If some of you guys want to talk some X and O's I'll add a little fodder from my Ky. standpoint. Look forward to the game and all the possibilities.
First we all hear a lot about what does it take to beat KY? which is kind of silly cause the same question applies on what does it take to beat WVU but the talking heads have to say something I guess. I will say that mostly what is said is shorten the game, pack it in on defense hope they miss 3's, get offensive rebounds and shoot well from 3. For the most part I agree with that.
On slowing down the game normally against this team if you run a lot and make for a lot of possessions I think it favors the more skilled and athletic team much like a Duke or NC will play as they just try to outscore the other team, Ky. has won these games fairly easily. The closer games have been the games played in the 50's and 60's except for the Ole Miss game when they shot 53% from 3 and this is a team that shots 33% on the season. Now you guys want to press and of course you should as that is what you do so wouldn't think you would abandon it all together which might speed things up.
On the pressing it should be interesting but I will say that it has not seemed to bother Ky that much this year even though I'd say WVU will play a better press than UK has seen. To combat that Ky plays a lot of small ball, at least for them. Everyone talks about the bigs and they are but they play a lot of 3 guard offense probably more than 3 bigs down low. Ulis will probably play as many minute as anyone and he'll be teamed with both the Harrison's or one of them and Booker. This gives them enough ball handles and even a couple of the bigs can come up and help relieve pressure. One thing about Ulis is I've never detected the kid to get rattled. When I first seen him play from day one he handles himself like a Jr., really was a pleasantly surprise. In my opinion he may be the MVP of this team. He rarely makes mistakes, gets others involved, doesn't take a bad shot, plays good D, doesn't look to score but will take what you give him and another surprise for me shoots 42% from 3. He also takes a big load off Andrew Harrison not having to run the show for 35 minutes. So with that being said I think limiting Ky's possessions is a better shot to get them.
To keep Ky. from scoring you have to be able to defend their post up game which they have been playing a lot lately mainly with Towns. Got to push him out on the floor, can't let him get it in deep as he can go over most defenders and also gets to the FT line. He has also made some ridiculous FT #'s like 29 of his last 30 or something like that and shoots 82% for the year. You can double him but he is just good enough, not great at finding open man. If you want to pack it in with a zone this could work but they will still try to get it inside through picks and drives etc. Generally this leaves some good looks from the 3 but Ky. has been good about not throwing up 3's especially when they are not hitting and that happens sometimes. If they are hitting a pretty good % of 3's that makes it tough. If you go man they will try to drive on you, hope to make, get offensive rebound or get to the foul line. 6 of the top 8 shoot 72 to 82% from the foul line. So if you go man you must stay in front of them to make it difficult for them to get to the lane. Back to the press will it limit scoring? it might and generate offense for WVU. Can you get Ky. in foul trouble, yes. If you can limit the playing time for Towns or Stein with fouls then Ky. is not nearly as good a team.
To score on Ky. I think is the key to the game. Going to be hard to beat Ky. scoring in the 50's. Teams have not been able to run out too much on them so it gets down to half court offense. I think a team needs a dynamic player/point guard( is Staten that guy) who can get in the lane and make things happen. Not a guy driving in to the trees and fling it up but pull up and hit a 10-12 footer but more important find someone for a good shot. You get in the lane and it will draw the bigs so you got to find who's open. Yes I think you need to hit a good % of three's although Ky's perimeter guys will be out on their man a step or 2 beyond the arc knowing they have back-up behind them. Got to mix up screens and cuts cause normal plays high ball screens etc they can just check off if needed and it doesn't hurt them too much. It's hard to get a match up problem for them even with Ulis for some reason. Back door cuts seem to work cause they play pretty tight man, Ga. had some success with that. Yes you can get offensive rebounds on Ky especially when all the bigs fly to the ball for the block. Again back to press making offense maybe.
Last note then I'll shut up, I think you'll see Ky. from here on out will be mostly in a 7 man rotation which is the way Cal likes to coach. Johnson may get 10-12 minutes the rest will go to the other 7.
I'll give Cal credit he got surprised when 3 of the guys came back that he wasn't expecting. So he made up that platoon stuff. What that did is keep harmony with this team as he did not have to tell some players you are not getting many minutes, and they all bought in. Of course winning helps especially when you look up and are undefeated. Mission accomplished and now he will play who he thinks are the best to give the chance to win.
Look forward to the game and hope our Ky. boys can handle the pressure you guys will bring better than us fans have. LOL
I appreciate WV as I lived in Hurricane for 6 years a long time ago.
