Kentucky basketball: Game preview, 3 keys vs Arkansas
By Drew Koch
3. Play uptempo
By now you know Mike Anderson’s style of play. 40-minutes of Hell. Arkansas is going to play at a break-neck pace up and down the court, implement full court press and speed you up. Arkansas plays in best in transition. The Wildcats have the athletes to run with Arkansas, but should they? Yes!
I think this game sets up great for Hamidou Diallo. Yes, the same Diallo who I criticized last week. Look, I still maintain that Diallo is not yet a first-round NBA talent and has played selfishly this season. However, Coach Cal has limited Diallo’s minutes of late, and maybe the coach’s decision to keep Diallo on the bench has finally gotten through.
Diallo only played 15 minutes against Alabama. With the way Arkansas plays, I expect Diallo to be playing in excess of 20 minutes Tuesday night. Diallo was 3-of-9 from the field Saturday night, but more importantly he attempted only 1 three-point shot. Diallo is not a three-point shooter, and if he can get that through his head, and attack the basket (especially in transition) he may find himself on the floor more often.