Kentucky Basketball Improving Defense in Latest KenPom Ratings
The Kentucky Wildcats did not take much of a jump in the KenPom ratings despite defeating an AP top 10 opponent this past weekend.
The Cats beat No. 11 North Carolina 87-83 in the CBS Sports Classic on Saturday. The Tar Heels were ranked No. 9 at the time of the contest.
As it stands on Monday, December 18th, the Wildcats are No. 15 nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency and No. 44 in adjusted defensive efficiency.
That defensive mark is nine sports higher than the last time we checked in on UK's ratings following the Penn game. Having both Ugonna Onyenso and Aaron Bradshaw on the floor could prove to be a deadly combo on defense.
Here are some notable stats the Wildcats are really strong or weak in nationally:
Offense
Effective FG %: 57.2 (No. 14)
Turnover %: 12.5 (No. 2)
Off. Reb. %: 27.7 (No. 234)
3P%: 40.6 (No. 6)
Point Distribution, 3-Pointers: 34.6% (No. 79)
Defense
Avg. Poss. Length: 17.1 (No. 167)
Block %: 15.1 (No. 19)
Steal %: 12.2 (No. 38)
3PA/FGA (What percentage of opponent shots are 3-pointers): 44.1 (No. 337)
A/FGM (Assist percentage): 54.4 (No. 263)
Point Distribution, 3-Pointers: 37.3 (No. 24)
Personnel
Bench Minutes %: 29.8 (No. 219)
2-Foul Participation %: 9.1 (No. 286)
Notes:
Kentucky had a 100% 2-foul participation until the Penn game, where it tanked to 9.1%. It's now at 4.5%. I have no idea why this happened. It was likely an error in KenPom's system.
Kentucky's point distribution has begun to shift a bit off of reliance on three-pointers. Their point distribution (percentage of total points from three, two, and the foul line) from three has dropped from 35.3% to 34.6%.
It should also be noted that Kentucky's defensive possession length has shrunk to an average 17.1 seconds. The adjusted tempo for the Wildcats has also risen to No. 22 nationally. Their defensive block percentage has risen from No. 36 to No. 19.
Bench minutes have slightly increased from 29.5% to 29.8%. This will be interesting to monitor as Ugo and Bradshaw get more comfortable in the lineup. Bradshaw has seemingly replaced Thiero as a starter at power forward, so minutes off of the bench should be increasing, especially with these next two games (Louisville, Illinois State).
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