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Topic: ESPN - All about Kentucky on the NCAAM Page
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Trey Ball
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Member # 332
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posted 01-11-2023 06:54 PM
Great article here on the struggles:
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/3542541 5/how-kentucky-2022-23-season-derailed-how-saved
This says what I have been saying for years! You have to shoot more threes. UK is in the 300's in 3PT usage rate and Cal refuses to put shooters on the floor TOGETHER at all positions.
quote:
What doesn't seem overly fixable is the Wildcats' lack of spacing on the offensive end, due in part to their lack of perimeter shooting. By the numbers, they're actually in the top 30 nationally in 3-point percentage. But they rank in the 300s in 3-point rate and are averaging 5.4 3s over the past five games. That's just a really hard way to win in 2023. It allows teams to collapse in the paint and make life difficult for Oscar Tshiebwe. Sahvir Wheeler would much rather get into the teeth of the defense than shoot jumpers. Wallace, Fredrick and Antonio Reeves can all make shots, but Calipari rarely plays more than two of them together, which still leaves three non-shooters on the floor and still results in a shrunken court.
[ 01-11-2023, 06:55 PM: Message edited by: Trey Ball ]
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Wife's Mad. Told me we never talk anymore. And just last nite while watching super bowl told her 2 or 3 times to get me a coke and popcorn. Also told her not to forget to take out trash in the morning. Ain't that something. Also told me I was too indecisive. Can't figure out what to do about that. One nice thing I guess. She called me a pro crastinator. Don't know what a crastinator is but I guess I'm a good one for her to call me a pro. Gonna wait til tomorrow to look that up though. I love her but somrtimes can't help but thinking I should have told uncle Junior to keep his coon hound pup and stevens double barrel and also his youngest daughter.
redbone
Posts: 11581 | From: IN, USA | Registered: Dec 1999
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Tiptree
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Member # 844
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posted 01-12-2023 08:56 AM
Good article, covering the same points we harp upon here. If it is obvious to everyone that Cal needs to space the floor on offense, have more shooters on the floor together, and shoot more threes, why doesn't he do it?
If it is obvious to everyone that UK's defense is attrocious, and the way to beat UK is to stretch the defense to get good looks from the arc AND open the seams to drive it to the rim, why doesn't he teach a differnt defense?
He has some good players, and a few excellent players, but they need a system that optimizes their talents. If we went with a modern, space-the-floor offense, this team would thrive. More threes for Wallace, Frederick, and Reeves. More open lanes for Wheeler and Toppin and Livingston. More easy lobs or pick-and-roll buckets for Tshiewbe, Toppin, Livingston, Collins and Onyenso.
It was such a contrast to watch Bama and South Carolina run a modern, fun offense and then watch UK clog up the floor and come up empty. We have the players to succeed. We don't have a system that allows them to.
BTW, on defense, what would be wrong with a little matchup zone every so often? We have the length and quickenss to make it work. I am pleased that Cal has added the 221 zone press to his defensive playbook, but we really need a zone for certain teams and/or situations.
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Tiptree
“If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.” Thomas Jefferson
Posts: 13631 | From: Terre Haute, IN | Registered: Sep 2000
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ukman
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Member # 3032
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posted 01-12-2023 10:52 AM
I think a zone defense can help tremendously. A team that can switch defenses, and play them well, is always a tough team to score against. It's beneficial to keep the offense off balance, and not allow them to get so comfortable. It can especially help when you are playing a team that may be a little better athletically than you, or is hitting on all cylinders against your current D. It at least makes them think a little differently than just going against man the whole game.
I would love for him to mix in some zone with this team. Matchup, 3-2, traditional 2-3. I think this team could play those very well, and at least keep us from getting gashed on drives and kick outs.
Posts: 5446 | From: georgia | Registered: Jan 2009
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Bama Cat
Player
Member # 153
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posted 01-12-2023 11:42 AM
From listening to his post game wrap ups it appears to me he sounds desperate. I believe he too is worried he is going to be asked to leave soon. But............... he still isn't going to make the necessary changes and divert from his old ways. Adios amigo! ![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
[ 01-12-2023, 11:43 AM: Message edited by: Bama Cat ]
Posts: 14203 | From: berea, ky, usa | Registered: Sep 1999
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