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Kentucky basketball: 2017-18 Final reactions – Reaction No. 3

By Matt Upchurch

BOISE, ID - MARCH 17: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts during the first half against the Buffalo Bulls in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 17, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID - MARCH 17: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts during the first half against the Buffalo Bulls in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 17, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Rather than “Rushed Reactions”, this week I will unveil my final reactions from Kentucky basketball’s 2017-18 season. Here is Part 3 of my Final Reactions.

This Kentucky basketball team experienced ups and downs, highs and lows, and drove BBN crazy at times. For the youngest team in college basketball this season, there was plenty to like from this squad. But ultimately not making the Elite 8, and some head-scratching losses, there was plenty to dislike from this squad too. Here is Part 3 of my Final Reactions:

Enough of the tweaks

There have been several “tweaks” during the John Calipari era at UK. Coach Cal issued a couple tweaks this season, even though to the naked eye these tweaks didn’t lead to much improvement. College basketball comes down to making shots. When teams make shots, the offense looks good. When teams go “cold” from the perimeter, the offense looks bad.

Getting the ball in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s hands seemed to be Calipari’s original “tweak” to the offense. Having the big set a ball-screen to empty the paint, and then letting SGA create was a good move because Gilgeous-Alexander scored a lot of buckets throughout the year. He was able to get to the rim and finish, he was able to finish with floaters, and he knocked down pull-up mid-range jumpers. Aside from this, Calipari’s offense this year was very stagnant and easy to defend.

Most offensive possessions this season had three players standing still screening, while SGA had the ball and Kevin Knox ran back and forth off screens. Kansas State was very effective at shutting this down. Because three Kentucky basketball players were always standing still, KSU defenders could easily help and switch when needed.

This offense was successful with Malik Monk, De’Aaron Fox, Bam Adebayo and Derek Willis – much less successful this year. This year’s team didn’t have the consistent ability to spread the floor or score in the paint.

Next: Kentucky basketball: Final reactions to the 2017-18 season (Part 2)

Moving forward, if Calipari utilizes “small” lineups (such as no Nick Richards), then the offense needs to reflect this. Calipari would have been smart to use his traditional dribble-drive motion offense this year. For Gilgeous-Alexander, Hamidou Diallo, Knox, PJ Washington, Quade Green, Sacha Killeya-Jones, Wenyen Gabriel and even Jarred Vanderbilt, that offense would have been great.

Knox and either Green or Gabriel on opposite sides of the floor would spread out the defense. This would’ve allowed SGA, Green and Diallo to attack the basket with more space open. PJ, SKJ and Vanderbilt could play the post and look for easy duck-ins and lobs.

This incoming class has great shooters in Tyler Herro and Immanuel Quickley, then add in Quade, Jemarl Baker, and hopefully Wenyen. Next year’s freshmen class has great dribble penetration with Quickley and Keldon Johnson.

Add in Green, Quickley, Vanderbilt and PJ. With SKJ, Richards and Vanderbilt, the post presence should be improved. The 2018-2019 Kentucky basketball team is a perfect match for Calipari’s dribble-drive offense. Will he use it?

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