On Kentucky
Kentucky has been incredible this year. They have been number one all year long, haven't lost a game, and have wins over perennial powers like #11 Texas, #13 Kansas, #5 Louisville, #19 North Carolina and UCLA. And their closest game has been an 8 point win on the road against Louisville, while beating UCLA by 39, and Kansas by 32. So many people are talking about how Kentucky will go undefeated because they have done so well, but the biggest reason they could go undefeated is that they don't have another game against a ranked team on their schedule. Though this isn't their fault (they are the only ranked team in their conference), it could help them threaten '76 Indiana's feat as the last perfect team.
Why Kentucky's Defense Has Been So Incredible
Kentucky's offense has been great this year, and their talent is obviously the best in the country, but their defense is the key to their success. Their adjusted defense rating on kenpom.com is number one in the country, and they have had some amazing defensive games. They held Kansas, a top 15 team who scores 71 PPG, to 40 points, 12 second half points and 19.6% from the field. They also held UCLA, who is a solid team, to 7 first half points!
The key for them has been stopping teams inside. They held UCLA's starting big men to 5-24 from the field, and Kansas's starting big men to 1-12 from the field. This is the reason they have been so great on defense. Their big men are so incredibly athletic, and they have so many of them. They have 3 projected lottery pick big men this year (Karl Towns, Trey Lyles and Willie Cauley-Stein), a projected 2nd round pick this year and they have a projected 1st rounder in 2016 (Marcus Lee). This athleticism and depth gives them great rim protection. Kentucky's guards can cover threes better because they don't have to worry about getting beat, as the big guys will probably just block their shots. This takes away the two easiest ways to score lots of points, the three point line, and near the rim.
Who could beat Kentucky
2 categories:
On their schedule:
Although Kentucky won't have any really tough games until the tournament, they could get upset. Arkansas is a very solid team, who could force Kentucky into turnovers, and get easy baskets in transition. The only problem with Arkansas is that their only game against Kentucky is on the road.
Another possible team that could beat them is Tennessee. Although this one is not likely at all, Tennessee does have a legitimate 1st Team All-SEC player in Josh Richardson, and has not lost a home game this year (and has a home one vs. Kentucky). But probably the best chance Kentucky has to lose before the tourney is on the road against LSU. Although they did have temporary lapses against Old Dominion and Clemson, they beat #17 West Virginia in WVU's only loss. The biggest reason I think they could beat Kentucky is their inside play. They have one of the top inside duos in the country. Jordan Mickey averages 16.3 PPG, 10.3 RPG, and 3.6 BPG, and Jarell Martin averages 18.2 PPG and 8.9 RPG. These two would be the key if LSU is to have any chance against the Kentucky Wildcats.
In the tournament:
Right now, I think Duke and Virginia, and maybe Wisconsin probably have the best chances to beat Kentucky. They all have great defenses (top 16 nationally) and great offenses (top 4 nationally!!). Of the three, Duke has the most talent, but would have problems if they tried to match talent with UK. Virginia may have the best shot, especially if they slow down the tempo. Here are three teams with outside shots to beat UK in the tourney:
1. Villanova
Villanova just lost their first game, to Seton Hall in OT this past Saturday, but they still have a lot of talent. Daniel Ochefu and JayVaughn Pinkston anchor a solid defense and they have guards who can really shoot. The key for them will be the play of pass-first point guard Ryan Arcidiacono.
2. Texas
This may surprise, as Texas has already played Kentucky, and lost by 12. But... that game was on the road in Rupp Arena, and if they played UK at a neutral site, things might be different. Also, they were missing their best player, Isaiah Taylor, one of the top point guards in the country, who just returned from an injury. Taylor is very quick, and could create shots to improve their 29.8% shooting percentage the last time they played Kentucky.
3. Oklahoma
This one may be a little far out, as Oklahoma has lost three games and are ranked number 18 in the country. But according to kenpom.com, they have been the 312th luckiest team in the country, and with two of their losses being close, they probably should be 12-1. OU has great guards in Buddy Hield, Isaiah Cousins and Jordan Woodard. They also have a great rebounder in Ryan Spangler, and 5 starters who can shoot threes and try to stretch UK's defense.
Why Kentucky's Defense Has Been So Incredible
Kentucky's offense has been great this year, and their talent is obviously the best in the country, but their defense is the key to their success. Their adjusted defense rating on kenpom.com is number one in the country, and they have had some amazing defensive games. They held Kansas, a top 15 team who scores 71 PPG, to 40 points, 12 second half points and 19.6% from the field. They also held UCLA, who is a solid team, to 7 first half points!
The key for them has been stopping teams inside. They held UCLA's starting big men to 5-24 from the field, and Kansas's starting big men to 1-12 from the field. This is the reason they have been so great on defense. Their big men are so incredibly athletic, and they have so many of them. They have 3 projected lottery pick big men this year (Karl Towns, Trey Lyles and Willie Cauley-Stein), a projected 2nd round pick this year and they have a projected 1st rounder in 2016 (Marcus Lee). This athleticism and depth gives them great rim protection. Kentucky's guards can cover threes better because they don't have to worry about getting beat, as the big guys will probably just block their shots. This takes away the two easiest ways to score lots of points, the three point line, and near the rim.
Who could beat Kentucky
2 categories:
On their schedule:
Although Kentucky won't have any really tough games until the tournament, they could get upset. Arkansas is a very solid team, who could force Kentucky into turnovers, and get easy baskets in transition. The only problem with Arkansas is that their only game against Kentucky is on the road.
Another possible team that could beat them is Tennessee. Although this one is not likely at all, Tennessee does have a legitimate 1st Team All-SEC player in Josh Richardson, and has not lost a home game this year (and has a home one vs. Kentucky). But probably the best chance Kentucky has to lose before the tourney is on the road against LSU. Although they did have temporary lapses against Old Dominion and Clemson, they beat #17 West Virginia in WVU's only loss. The biggest reason I think they could beat Kentucky is their inside play. They have one of the top inside duos in the country. Jordan Mickey averages 16.3 PPG, 10.3 RPG, and 3.6 BPG, and Jarell Martin averages 18.2 PPG and 8.9 RPG. These two would be the key if LSU is to have any chance against the Kentucky Wildcats.
In the tournament:
Right now, I think Duke and Virginia, and maybe Wisconsin probably have the best chances to beat Kentucky. They all have great defenses (top 16 nationally) and great offenses (top 4 nationally!!). Of the three, Duke has the most talent, but would have problems if they tried to match talent with UK. Virginia may have the best shot, especially if they slow down the tempo. Here are three teams with outside shots to beat UK in the tourney:
1. Villanova
Villanova just lost their first game, to Seton Hall in OT this past Saturday, but they still have a lot of talent. Daniel Ochefu and JayVaughn Pinkston anchor a solid defense and they have guards who can really shoot. The key for them will be the play of pass-first point guard Ryan Arcidiacono.
2. Texas
This may surprise, as Texas has already played Kentucky, and lost by 12. But... that game was on the road in Rupp Arena, and if they played UK at a neutral site, things might be different. Also, they were missing their best player, Isaiah Taylor, one of the top point guards in the country, who just returned from an injury. Taylor is very quick, and could create shots to improve their 29.8% shooting percentage the last time they played Kentucky.
3. Oklahoma
This one may be a little far out, as Oklahoma has lost three games and are ranked number 18 in the country. But according to kenpom.com, they have been the 312th luckiest team in the country, and with two of their losses being close, they probably should be 12-1. OU has great guards in Buddy Hield, Isaiah Cousins and Jordan Woodard. They also have a great rebounder in Ryan Spangler, and 5 starters who can shoot threes and try to stretch UK's defense.
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