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Kentucky basketball: 5 Rushed reactions vs Arkansas

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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LEXINGTON, KY – JANUARY 23: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
LEXINGTON, KY – JANUARY 23: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander /

3. Five Cats in double digits

The victory over Arkansas was a really solid offensive performance by the Kentucky basketball team. This group of Wildcats really seem to feast on pressure defenses. Against Arkansas, and UK’s win against West Virginia were two of the more impressive victories for the Cats. Both of those wins came against defenses that pressure full court and try to turn opponents over. Kentucky has done really well against these defenses, as witness by 5 different Cats scoring in double digits. I haven’t seen the box scores yet, but I wonder how close Kentucky was to a 6th player in double digits?

Opposing coaches want to take away the other team’s best scoring threat. If there’s only one legit threat, then it’s pretty easy to do. If teams have 2 players who can fill it up, it gets more challenging. When teams have 3 legit scorers, well it gets much more difficult. But to have 4 or 5 players who can score is basically a surplus of wealth.

When you look back at teams that have won the NCAA championships in the last 10 years, I’m sure most of them have had at 3 or 4 major scoring threats. If Kentucky wants to have success in the postseason, they will need consistent scoring from 3 or 4 players each game.

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