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Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 11-30-2018, 09:00 PM:

1. Has the defense improved?
Even after a season-best defensive performance against Monmouth in which the Hawks shot just 27.6 percent from the field and 12.5 percent from 3-point range (2 for 16), Kentucky still ranks 326th nationally in 3-point percentage defense and 194th in KenPom’s effective field-goal percentage defense measurement.

“We are zeroed in right now defensively on what we have to do,” Calipari said after the Monmouth game.

2. Who are Kentucky’s best five?
Through seven games only freshman guard Keldon Johnson and sophomore forward PJ Washington have started every game, but the question of which lineup constitutes Kentucky’s best five remains unanswered.

While those two players have seemingly locked down spots in that group — though Calipari did bench Washington to start the second half against Monmouth in favor of freshman EJ Montgomery — an argument could be made for multiple players at the other three spots.

Freshman Immanuel Quickley has started six straight games at point guard, but classmate Ashton Hagans could be key to spurring the defensive performance Calipari wants.

“May look like Ashton should maybe be in the game the last part of the game,” Calipari said. “Let him be in there guarding and keeping people in front and mixing it up.”

At the two and five spots on the court, the question is one of current production versus potential for improvement. It’s hard to imagine a scenario in which Kentucky reaches a Final Four without freshman guard Tyler Herro and Montgomery playing key roles, but sophomore Quade Green and graduate student Reid Travis might be more consistent performers at the moment at their respective positions.

Against better opponents Kentucky should learn if Calipari can afford to let Herro and Montgomery learn on the job.

3. How is the confidence?
Calipari asserts that Kentucky’s defensive shortcomings have affected players’ offensive output. That claim was backed up in the Monmouth game when the improved defense led to a season-best 56.6 percent mark from the field.

But how will Kentucky players respond when facing a marquee opponent for the first time since Duke?

UNC Greensboro may not answer that question, even though the Spartans' only loss was an eight-point defeat at LSU, but North Carolina and Louisville later in the month certainly will. If there is any lingering self-doubt from Duke’s beatdown, those games get even harder.

Calipari’s young Kentucky teams have generally struggled in road openers, so playing at Louisville in front of a packed Yum Center full of Cardinal fans excited about Chris Mack’s first team will teach us much about the ability of UK players to perform under pressure.

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