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Kentucky basketball: 5 Rushed reactions vs Kansas St.

By Matt Upchurch

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 22: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts in the first half against the Kansas State Wildcats during the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional at Philips Arena on March 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 22: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts in the first half against the Kansas State Wildcats during the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional at Philips Arena on March 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 22: The Kentucky Wildcats huddle against the Kansas State Wildcats in the first half during the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament South Regional at Philips Arena on March 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 22: The Kentucky Wildcats huddle against the Kansas State Wildcats in the first half during the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament South Regional at Philips Arena on March 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

5. No offensive adjustments

Calipari did a good job making some defensive adjustments throughout the game. He switched back and forth between zone and man defense. Calipari used a couple instances of run-and-jump trapping defenses. Calipari teams still cannot guard ball-screens/pick-and-rolls, and this hurt UK against KSU. Coach Cal also went to switching all screens, positions 1-5, which was effective.

Calipari did not, however, make effective offensive adjustments. KSU’s defense against SGA was solid for most of the night. When KSU corralled and jammed SGA’s drives to the basket, Calipari did not make an adjustment. This cost the Cats some costly turnovers in the 2nd half.

When KSU committed to stopping Kevin Knox from getting open on the baseline screens, it worked. KSU bumped him, switched screens, and refused to let him get open. Calipari made no adjustment.

It would have been interesting had Calipari decided to use Knox as a screener. Calipari could have used Knox to set the ball-screen for SGA; this would have opened space. KSU was NOT going to leave Knox, and if they did, SGA would hit him for an open shot.

It also would have been smart if the Cats put Knox in the post, and 4-out around him. Put Quade or Wenyen on the opposite wing to prevent weak-side defensive help. Calipari stuck with the same ‘ol same ol’ offensive scheme, and UK failed to reach 60 points.

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