Mark Pope spent all offseason talking up a roster that reminded him of a “Ferrari.” The issue most fans saw was a lack of proven perimeter shooters. The lone exception was Kam Williams, who shot 40 percent from deep last season at Tulane but has managed just 24 percent this year, outside of an 8-for-10 explosion against Bellarmine.
That idea has become a nightmare as the Cats are shooting just 33% from deep on the season.
During Wednesday night’s telecast in the first half of the Missouri game, Tom Hart shared what may have been the most revealing part of his conversation with Pope. Hart said Pope admitted this team is not the offensive group Kentucky thought it was going to be, and that realization has changed the focus.
Kentucky basketball must become a top defensive team
Hart went on to say Pope emphasized that the defensive side of the ball is now critical. The problem is that Kentucky has been wildly inconsistent on both ends of the floor this season.
At times, like the second half against St. John’s, Kentucky has looked capable of playing elite defense. They talked, played passing lanes, and recovered well without allowing it to be chaotic. Other times, such as the loss in Tuscaloosa, communication completely breaks down, and the defense suffers.
Time and again, Alabama stepped into wide-open threes because the Cats simply didn’t talk to each other. The Crimson Tide made Kentucky pay, knocking down 15 of 38 from behind the arc. Kentucky, for its part, made just four. Losing the three-point line by 33 points makes competing nearly impossible, and Kentucky keeps finding itself in that position this season.
The main issue is that really doesn't have a great chance at improving a whole lot.
Why the NOAH numbers aren’t translating for the Cats
Pope has said he has never been part of a team that graded well in NOAH shooting data but struggled this much in games. NOAH tracks shot arc and entry angle, rewarding shots that pass through the center of the rim. Several Kentucky players were graded in the 90s during the preseason.
As recently as last week, Pope believed those numbers would eventually translate. He has clearly backed off that belief and rightfully so. Last year's team had a clear vision, space the floor, and be tough to defend. This year, Pope tried to load up on a different style of players, and it has backfired so far.
So what does that mean going forward? Kentucky has to lock in defensively, rebound consistently, and win the small battles that have escaped them far too often this season.
Pope has admitted the offense isn’t coming to save them. Now we find out if the defense can.