Kentucky Basketball's Defense Isn't As Bad As KenPom Thinks
The Kentucky Wildcats are getting no love from KenPom.
Despite the Wildcats having a top five offense according to the analytics website, they continue to plummet in adjusted defensive efficiency. Now the Wildcats have fallen from the low 50s to No. 73 in the ratings.
As expected, after the Wildcats gave up 96 points to Georgia.
While Kentucky has admittedly struggled on defense this season, how bad is it really? UK is still in the top half nationally in almost ever major category and boasts a solid effective field goal and 3-point defense.
Here are some notable stats the Wildcats are really strong or weak in on KenPom nationally:
Offense
Effective FG %: 58.1 (No. 3)
Turnover %: 13.2 (No. 4)
Off. Reb. %: 27.6 (No. 234)
3P%: 40.2 (No. 7)
Point Distribution, 3-Pointers: 33.7% (No. 87)
Defense
Avg. Poss. Length: 17.0 (No. 110)
3P%: 31.3 (No. 64)
Block %: 15.2 (No. 9)
Steal %: 10.9 (No. 72)
3PA/FGA (What percentage of opponent shots are 3-pointers): 42.5% (No. 319)
A/FGM (Assist percentage): 52.6 (No. 228)
Point Distribution, 3-Pointers: 33.4 (No. 87)
Personnel
Bench Minutes %: 30.3 (No. 214)
2-Foul Participation %: 5.8% (No. 335)
Notes:
Kentucky had a 100% 2-foul participation until the Penn game, where it tanked to 9.1%. It's now at 5.8% after fluctuating up to 12.0%. I continue to be confused as to how this is calculated and why the percentage changes so dramatically at times.
Kentucky has become less reliant on the outside shot over its last few games. The Wildcats now sit outside the top 80 in 3-point distribution. It will be interesting to see if SEC defenses run UK off of the three-point more consistently as conference play continues.
Kentucky was No. 43 in defensive rating after the Florida game. They're now No. 73. A better defense would certainly make Kentucky's wins more impressive, but with the offense flying as high as it is, it may not matter (most of the time).
The addition of Zvonimir Ivisic has helped increase bench minutes, which have gone up about one percent since the Florida game. Will that number continue to rise?
