Saturday at noon, Kentucky has an opportunity to fix all the messes that have been made over the last few weeks. It’s a chance to get back in the win column and turn the season around.
Kentucky currently ranks No. 112 nationally in KenPom for defense. That is not an encouraging sign for success as the season progresses into its most critical month and time of year.
One of the biggest issues facing Kentucky is their inability to force turnovers. On Tuesday night against Ole Miss, they only managed to force one turnover—just one! Without Lamont Butler, they struggle to stay in front of their man, which affects their ability to create offensive transition baskets. The defense tends to get left behind when Butler is out, leading to a lack of success overall.
Saturday is a must-win, and it must start on the defensive end.
At times this season, Kentucky has been in physical games, and it felt like the effort wasn’t there; they seemed to quit. This was particularly noticeable in the first half against Ole Miss, on the road at Georgia, and early in the season against Ohio State. If Kentucky wants to be where it needs to be, it must bring more fight and physicality to the forefront and set the game’s tone.
Mark Pope might have started somewhat of a trend in the most recent game. He mentioned his hand postgame and on his radio show and why he had it bandaged, as noted:
Maybe it’s time the Cats stopped playing nice and got out there to be the more physical team. Nobody takes on that role more than the head coach, and perhaps this is the spark needed to wake them up from their mental slumber.
South Carolina is coming in with a down year, especially considering they played in the NCAA tournament just last year. They’ve lost some players to the portal and others to the NBA, and it’s not been the season many in Columbia had hoped for.
This season has been a rollercoaster, to say the least. The Gamecocks come in sitting dead last in the conference standings at 0-9, and a few of those losses have been close. They faced tough competition against top teams in the conference like Auburn and Florida, in which South Carolina even led by double digits during those games.
At some point, the dam has to break, right? This presents a big opportunity for them on the road to change that.
Saturday is a crucial game for Kentucky as the season moves forward. It’s a must-win situation; losing could spell trouble as the season gets tougher. With frustrations already brewing among fans and the media, it’s essential to focus and figure out how to secure a victory. Tennessee and Texas are on the horizon, so it’s important to build momentum as we approach the final stretch of the season.
The defense has consistently been the major area that needs improvement, as the offense generally performs well. South Carolina enters this matchup ranked among the lowest for offense in the SEC, making this a crucial opportunity for Kentucky to address its issues. This is the game Kentucky needs to get back on track and make the necessary adjustments.
With Lamont Butler out for the foreseeable future, it’s vital for the team to adapt and learn how to win without him as they gear up for tournament play.
As Mark Pope mentioned this past week, “Kentucky has a standard.” It’s time for the team to step up and start playing up to that standard.
For more Kentucky basketball coverage, Click here. Can Kentucky Find It’s Lost Spark When It Matters Most – Stadium Rant
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