. IU. Enough said, enjoy…
[B]No. 1 Kentucky (8-0) at Indiana (8-0)[/B]
By Jay Bilas
ESPN.com
[B]When and where:[/B] Saturday (ESPN/ESPN3, 5:15 p.m. ET), Assembly Hall (Bloomington, Ind.)
[B]Kentucky overview:[/B] Kentucky is the most talented and gifted team in the country. The Wildcats are not super deep with NBA players but have plenty of guys who can play. [URL=”http://sports.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/51540/terrence-jones”][COLOR=#225db7]Terrence Jones[/COLOR][/URL], [URL=”http://sports.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/56353/anthony-davis”][COLOR=#225db7]Anthony Davis[/COLOR][/URL], [URL=”http://sports.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/56352/michael-kidd-gilchrist”][COLOR=#225db7]Michael Kidd-Gilchrist[/COLOR][/URL] and [URL=”http://sports.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/56354/marquis-teague”][COLOR=#225db7]Marquis Teague[/COLOR][/URL] will all play at the next level sooner rather than later, and I would not be surprised to see [URL=”http://sports.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/51543/doron-lamb”][COLOR=#225db7]Doron Lamb[/COLOR][/URL] and [URL=”http://sports.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/56355/kyle-wiltjer”][COLOR=#225db7]Kyle Wiltjer[/COLOR][/URL] join them in the NBA. Kentucky may be very young in spots but the Cats defend, play hard and are not afraid.
The Wildcats generate offense from their defense, and they excel at getting into the lane off the dribble. We spend a lot of time talking about Kentucky’s scoring ability and talent level, but what makes John Calipari’s teams win is, and always has been, defense. The Cats pressure the ball, bring the heat 94 feet at times and look not just to position themselves properly, but also to heat up the ball. To win, Kentucky will have to turn Indiana over and also force quick, contested shots.
[URL=”http://espn.go.com/ncb/notebook/_/page/notebookweekendwatch111209/dec-9-dec-11#”][COLOR=#999999][+] Enlarge[IMG]http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2011/1209/ncb_i_jonest_300.jpg[/IMG][/COLOR][/URL] Mark Zerof/US PresswireAmong all of Kentucky’s stars, Terrence Jones is still the go-to guy when the game is on the line.
[B]Indiana overview:[/B] The Hoosiers are a much better team this season due to talent and collective will. Tom Crean has done a remarkable job of bringing Indiana back to competitive status, and with [URL=”http://sports.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/56224/cody-zeller”][COLOR=#225db7]Cody Zeller[/COLOR][/URL], Crean has a player he can run the offense through. The Hoosiers work hard for good shots and run good sets. The key will be handling pressure. Kentucky will try to take Indiana out of its sets, disrupt its pick and rolls and ball reversals, and force the Hoosiers further out on the floor. Expect Zeller to get trapped in the post, and expect [URL=”http://sports.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/46239/jordan-hulls”][COLOR=#225db7]Jordan Hulls[/COLOR][/URL] and [URL=”http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/41557/verdell-jones-iii”][COLOR=#225db7]Verdell Jones[/COLOR][/URL] to get pressed. The Hoosiers have to be strong with the ball from tap to buzzer in order to win.
[B]Kentucky go-to guy:[/B] Jones. The lefty forward can shoot the ball from deep and also has the ability to put the ball down and attack the rim. He is explosive and strong, and Indiana will have a hard time matching up with Jones.
[B]Indiana go-to guy:[/B] Hulls. The small point guard is not Indiana’s best player, but when the Hoosiers need an important basket, Hulls can hit it. The question is, can he get open to hit them? He has made 15 3s, which represents almost half of his field goals, and has a 2-to-1 assists-to-turnover ratio. Hulls needs some space to find an open shot, so the key will be how many open looks Crean can manufacture for Hulls. To win, Hulls has to hit some shots.
[B]Kentucky indispensible player:[/B] Lamb
The sophomore can really score, and he does so very efficiently. He is not a volume shooter but is able to do more with less. Lamb has an outstanding middle game, and when he has time to shoot he makes almost everything. Lamb is also a solid defender when he competes.
[B]Indiana indispensible player:[/B] Zeller
Zeller is Indiana’s best player, a very skilled and strong interior player. Crean can run the offense through Zeller, and Zeller leads the Hoosiers in scoring, rebounding, offensive rebounding and field goal percentage.
[B]Kentucky X factor:[/B]Kidd-Gilchrist
The freshman is an aggressive force on both ends of the floor and plays with great passion. Kidd-Gilchrist can drive the ball, get into the lane and get to the free throw line. He also uses his energy and high motor to get steals on the other end. He can turn it over and commit fouls, but he can also be the most effective player on the floor. Kidd-Gilchrist is a winner and plays his best in big games. This is a big game.
[B]Indiana X factor:[/B] [URL=”http://sports.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/46241/christian-watford”][COLOR=#225db7]Christian Watford[/COLOR][/URL]
Indiana has some good players. Whether it is Zeller, [URL=”http://sports.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/51480/victor-oladipo”][COLOR=#225db7]Victor Oladipo[/COLOR][/URL] or [URL=”http://sports.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/51481/will-sheehey”][COLOR=#225db7]Will Sheehey[/COLOR][/URL], Crean has more options this season of guys that can make plays. Watford was expected to be a leading scorer and rebounder this season, and he has the ability to be just that. Thus far, Watford is averaging over 10 points and five rebounds per game.
[B]Key stat:[/B] Indiana turnovers
The Hoosiers work to get good shots and when they do, they are one of the most efficient offensive teams in the country. Against Kentucky’s pressure, it will be difficult for Indiana to run offense the way it wants. It is vital for Indiana to handle and pass the ball without coughing it up. The Hoosiers’ offense has to help the defense. Turnovers mean easy shots and opportunistic 3s for Kentucky. It is not just a question of how many turnovers, but what kind. Live ball turnovers will become easy baskets for the Wildcats.
[B]Who wins:[/B] While I believe Indiana will play its best game of the young season, Kentucky is more talented and powerful. Kentucky will pull out a win on the road.
[URL=”http://espn.go.com/ncb/notebook/_/page/notebookweekendwatch111209/dec-9-dec-11″]Source[/URL]
