January 8, 201610 yr I feel like every year since Coach Cal has been here, that people suggest that the Wildcats should play more zone. Zone could possibly be what is best. However I think Coach Cal has done well enough for us to trust the process. I think some of us have forgot what it is like to be a normal college team that will lose some games, and not go undefeated lol. He went to a zone against UCONN in the 2014 championship game and pulled within 1 point in the second half, then decided to go back to his man defense and the Huskies pulled away again behind lightening quick guards Napier and Boatright. UK didn't have an answer for them in man defense but the zone was giving them headaches. I've never understood that coaching decision by Cal. I suppose he had his reasons. As soon as he switched back to man those two guards went to work on the Cats again. A zone is not the worst defense on the planet. Syracuse won a national title using a 2-3 zone. Louisville played a lot of zone in their title run in 2013.
January 8, 201610 yr Cuse and Louisville have had some of the best defenses in the country in recent years running a version of the 2-3. A zone can be very effective if you have the right personnel. It also has it's downfalls. If a team is knocking down the jumpers you "allow" them to take in the zone, it makes for a long night. Gotta know when to come out of it.
January 8, 201610 yr He went to a zone against UCONN in the 2014 championship game and pulled within 1 point in the second half, then decided to go back to his man defense and the Huskies pulled away again behind lightening quick guards Napier and Boatright. UK didn't have an answer for them in man defense but the zone was giving them headaches. I've never understood that coaching decision by Cal. I suppose he had his reasons. As soon as he switched back to man those two guards went to work on the Cats again. A zone is not the worst defense on the planet. Syracuse won a national title using a 2-3 zone. Louisville played a lot of zone in their title run in 2013. Very true! However even in that game people remember Napier going off, however UCONN only scored 60 points. That should be enough to win a college basketball game, defense is not the reason they lost that game. Both times UK lost to Uconn in the final four and the Championship game, it wasnt because of defense even though Uconn had guards go off in both games. If you hold someone to 60 then you played a good defensive game. Both of those games they lost was because of the offense not hitting a shot. I just find it weird that each year people question the defense and say we should play more zone. Yet the way Cal has had his teams play defense come tournament time has allowed them to be to 4 final fours, 2 Championship games, and 1 title in the last 5 years. In fact each time we have lost in the tournament with Coach Cal it hasn't been the defense for the reason why. It has been the lack of ability to put the ball in the hoop in those games. The zone very well could end up being the best defense for this years team. However I think Cal has done enough for us to trust he will have it right by tournament time.
March 13, 201610 yr Very possible this is a Bubble Team this year and will be fortunate to make it to theNCAA tourney. They're going to lose quite a few more games, and not go far in the SEC tournament. That is unless something drastically happens to show me something different. The 2013 NIT team (with a healthy Noel) was possibly better than these Cats. This team will be fine come tournament time when they are playing on neutral courts. They are going to have some bad lumps along the way but come tournament time, I think they will have enough guys settle into roles that are needed to win games. This team is a lot like the 2011 and 2014 teams. Very bad team on the road but by the end of the year, especially with guards in Murray and Ullis they should make a run imo. Wow people over reacted in the moment after the Duke win talking about how this team may be better than last year's team and definitely better offensively. A month later and people are over reacting and saying this team may be worst than the nit team. UK fans live in the moment way to much. This team will take some lumps but come tournament time they will be fine. I think they will be a 3 or 4 seed and not close to missing the tournament. Spot on on all accounts. Actually, more laughable. Briscoe can't shoot, that is obvious. But there is more to offense than just shooting at which he excels. He can dribble, pass, set screens, etc. And defensively he can play. Willis is practically inept defensively, and his offensive repertoire consists of shooting baseline threes and making awkward passes because he knows he can't finish plays. He is not the best defender, but imo UK looks better when he is on the floor. I honestly want to see him play more now. Another fun thread to look back and see how far UK has came this season.
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