So about that Defense.......

[The_Answer1313_rivals]

The last 5 games.

.823 vs Alabama
.816 vs UT
1.029 vs UGA
.854 vs Missouri
.952 vs Florida

Um that's not bad at all. Granted outside of Florida those teams are great offensively but it's still an improvement.

The main theme in all of those games on defense........the rebounding.

In none of those 5 games did teams rebound more than 24% of their misses. In the UGA game, they had TWO offensive boards the entire game lol

We are getting better.

 

[Panthur]

I agree with everything you said. It still kills me to see a basket there for the taking any time anyone wants to make a line drive to the basket with a full head of steam. I realize a lot of that is not on us but on rule changes, and the new rules/focus probably net help us more than hurt us when Fox is fully healthy. But it still makes me weep for what CBB once was. Not the way I wanted to see the sport's scoring decline turn around.

 

[UKGrad93]

Also in that stretch- holding teams to under 70 pts (except Georgia).

I think our pace has slowed too.

 

[Bluesnky]

Also in that stretch- holding teams to under 70 pts (except Georgia).

I think our pace has slowed too.

We still push it in transition, but I think what has changed is we are not taking quick shots when forced into the half court.

 

[The_Answer1313_rivals]

I agree with everything you said. It still kills me to see a basket there for the taking any time anyone wants to make a line drive to the basket with a full head of steam. I realize a lot of that is not on us but on rule changes, and the new rules/focus probably net help us more than hurt us when Fox is fully healthy. But it still makes me weep for what CBB once was. Not the way I wanted to see the sport's scoring decline turn around.

It drives me nuts but at this point I think we need to realize what this team is on defense. Against good offenses we are probably going to give up a decent FG% on 2s. This team just needs to keep rebounding at the rate they are, force turnovers and don't foul. There's more than one way to play efficient defenses. If teams are going to shoot a high % vs us, limit the shots by rebounding and forcing turnovers.

 

[Kats23]

For the past two months, I've said it doesn't have to be great but just improve a little. It can't be as bad as it was when UK was slumping and it can't be Mizzou bad. They would of given up 90 to a good offensive team that night. It's been hot and cold since the "practice" that Cal worked exclusively on defense. Yesterday was good enough in my opinion but the pick and roll defense has been bad all year.

I don't remember Florida running any off the top of the key last night. That's the thing that's really been this teams Achilles heel when it comes to defense

 

[The_Answer1313_rivals]

Florida surprised me. I mean they have to know we are poor defending the two and yet they took 30 3 point shots. It played right into our hands. Not only did they take a ton of threes, but as a result, they didn't get to the line at all.

I don't know if this is a byproduct of them missing their big man but UF doesn't shoot it well enough to be taking 30 3s lol

 

[Blue Decade]

I agree with everything you said. It still kills me to see a basket there for the taking any time anyone wants to make a line drive to the basket with a full head of steam. I realize a lot of that is not on us but on rule changes, and the new rules/focus probably net help us more than hurt us when Fox is fully healthy. But it still makes me weep for what CBB once was. Not the way I wanted to see the sport's scoring decline turn around.

We were not contesting every Florida basket yesterday. Far from it. But help defense was much better. Overall, it was our best defensive performance in a long time, and an indication that our players are working to improve. But it must still get better. Like you say, still too many blown assignments and open lanes. I also think we should give some credit to Florida, a very good team with a great young coach.

 

[legendofjason21]

You can use All the stats you want until this teams is more consistent it will not matter. All you need is your eyes to tell how they are playing. That was a great turn around in the second half but let's see how they play next game. Not getting my hopes up on on 1/2 of a basketball game

 

[kyjeff1]

We were not contesting every Florida basket yesterday. Far from it. But help defense was much better. Overall, it was our best defensive performance in a long time, and an indication that our players are working to improve. But it must still get better. Like you say, still too many blown assignments and open lanes. I also think we should give some credit to Florida, a very good team with a great young coach.

I still stand by what I've been saying all conference season long, there is no possible way to play sticky defense and deny hard drives to the rim with SEC officials. There's just no way. It is an all out fight to stay out of foul trouble. All an opposing guard has to do is drive hard and jump into a defender and he gets the call and it doesn't matter if the defender was standing still, it's a foul. Hopefully this is not the case in the NCAAT. I wish they would go back to the old rules where fingernail contact was allowed.

We can rag on our defense all we want, but what I am saying is the truth.

Also, these refs are awful at understanding bad acting jobs on those defensive flops. Come on, how can you fall for that?

I don't know how Bam is doing it, but he is one of the very few that has NOT been in foul trouble the last few games. The kid has found a way to stay in the game. That's coaching and great effort from Bam.

 

[The_Answer1313_rivals]

You can use All the stats you want until this teams is more consistent it will not matter. All you need is your eyes to tell how they are playing. That was a great turn around in the second half but let's see how they play next game. Not getting my hopes up on on 1/2 of a basketball game

The stats back up what your eyes are telling you tho. If people are going to hammer this team for allowing way too many drives to the bucket then they also have to at least acknowledge the things we do well on defense.

 

[mjj_2K]

You can use All the stats you want until this teams is more consistent it will not matter. All you need is your eyes to tell how they are playing. That was a great turn around in the second half but let's see how they play next game. Not getting my hopes up on on 1/2 of a basketball game

Thanks for that. God knows everyone was waiting for your third post in a row telling us how this UK team isn't really any good. Glad you signed up yesterday to contribute these things. We'll all wait with bated breath for your next post.

 

[The_Answer1313_rivals]

I still stand by what I've been saying all conference season long, there is no possible way to play sticky defense and deny hard drives to the rim with SEC officials. There's just no way. It is an all out fight to stay out of foul trouble. All an opposing guard has to do is drive hard and jump into a defender and he gets the call and it doesn't matter if the defender was standing still, it's a foul. Hopefully this is not the case in the NCAAT. I wish they would go back to the old rules where fingernail contact was allowed.

We can rag on our defense all we want, but what I am saying is the truth.

Also, these refs are awful at understanding bad acting jobs on those defensive flops. Come on, how can you fall for that?

I don't know how Bam is doing it, but he is one of the very few that has NOT been in foul trouble the last few games. The kid has found a way to stay in the game. That's coaching and great effort from Bam.

I agree with this. The SEC the past few years have been games of foul fests. We rank way higher than the other power conferences in free throw attempts per field goal attempts. Some of that is the refs, some of that is aggressive offenses, some of that is just plain poor defense and having to foul to compensate.

We did well staying outta foul trouble vs UF. Tho UF helped us out by taking so many 3s. I think with Fox out, we made an effort to not foul as much since we were short on the bench.

 

[*Bleedingblue*]

Tony Barbie has done a very good job of coaching the defense up since Cal turned it over to him.

 

[caneintally]

Our D has been top 10ish since the LSU game. Period.

 

[UKnCincy_rivals]

Tony Barbie has done a very good job of coaching the defense up since Cal turned it over to him.

Since you mentioned Barbee, I had a question for anyone watching the game. Did the announcers say anything about the type of defense we were running?

I was at the game and saw something new and was curious if they talked about it. There were some possessions where it looked like we got back and set up in a box and one with the one applying pressure on the point guard. After a few seconds, and once UF initiated a play, then guys picked up a man and it morphed to more of a man to man.

Was curious if I was just imagining this or if anyone else noticed it.

 

[The_Answer1313_rivals]

Since you mentioned Barbee, I had a question for anyone watching the game. Did the announcers say anything about the type of defense we were running?

I was at the game and saw something new and was curious if they talked about it. There were some possessions where it looked like we got back and set up in a box and one with the one applying pressure on the point guard. After a few seconds, and once UF initiated a play, then guys picked up a man and it morphed to more of a man to man.

Was curious if I was just imagining this or if anyone else noticed it.

Actually now that you mention it I believe they had said something about us in a 1-3-1 zone. It threw me off a bit because I don't know if I just wasn't paying attention but it looked like we were man to man the entire game. But apparently not. Think they said it late in the first half and that we had been in that defense the past 2-3 mins

 

[UKnCincy_rivals]

Actually now that you mention it I believe they had said something about us in a 1-3-1 zone. It threw me off a bit because I don't know if I just wasn't paying attention but it looked like we were man to man the entire game. But apparently not. Think they said it late in the first half and that we had been in that defense the past 2-3 mins

Take a look when there is 3:30 left in the first half to see what I was talking about. Just found this YouTube video with it.

When UF was running a 5 out set to try and create space for drives, we kept two guys at the elbows and two guys at the blocks to keep the lane clogged and prevent drives. First time I've seen that all year.

We also would switch defenders around at the top of the key as UF tried to drive, but would try to get two guys back to the elbow after the switch.

I thought it was an interesting adjustment to something that has killed us earlier in the year.

 

[*Bleedingblue*]

Since you mentioned Barbee, I had a question for anyone watching the game. Did the announcers say anything about the type of defense we were running?

I was at the game and saw something new and was curious if they talked about it. There were some possessions where it looked like we got back and set up in a box and one with the one applying pressure on the point guard. After a few seconds, and once UF initiated a play, then guys picked up a man and it morphed to more of a man to man.

Was curious if I was just imagining this or if anyone else noticed it.

Yes we were switching up defenses a lot in the second half and it was really confusing Florida. What they need to work on now is hustling back down Court to stop the fast break. A lot of guys are caught looking and watching the play develop instead of running back down Court and setting up on defense

 

[legendofjason21]

Thanks for that. God knows everyone was waiting for your third post in a row telling us how this UK team isn't really any good. Glad you signed up yesterday to contribute these things. We'll all wait with bated breath for your next post.

well I have been coming to the site since 98 and don't be a smart ***. you don't like what I say don't read it. This is a message board right, that's the point. We are decent but not world beaters.

 

[Aike]

Thanks for that. God knows everyone was waiting for your third post in a row telling us how this UK team isn't really any good. Glad you signed up yesterday to contribute these things. We'll all wait with bated breath for your next post.

Careful. You're talking to a legend.

 

[legendofjason21]

The stats back up what your eyes are telling you tho. If people are going to hammer this team for allowing way too many drives to the bucket then they also have to at least acknowledge the things we do well on defense.

I am not hammering the team. I just don't think they are one of cals better teams and that's ok maybe they figure it out.

 

[Aike]

Since you mentioned Barbee, I had a question for anyone watching the game. Did the announcers say anything about the type of defense we were running?

I was at the game and saw something new and was curious if they talked about it. There were some possessions where it looked like we got back and set up in a box and one with the one applying pressure on the point guard. After a few seconds, and once UF initiated a play, then guys picked up a man and it morphed to more of a man to man.

Was curious if I was just imagining this or if anyone else noticed it.

Spanarkel mentioned late in the second half that we had been running some 1-2-2.

 

[The_Answer1313_rivals]

I see it now. Interesting. Cal switching it up a bit lol

Synergy needs to hire better stat people. They have us playing man 100% yesterday.

 

[RalphDaltonFan]

Thought the best defensive sequence I saw all year was late in game with Bam switched on Allen, and basically he and Gabriel were scrambling and never relented/gave up an open look--Bam at one time falls down going for steal, and team rotation was so tight, UF couldn't take advantage. Was outstanding defensive rotation and team defense.

Very impressive win and I don't get all the teeth gnashing over the team. They are playing much better then they were a few weeks ago and again, the SEC is the worst officiated conference of the Power 5. That includes calls in favor of UK and against--but of the Blueblood programs I watch, UK is far less protected by officials then others across country.

Fact Bam's play has improved is due to fact he's getting to play/can get into a rhythm. He's not in foul trouble within 30 secs.

Great win and thought defense in First Half helped get Cats back in game/eventually tied, and then they put clamps on UK in a great stretch around 11 minute mark to end of game.

 

[legendofjason21]

Careful. You're talking to a legend.

You can try to make jokes is you want. But this is a message board so i will try to remain civil.

 

[UKnCincy_rivals]

I see it now. Interesting. Cal switching it up a bit lol

Synergy needs to hire better stat people. They have us playing man 100% yesterday.

I'd suspect that there's a big difference in how closely they track college vs. NBA. I know nothing about their methodology for that stat, however, I wouldn't be surprised if they used an algorithm to estimate it similar to KenPom. If so, that could explain why it'll never be 100% accurate. It may still be directionally correct though.

The other tricky piece is that there were a couple times we did that, but it morphed into man to man based on what UF did. In that situation, I'm not sure how they'd account for that since we played zone and man on the same possession.

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

Last 5 games all wins for Kentucky with 3 on the road:

UK avg. 76 ppg
UK giving up 65.5 ppg

That's solid.

 

[Aike]

You can try to make jokes is you want. But this is a message board so i will try to remain civil.

You're off to a great start. Most people don't wait until our best half of basketball in weeks to show up for the first time and start complaining.

 

[legendofjason21]

You're off to a great start. Most people don't wait until our best half of basketball in weeks to show up for the first time and start complaining.

it's on you if you if you think it's complaining. its my opinion and there is a difference. We are at the end of the season and teams have figured us out and that is what it is. Maybe they can find that magic the other teams did a few years ago but let's be honest that doesn't usually happen and there are really good teams this year. I am a realist and don't say stuff because I am fan. if they lose that's ok there is always next year. Don't get bent out of shape like I did when I was younger. I still get pissed for 5 min the. it's over.

 

[Aike]

it's on you if you if you think it's complaining. its my opinion and there is a difference. We are at the end of the season and teams have figured us out and that is what it is. Maybe they can find that magic the other teams did a few years ago but let's be honest that doesn't usually happen and there are really good teams this year. I am a realist and don't say stuff because I am fan. if they lose that's ok there is always next year. Don't get bent out of shape like I did when I was younger. I still get pissed for 5 min the. it's over.

But you showed up FOR THE FIRST TIME with your "realism" just as we played really well in our biggest game of the year.

A realist would say, "We played well in a game we had to win. Looks like we will win the Conference. Looks like we will be a 2 or 3 seed."

What you are doing is pessimism or trolling.

 

[bigblueinsanity_rivals250340]

For the past two months, I've said it doesn't have to be great but just improve a little. It can't be as bad as it was when UK was slumping and it can't be Mizzou bad. They would of given up 90 to a good offensive team that night. It's been hot and cold since the "practice" that Cal worked exclusively on defense. Yesterday was good enough in my opinion but the pick and roll defense has been bad all year.

I don't remember Florida running any off the top of the key last night. That's the thing that's really been this teams Achilles heel when it comes to defense

They didn't because we had a physical defender guarding the point. Fox avoids contact at all costs really putting us at a disadvantage defending that ball screen

 

[legendofjason21]

But you showed up FOR THE FIRST TIME with your "realism" just as we played really well in our biggest game of the year.

A realist would say, "We played well in a game we had to win. Looks like we will win the Conference. Looks like we will be a 2 or 3 seed."

What you are doing is pessimism or trolling.

That's hope not being real. We did play well for a half. We should be killing teams in the sec, even Florida but we are not that is real. I hope we do win the sec but if we don't that's ok. it's one half of one game. Yes we need it but let's see if they get in a roll or they keep struggling. I don't wear blue shades

 

[Aike]

That's hope not being real. We did play well for a half. We should be killing teams in the sec, even Florida but we are not that is real. I hope we do win the sec but if we don't that's ok. it's one half of one game. Yes we need it but let's see if they get in a roll or they keep struggling. I don't wear blue shades

It's hope to say we will probably win a conference that we are leading by a game with 2 games left?

It's hope to say we will probably be a 2 or 3 seed, when pretty much every bracket maker on the planet has us as a 2 or 3 seed?

You struggle with basic logic, huh?

 

[UKnCincy_rivals]

That's hope not being real. We did play well for a half. We should be killing teams in the sec, even Florida but we are not that is real. I hope we do win the sec but if we don't that's ok. it's one half of one game. Yes we need it but let's see if they get in a roll or they keep struggling. I don't wear blue shades

Hmmm....

 

[Aike]

Hmmm....

Since we would have to drop back to back games vs. Vandy and AtM to lose the SEC, hard to imagine any fan being ok with that.

Or considering it "realism" to expect it.

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

That's hope not being real. We did play well for a half. We should be killing teams in the sec, even Florida but we are not that is real. I hope we do win the sec but if we don't that's ok. it's one half of one game. Yes we need it but let's see if they get in a roll or they keep struggling. I don't wear blue shades

So a six game winning streak including a double digit win over #13 UF doesn't qualify as rolling?

Good gravy....

:flush:

 

[UKnCincy_rivals]

Since we would have to drop back to back games vs. Vandy and AtM to lose the SEC, hard to imagine any fan being ok with that.

Or considering it "realism" to expect it.

Exactly. Especially given the fact that this team does have talented individuals.

I think for any UK fan, that would result in bitter disappointment. Not everyone may be vocally critical, but everyone would be bitterly disappointed.

Something's off here.

 

[legendofjason21]

It's hope to say we will probably win a conference that we are leading by a game with 2 games left?

It's hope to say we will probably be a 2 or 3 seed, when pretty much every bracket maker on the planet has us as a 2 or 3 seed?

You struggle with basic logic, huh?

Ok now I don't now what you are talking about. I never mentioned the seed or wining the conf or conference championship. my whole point is that while we do have a great record it should be better and we should be blowing people out. We are not for whatever reason but people get all gity like a little school girl because of one game which is really one half. My point has been we will not lskenif far in the tourney the way we have been playing. If you do t like my opinion then stop reading and stop replying to me. it's really simple

 

[WildMoon]

Yeah, our rebounding has been better, namely BAM.

He actually averaged 10+ in the last 5 games, which is a HUGE improvement. Yesterday he also had 6 offensive rebound, that's 6 extra possession for us, that's great.

I thought we did some good defense in the past, but we also let them have the ball back, which kind of killed us.

We just need to be more consistent rebounding and eliminate some of the silly defensive mistakes and we can be really good defensive team.