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Kentucky basketball: 5 Rushed reactions vs Tennessee

By Matt Upchurch

LEXINGTON, KY - FEBRUARY 06: John Calipari the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats gives instructions to his team against the Tennessee Volunteers during the game at Rupp Arena on February 6, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - FEBRUARY 06: John Calipari the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats gives instructions to his team against the Tennessee Volunteers during the game at Rupp Arena on February 6, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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The Kentucky basketball team lost for the second time this season to the Tennessee Volunteers.

Here it is, BBN – my 5 Rushed Reactions to the Kentucky basketball team’s loss versus Tennessee at Rupp Arena. As always, these are reactions immediately following the game. No box-scores, replays, or post-game interviews have been viewed or consulted.

1. Where does Diallo fit?

This is a very crucial concern for Kentucky right now. What does Hamidou Diallo give the Wildcats? How does he help the team? Twice early in the game, Diallo was intentionally left wide open in the corner, and twice he missed badly. His man rotated to stop the dribble drive, leaving Diallo wide open to shoot the corner 3.

If Diallo cannot consistently hit the perimeter jumper, what advantage does the Kentucky basketball team have with him on the floor? He struggles to handle the ball and definitely struggled to make good decisions with the ball. If Quade Green can knock down the 3-point shot and also handle the ball, then what is Diallo’s role moving forward?

2. This is Shai’s team

It should be clear by now to all Kentucky basketball fans that John Calipari has put this team in the hands of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He is without a doubt the starting point guard for Kentucky. No longer does there seem to be any kind of competition between Alexander and Green for the PG spot.

This team belongs to SGA. When the Cats need a bucket, cue the Gilgeous-Alexander pull-up elbow jumper or the smooth finish in the paint. When the Cats need a big defensive stop, cue the Gilgeous-Alexander steal or deflection. BBN needs to come to terms with the very real possibility that Alexander is one-and-done. We should value his presence and be thankful that he’s rescued this team time and time again.

3. Man-to-man defense

Calipari has clearly reasserted his focus on the Wildcats playing man-to-man defense. Throughout the season Coach Cal has used a 2-3 zone to help the struggling Cats defend. With this much youth, inexperience and mediocre basketball IQ’s, it’s been tough for the Cats to defend in man defense.

I expected the Kentucky basketball team to continue playing the 2-3 zone because it helps disguise their defensive limitations. And let’s be honest, Calipari wants to win games. To win games right now, the Cats have to limit the amount of man-to-man defensive possessions they play.

But tonight was a clear message to BBN that the Cats are committing to their man defense. Kentucky did switch several screens tonight, typically positions 1-4. When the match-ups are there for UK, switching screens with positions 1-4 will certainly help their defensive efficiency.

4. Dickie “V” was right

Throughout the game, ESPN commentator Dick Vitale referenced the amount of standing and watching by UK players on offense. Love him or hate him, he’s absolutely correct analyzing the Kentucky offense. There is a lot of standing, watching, and relying on 1-on-1 basketball.

With the weapons UK has, I would like to see a much more fluid motion offense with cuts, reads and reactions. It’s not overly complicated, the more standing there is on offense, the easier a team you are to defend.

I keep hoping that one of Calipari’s many “tweaks” will result in more movement and motion from all 5 players. Kentucky’s stagnant offense is even more concerning with non-shooters on the floor such as Diallo, PJ Washington and Jarred Vanderbilt.

5. More SGA + Quade, please

In tonight’s game, the Cats were clicking offensively really well when SGA and Quade were on the floor at the same time. SGA has more driving lanes when Quade is on the floor because Quade’s shooting ability spreads out the defense.

If Quade’s man leaves to help on SGA, Quade will have an open look. If Quade’s man hesitates to help on the drive, then SGA will be able to get deep into the paint. The Cats are just simply more difficult to guard when there are more shooters on the floor.

UK’s best offensive threat right now is the dribble attack from Gilgeous-Alexander. The best way to do this consistently is to spread the floor. This requires shooters to be in the game, specifically Green, Kevin Knox and even Wenyen Gabriel. More Quade Green, less Hamidou Diallo, please.

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