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Kentucky basketball: 5 rushed reactions vs Georgia

By Matt Upchurch

LEXINGTON, KY - DECEMBER 31: A basketball is shot through into a basket as the Kentucky Wildcats warm up before the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Rupp Arena on December 31, 2017 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - DECEMBER 31: A basketball is shot through into a basket as the Kentucky Wildcats warm up before the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Rupp Arena on December 31, 2017 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /
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LEXINGTON, KY – DECEMBER 31: Derek Ogbeide
LEXINGTON, KY – DECEMBER 31: Derek Ogbeide /

4. Kentucky’s zone defense is solid

The Wildcats have continued to work on their zone defense and it shows. The Cats matched up well out of the 2-3 zone and their length definitely bothered Georgia. The Bulldogs are not a great three-point shooting team, but were formidable scoring in the paint. Calipari changed to the 2-3 zone, and Georgia struggled to adapt.

The zone of Green and Gilgeous-Alexander up top and Diallo, Washington and Killeya-Jones on the bottom was a very efficient defensive group. Killeya-Jones did a solid job protecting the paint while Quade Green and Gilgeous-Alexander applied pressure up top. The athleticism of Diallo and Washington on the wings, same with Gabriel and Knox when they were in, really helped to shut down Georgia’s scoring options.

SEC opponents that struggle to scoring consistently from the perimeter are very likely to see the Wildcats’ zone. Teams will be able to recreate in practice the 2-3 zone Kentucky plays, and maybe even the Kentucky size. But it’s very unlikely that SEC opponents will be able to recreate the speed, athleticism and energy of Kentucky’s zone.

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