UK Basketball: 5 rushed reactions from the loss to UCLA

NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 23: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts during the second half of the CBS Sports Classic against the UCLA Bruins at the Smoothie King Center on December 23, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 23: Prince Ali /

2. Pick and roll defense

Yikes. Over the last three seasons, Kentucky’s pick and roll defense has been borderline atrocious. Thomas Welsh hit shot after shot due to UK’s inability to guard the ball-screen. Nick Richards especially struggled, but so did Washington. I would hope that “Camp Cal” can get this straightened out. There’s no doubt SEC opponents will continuously put UK in ball-screen situations. UCLA’s final half-court possession with under 45 seconds left in the game put Holiday and Welsh in a pick and roll situation that led to a Holiday layup.

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