Kentucky basketball: 5 rushed reactions vs Mizzou

The Kentucky basketball team fell on the road in Columbia to the Missouri Tigers 60-69.

It was a frustrating game for Big Blue Nation. The Kentucky basketball team didn’t bring their “A” game with them to Missouri, as they lost to the host Tigers 60-69. Frustrated or not, here are my 5 ‘Rushed Reactions’ from the game.

1. Defensive Identity

What is this Kentucky basketball team’s defensive identity? Is it playing man-to-man defense in the half-court? What about playing 2-3 zone? Is it the 2-2-1 full-court press? Or is it the man-to-man run and jump trapping defense in the full-court?

Calipari is grasping at straws here trying to find something to work. Unfortunately for the Cats, the traditional man-to-man defense that Calipari uses is not working this year. The Cats struggle to keep dribble penetration out of the paint. Unlike previous seasons, this Kentucky team does not have a great shot-blocker protecting the paint.

When the Wildcats have gone to a 2-3 zone, Calipari abandons it after the opponent hits their first three-point shot. The 2-2-1 press was utilized early in the season, but has rarely been spotted after Christmas.

Tonight’s game showed a very desperate Kentucky defense late in the game. In an absolutely critical situation to force turnovers, Calipari went to an aggressive trapping defense. It worked! Kentucky created turnovers, scored some easy buckets and noticeably made Mizzou feel uncomfortable with the ball.

The length, speed and athleticism of the Kentucky basketball team bodes well for full-court trapping defense. This Kentucky offense can struggle offensively in the half-court as well, especially when Kevin Knox isn’t hitting perimeter shots. The full-court trapping defense can help alleviate some scoring issues by creating turnovers for transition opportunities.