Best SEC offense/Worst defense in the SEC

[Digger-Cat]

The fact that we are the #1 offense in the best league, is incredible, but having the worst defense in the league, is mind boggling.
There are two 0-5 teams in the league and they are better defensively.
There's no reason for us to be this bad defensively, not with the guys we have.
But, again, to nab a roster out of the portal and still have the best offense in the SEC, is unbelievable.

 

[UKFanNIndiana]

It's understandable. UK has great skill players. However, other than Butler and Oweh, they are not athletic enough at the other 3 positions when they are not on the floor to guard all 5 spots. It showed yesterday as every player not named those two got beat off the dribble several times. It also doesn't help that Carr is having back issues, which has affected him defensively, which really showed up yesterday as well.

 

[megablue]

It's understandable. UK has great skill players. However, other than Butler and Oweh, they are not athletic enough at the other 3 positions when they are not on the floor to guard all 5 spots. It showed yesterday as every player not named those two got beat off the dribble several times. It also doesn't help that Carr is having back issues, which has affected him defensively, which really showed up yesterday as well.

This is a very good synopsis, I think. ^^^

 

[ukcatfaninsc]

UK has also had the most difficult start of conference play of anyone in the league with 5 straight top 25 opponents, 4 of which are top 15, 2 top 10. This stat will likely change in favor of the Cats once they play the LSU’s and SC’s of the league.

 

[cathouse]

Pope could hold the ball on offense, slow the game down, make it a rock fight, like the best " defensive" coaches do in games, and then we could be at the top of defense and bottom of offense in the league.

I LOVE Pope's coaching style. The defense will get better when he has time to recruit and develop better defenders.

Right now, we just have to hope we outscore the top teams.

That will change.

 

[YardCat]

Screw it, let’s see if we can out score the other team and hope we get a couple more stops to win the game. Alabama shot a good percentage from 3, had more rebounds and shot 14 more free throws and only won by 5pts. If, we play the same way at Bama and get a fair shake from the officials, we walk out a winner, I’m not worried at Coach Pope finding ways to make adjustments.

 

[B.B.H.]

It's understandable. UK has great skill players. However, other than Butler and Oweh, they are not athletic enough at the other 3 positions when they are not on the floor to guard all 5 spots. It showed yesterday as every player not named those two got beat off the dribble several times. It also doesn't help that Carr is having back issues, which has affected him defensively, which really showed up yesterday as well.

Agreed. I don’t know what people expect outside of Pope himself lining up out there and floor slapping. When I watch this team, I don’t see a team that has me wowed at the untapped defensive upside by any stretch of the imagination

 

[UKBB4Ever]

Pope could hold the ball on offense, slow the game down, make it a rock fight, like the best " defensive" coaches do in games, and then we could be at the top of defense and bottom of offense in the league.

I LOVE Pope's coaching style. The defense will get better when he has time to recruit and develop better defenders.

Right now, we just have to hope we outscore the top teams.

That will change.

That’s right. Some of these defensive numbers are because they play stall ball on offense to limit possessions.

Tubby was always called a defensive coach.

He wasn’t. He played the ball line which is nothing but a glorified zone.

Then stalled to keep the score low.

Much like UVA.

 

[billoliver40]

I suggest that the offensive/ defensive numbers are somewhat skewed because of style of play and pace. Wanting to launch 30 three pointers on the average per game keeps the game rolling. Alabama has no great defense. Hasn’t for two years now. This team doesn’t have the depth to play ‘hack’ ball or super aggressive defense. Pope has stated more than once he coaches not to foul….which is likely driving him to distraction the way the games are being called.
In all honesty if it had been the Cats that made the 9-0 run after the tie I have some doubts that we would be discussing defense much. We certainly didn’t go in depth after the Florida game.

I don’t think we are going to see leaps and bounds of defensive improvement with this team or the style they play.