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Three Things Kentucky Basketball Must Do to Reach the Final Four

By Frank Spencer

Mar 12, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Dominique Hawkins (25) celebrates after being named to the all tournament team following a win Arkansas Razorbacks during the SEC Conference Tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Kentucky won 82-65. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Dominique Hawkins (25) celebrates after being named to the all tournament team following a win Arkansas Razorbacks during the SEC Conference Tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Kentucky won 82-65. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kentucky Basketball
Feb 18, 2017; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs guard J.J. Frazier (30) drives past Kentucky Wildcats guard Dominique Hawkins (25) in the second half at Stegeman Coliseum. Kentucky won 82-77. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

To Kentucky, defense has become a priority.

Key contributors on the defensive side of the ball include Dominique Hawkins, Derek Willis and Bam Adebayo. In recent contests, this trio of Wildcats have shown up defensively. During their 11 game winning streak, John Calipari’s squad has only allowed more than 70 points in a game on three occasions.

Derek Willis

Derek Willis has shown up on the defensive glass in a resurgence into the starting lineup. The Mt. Washington Senior tallied seven total blocks this weekend leading the Wildcats. During the SEC Tournament, in their opening matchup, Willis dominated on the boards pulling down 11 total rebounds. Also, Willis poured in seven points giving aid to the Wildcats’ offensive effort.

Dominique Hawkins

Dominique Hawkins hasn’t jumped out on the stat sheet this season but its evident that the Senior has made his presence known defensively. In the Cats’ SEC Championship game, Hawkins did manage to tally a career high 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting to go along with his four steals. His presence to guard the ball is by-far his best asset to this team. Hawkins effort and vigilance did not go unnoticed as he was one of three Wildcats selected to the SEC All-Tournament Squad.

Bam Adebayo

Bam Adebayo has crashed the glass as well. The talented freshman has pulled down at least six rebounds in each game of the Cats’ current 11 game winning streak. That includes three double-double efforts as well as back to back 15 rebound performances. During the SEC Tournament, Bam managed to come up just short of three consecutive double doubles. The North Carolina native tallied 13 points and 10 rebounds against Georgia. In addition, Adebayo was just one rebound shy of another double-double in the semifinal matchup with Alabama. The Freshman was also just one board shy of a double-double effort in Sunday’s SEC Championship victory over Arkansas.

Moving Forward

In the coming weeks, Kentucky Basketball will need these names to step up and continue their defensive efforts. John Calipari has already raved about the teams’ defensive effectiveness. In order for Kentucky to find themselves in the Final Four, they will need to do it on the defensive end of the floor. In past efforts against UCLA and North Carolina, which are both in the South Region with Kentucky, defense was not one of the better aspects of their game.

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