Matchups against Kentucky
- Thread starter BigDan
- Start date
Gonna take a HELL of a coaching job by Fred to give us a chance. We're outmanned across the board like we were against Baylor and we found a way to win. Gonna need another one of those tomorrow.
Gotta close out the boards and get back in transition. Can't give up easy dunks and layups in transition and make sure the Unibrow/Jones don't get a shot at put backs. Need Scotty to have his best game in a Cyclone uniform because he's going to be picked on.
Gotta close out the boards and get back in transition. Can't give up easy dunks and layups in transition and make sure the Unibrow/Jones don't get a shot at put backs. Need Scotty to have his best game in a Cyclone uniform because he's going to be picked on.
Thankfully they aren't a very deep team but when their starters are in the game here are the match ups.
1. Marcus Teague vs. Chris Allen
2. Doron Lamb vs. Scott Christopherson (ouch)
3. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist vs. Chris Babb (very interesting matchup for Babb)
4. Terrence Jones vs. Royce White (an absolute battle)
5. Anthony Davis vs. Melvin Ejim (also ouch)
So you think we'll have to play big with Ejim, Booker, and White most of the time then? I would probably agree with you. If we do that:
1. Chris Allen vs. Marcus Teague
2. Chris Babb vs. Doron Lamb
3. Melvin Ejim vs. Terrence Jones
4. Anthony Booker vs. Anthony Davis
5. Royce White vs. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
I'm much more comfortable with those match ups than if Scott is in the game. Just like last night we won't be able to hide him on defense.
I think we'll change up the line up from time to time, just like we always do. Don't forget that we cause match up problems for them too, and Scottie is too valuable on offense to sit for long. He also played decent defense last night. Not world beating, but if he can hold serve on that end, he wins the match up with his offense.
We can hide Scotty better by hedging picks better. They get a lot of points on pick and rolls which turn into alley-oops to the roller. Defend the pick and roll with a hard hedge so the guard can't go around, and guard the roller from the front with help from the back. Keep it packed in and if they kick and hit a three they kick and hit a three. I'd rather they beat us from deep than getting dunked on all game.
I think Scotty's issue is going to be getting free. He won't have a clean look at a shot.
And Scott got abused on defense last night.
I think Scotty's issue is going to be getting free. He won't have a clean look at a shot.
And Scott got abused on defense last night.
We need to force them to shoot as many 3's as possible. Do you think we'll play any zone, especially when Scotty is in the game?
If we can get back and stop penetration I think we have a chance. During the game yesterday, it was mentioned that 30% of Kentucky's offense came from the fast break. We did a good job against UCONN but that has to continue.
Unfortunately getting back and especially stopping penetration have been two of our bigger defensive weaknesses. I'm sure Fred realizes that and will get it cleaned up before the game.
I think a zone might be a good idea as long as we can still rebound effectively. Kentucky's weakness on offense is perimeter shooting.
That looks much better to me. I'd probably switch Ejim and Royce around but I'm not the coach.
