Kentucky basketball: Game preview, 3 keys vs Auburn

2. Defend the outside shot

This key is pretty simple, and it may the deciding factor in the game. Perimeter shooting. The Kentucky basketball team leads the SEC in three-point defense and Auburn leads the conference in three-point offense. It’s the irresistible force meeting the immovable object. Something has to give.

As was mentioned early, Auburn is flat-out filling it up from downtown. The Tigers have 7 players who shoot better than 30% from behind the arc. Leading the way is Bryce Brown who  is attempting over 8 perimeter attempts per game. Not only is Brown taking over 8 three-pointers per game, he’s knocking them down at just a shade under 42%.

Auburn’s sophomore guard Jared Harper, while only 5’10”, is also knocking down at a serious clip from three-point territory. The undersized guard from Mabelton, Georgia is hitting 41.3% from downtown. Harper is also dishing out 6 assists per game, so if he’s not open from deep, he’s going to find the Tiger who is.

I don’t know if a 2-3 zone defense is going to work against Auburn. This Kentucky basketball team has lacked an identity all season long. There is one thing the Cats do well and that’s defend the three. Kentucky is No. 1 in the conference (29%) and No. 3 in the nation (29%) in opponent three-point percentage. The Wildcats must lock down Auburn’s shooters to have a shot Wednesday night.