5 Rushed Reactions: Kentucky vs Mississippi State

3. Zone defense

Tonight’s game was unique in the sense that it might be the most zone defense the Kentucky basketball team has played in one game. As the Bulldogs started off hot, the Cats started sprinting at shooters and forcing the Bulldogs into tough, contested drives. No matter the group of five on the floor, the Wildcats played a great deal of zone defense tonight. Is this a prelude to the rest of the season? Has Calipari realized that his “youngest team ever” will simply not be ready to play efficient man-to-man defense this year?

The Cats won’t play zone defense exclusively, no way. But Calipari does seem committed to utilizing the 2-3 zone in order to win games and clamp down defensively. With Jarred Vanderbilt’s versatility and athleticism, BBN will certainly see him utilized in zone pressure.