Kentucky basketball: 3 keys vs Texas A&M, TV/radio, prediction

3. Will Calipari swallow his pride and play zone defense?

The narrative exists. John Calipari does not his Kentucky basketball teams to play zone defense. We’ve heard all the reasons Cal favors a man-to-man defense versus playing zone. Man-to-man provides more accountability for the individual player, when these guys leave UK they’ll never play zone again, you should only play zone if your team is in foul trouble, and on and on it goes.

There’s a million reasons not to do something, but Kentucky’s zone defense works. It has been stifling opponents this season. The Cats possess so much length that they can disrupt the passing lanes and close out on open shooters quickly.

In league-play Aggies are 14th in three-point attempts and makes. Kentucky should make Texas A&M shoot them out of the zone. If that happens and the Aggies win while shooting 45% from downtown, you tip your cap and move on to the next game.

Calipari always talks about Kentucky being a ‘Players First’ program. While it’s understood that not teaching them man-to-man defense can be detrimental at the next level, he owes it to this young team to allow them to do what they do best. Are you listening Cal? Embrace the zone defense.