The Kentucky Wildcats were a poor defensive team for much of the past season, but when they got to the NCAA Tournament, they sharpened their claws. Kentucky bothered UCLA and point guard Lonzo Ball in the Sweet 16. The Wildcats were disruptive on defense and showed the ability to lock down opponents. They smothered Wichita State one game before the UCLA victory, and they fought from behind to take North Carolina down to the final possession before losing on a buzzer-beater. This team was not always attentive on defense, but in the NCAA Tournament, coach John Calipari was able to earn the trust and focus of his players. A new season brings the possibility that Kentucky will be an improved defensive team and lean on that side of the court to become a Final Four threat.
Offseason Changes
The Wildcats run through one-and-done players, so the conveyor belt is active once again in Lexington. Malik Monk was the light-it-up shooter who, when he got on a hot streak, was impossible to stop. Monk was streaky, which was his main drawback, but he was able to hit from unlimited range when he found his shooting touch. That kind of potency will be hard for Kentucky to bring back on this year’s roster. Monk was a special talent whose gifts were more valuable than any negatives caused by his erratic play.
Kentucky also lost De’Aaron Fox, a jitterbug of a point guard who could break down defenders off the dribble with great consistency and who evolved as a defender, taking on the toughest assignments and being the main man who contained Lonzo Ball in the NCAA Tournament against UCLA. Fox has to work on his jump shot, but for Kentucky last season, he did everything else. It will be hard to replace him chiefly because of his court sense and understanding of defensive angles.
Kentucky also lost Bam Adebayo, a muscular bruiser in the paint who is doing well for the Miami Heat in the early part of the NBA season. The Wildcats must regroup in a number of places.
Naturally, they have reinforcements coming. Jared Vanderbilt is a five-star recruit, but his health is in question and he will not be ready for the start of the season. Kevin Knox is the elite guard in John Calipari’s new recruiting class. He could be a devastating perimeter force. Jemarl Baker is another top-tier recruit, but he isn’t eligible just yet, having run into a snag.
Will Succeed If…
The team defense is exceptional. Monk was not a good defender, but Adebayo was. Kentucky was hit or miss on defense last year. Calipari will emphasize the importance of being able to withstand scoring droughts. Kentucky must fortify itself at the defensive end of the floor. The Wildcats will then reduce some of the inconsistencies which marked their SEC season. Being good on defense at the start of January, not the end of February, will make this season a lot better.
Won’t Succeed If…
The Vanderbilt injury and the Baker eligibility issue aren’t resolved satisfactorily. These are two essential cogs to the Kentucky machine. Calipari can’t win at a high level without them, plain and simple.
Roster
Quade Green
Sacha Killeya-Jones
Jarred Vanderbilt
Hamidou Diallo
Nick Richards
Kevin Knox
Jonny David
Brad Calipari
Jemarl Baker
Tai Wynyard
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
PJ Washington
Dillon Pulliam
Wenyen Gabriel
Schedule & Outlook
The questions about the health or eligibility of the roster loom large. What could happen, though, is that if they are resolved in January, those freshmen will have fresher legs and could play with a level of energy a lot of other teams will lack. Kentucky is known for late-season runs under Calipari after modest Decembers and Januaries. That could well be the template again this year.
The 2018 March Madness futures are out. There has been plenty of news to keep up with in the offseason but keep an eye on the betting lines as they move around at Diamond Sportsbook! Get the latest college basketball betting lines right here.
