Quote Originally Posted by composite:
It sounds like UK did a great job defensively on great perimeter shooting teams. So, I'm not sure what you mean that UK doesn't apply pressure D and so KU will have ample perimeter shooting opportunities?
Whatever D that UK uses must be pretty darn effective vs perimeter shooting teams. Perhaps it's not a full-court press or a ball-hawking D. But that doesn't mean they poorly defend the perimeter shot. If so, Florida and Vandy would've had better shooting games.
For the record, I like UK. KU wants to run and that'll lead to plenty of transition opportunities for UK. I just don't think KU can keep up.
Really, there are a few ways to look at it. I don't view Kentucky's defense to be ball-hawking or pressure-heavy. Others do, but I think it's a bit misleading, even on the broadcasting and expert level if you're watching any of their games. I'm sure they'll say it tonight, but that's their opinion, not mine. Good pressure defenses force turnovers, and I alluded to this in the Louisville match-up thread. Calipari coached teams don't force many, in fact the past two years they rank #293 and #297 in doing so. The Kentucky "pressure" is just a myth. The defense looks like they pressure b/c of the size they have. They don't want to guard the perimeter, they would rather force teams to the inside where they can block a shot (his defense has ranked top 10 the last three years in blocked shots).
I guess to answer your question, the perimeter defense is effective against most teams b/c of size, not pressure. Florida brings in 5'8, 6'2, 6'3, of course they're going to struggle against 6'2, 6'7, 6'8 and whomever Kentucky throws out there. What Kentucky lacks in pressure, they make up for in size (#1 shot blocking team in the country).
The difference between Florida and Kansas is pretty large in terms of motion offense. One team shoots the three a ton without getting the ball to the interior (Florida), and the other hammers the ball in the paint, and doesn't shoot as many three's (Kansas). Which goes back to the initial point, and that's the fact that I expect Kansas to do a healthy does of at least attempting shots from the perimeter. They can go inside, but they aren't going to be able to focus on scoring there, and the offense allows the perimeter guys to re-adjust for those open jump-shots against no pressure. In terms of size, 6'3, 6'4, 6'5, and they get a bit bigger when a few more guards come off the bench.
Really a tough game. Can probably make arguments on both sides, just think the game comes down to how well (and often) Kansas looks to get points from the perimeter.
GL
Hot Forum Topics
