Recap: Kentucky's elite defense shuts down KU shooters
Note: Here is a listing of definitions for some terms used in this blog. Also, feel free to ask questions in the comments section below if something doesn't make sense.
The good news for Kansas is that won't see a defense like that again this season.
In fact, it might not see another defense like that in the next 10 seasons.
Kansas guard Naadir Tharpe extends to the bucket as Kentucky forward Terrance Jones swoops in to swat his shot during the first half on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
by Nick Krug
Kentucky coach John Calipari — already known as a strong defensive coach — appears to have assembled a defensive dream team at UK.
Anthony Davis, Terrence Jones and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist are blessed with length, athleticism and also great defensive instincts.
Kansas guard Tyshawn Taylor is smothered by Kentucky forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist during the second half on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
by Nick Krug
That combination made nearly every shot difficult for KU in its 75-65 loss Tuesday, as the Jayhawks mustered just 0.89 points per possession — its third-worst offensive efficiency in the last three seasons.
KU's defense actually wasn't bad. Because of strong defensive rebounding and a high steal percentage, the Jayhawks held Kentucky to just 1.03 points per possession. That would have ranked in the bottom-third of offensive performances for the Wildcats last year.
It still wasn't nearly enough, as KU never could find a rhythm offensively against UK's talented and tall defenders.
M.O.J. (Most Outstanding Jayhawk)
This one's not as close as you might think, as Tyshawn Taylor was easily KU's best player statistically against Kentucky.
Kansas guard Tyshawn Taylor gets an earful from Kentucky guard Doron Lamb and a cluster of Kentucky fans after Lamb hit a three-pointer during the second half on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
by Nick Krug
The senior guard posted 1.29 points per possession used (second on the team to Justin Wesley, who took just one shot), while also taking on a huge offensive load, as he ended 26.5 percent of the possessions he was in.
With little else working, KU coach Bill Self asked his guards to attack UK's defense off the dribble in the second half, and Taylor found success doing so. His free-throw rate of 130.7 was outstanding, especially considering the fact that he shot a lot of field goals. He also attempted 17 free throws —
the most by a Jayhawk since Wayne Simien had 20 against UAB on March 26, 2004. It also was the third-most free throws shot in a game by a KU player in the last 15 seasons.
It wasn't always pretty, but Taylor was KU's best source of offense against Kentucky. He also didn't turn it over, and now has just one turnover in 57 minutes during his two games this season.
Room for Improvement
It's going to sound like a huge oversimplification, but KU needed to shoot the ball better.
Kansas players Thomas Robinson, Jeff Withey and Conner Teahan watch the remaining minutes of the game against Kentucky during the second half on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
by Nick Krug
The Jayhawks effective field goal percentage was just 37.3 percent,
which was the eighth-worst shooting effort by a KU team in the last 15 seasons.
Obviously, Kentucky's big men were the biggest reason for KU's struggles.
The Wildcats blocked 13 shots, which is the most ever recorded against a KU team. Also, Kentucky swatted 22 percent of KU's two-point field goal attempts, while Anthony Davis himself blocked 19.2 percent of the two-pointers that KU took while he was in the game.
Kansas forward Thomas Robinson is hounded by Kentucky defenders Terrence Jones (3) and Anthony Davis (23) while going for a rebound during the second half on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
by Nick Krug
Once UK rejected a few shots inside, you could see KU's players becoming timid around the rim.
The Jayhawks finished with just 20 field goals made,
tying for the seventh-fewest in the Bill Self era.
Tough-Luck Line
Thomas Robinson had a tough game against UK, but that didn't stop him from having a huge impact on the defensive boards (He pulled down 40.4 percent of the available defensive rebounds).
Instead, the "Tough-Luck Line" goes to Travis Releford, who had one of his worst games as a Jayhawk.
Kansas guard Travis Releford defends a pass by Kentucky forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist during the second half on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
by Nick Krug
The junior posted 0.37 points per possession used while ending 17.6 percent of KU's possessions while he was in. He also turned it over on 55.6 percent of the possessions he ended.
To put it another way: In his 28 minutes, Releford had five turnovers. No one else on the team had more than two.
The 6-foot-6 guard/small forward also hasn't been able to help steal KU extra possessions, as he has no offensive rebounds during his 53 minutes in the Jayhawks' first two games.
Bottom Line
There were actually a few positives KU could take away from its loss on Tuesday.
The Jayhawks did a nice job on the defensive glass, as the Wildcats pulled down just 24.2 percent of the available offensive rebounds — their sixth-lowest percentage in the last two seasons.
Kansas forward Thomas Robinson vies for a rebound with Kentucky forward Anthony Davis during the second half Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
by Nick Krug
KU also forced turnovers on 26 percent of UK's possessions — the second-worst UK mark in the last two seasons — while giving it away on just 19.2 percent of its own possessions.
Though UK had a high free-throw rate (56.9), many of those free throws came late in the game. Also, KU offset some of that number with a high free-throw rate of its own (45.8).
Shooting has the biggest statistical impact on winning and losing, though, and the Jayhawks' eFG% of 37.3 percent was nearly 20 percent lower than its season average from last year (57 eFG%).
Meanwhile, UK had an eFG% of 57.8 percent, including a 76 eFG% in the second half.
KU's loss to Kentucky dropped the Jayhawks all the way from
No. 8 in the KenPom rankings to ... No. 9.
In other words, the 75-65 loss to Kentucky was a result that shouldn't have been too unexpected (
especially if you're a reader of the Cram Session).
A loss to Kentucky — especially in Game No. 2 — shouldn't be a reason for KU fans to panic.
Kansas players Thomas Robinson (0) and Elijah Johnson make their way from the court following the Jayhawks' loss to Kentucky on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
by Nick Krug
There will be a lot of offenses this year that won't look like themselves against the defensive juggernaut that Calipari has assembled.
