How has the defense changed?

[LXWildcat]

I’m glad it’s been better, but have the players just been putting more effort into trying to guard people? Also how many times did UK play zone last night?

 

[sportspm]

Zoned only one possession in the first half. It looked really good with Ugo in the middle. Resulted in a missed Auburn shot and UK rebound. Hope we will use it some in the future

 

[catlogic15]

Good question. Hopefully we’ve turned that corner. Was It defense or was Auburn unusually cold?
At LSU and home next week against Alabama will tell us where we really are.

 

[Dontworryboutit23]

The effort is a lot better, and the positioning is a lot better. There are still lapses where teams get open looks, auburn had some, but Kentucky played well defensively and has gotten better

 

[CBBCrazy]

Good question. Hopefully we’ve turned that corner. Was It defense or was Auburn unusually cold?
At LSU and home next week against Alabama will tell us where we really are.

Defense makes for poor offense, we were more aggressive and heads up on the switch off picks. More aggressive on the boards and the look of a better team. I pray they keep it up going forward.

 

[Bill - Shy Cat]

The effort is a lot better, ………

Agree. Noticed the increased effort on our first defensive opportunity. Hope it continues to improve.

 

[FFWhite]

Double O, UgO and TheirO increased roles is a turning point.

 

[ala_kat2]

Defense was better and more organized, and the intensity was there. Glad they played Zone for one series at least. But, I hope it’s not Fools’s Gold as AU missed a bunch of open looks that other teams have been blistering us on. We need to keep improving and keep the “want to” mindset.

 

[cal=8]

I’m glad it’s been better, but have the players just been putting more effort into trying to guard people? Also how many times did UK play zone last night?

The biggest change is Ugo protecting the paint.
The second biggest is rebounding.

To me, it's really that simple.

 

[Blue Bigfoot]

Love Reed, but for whatever reason he always sags way off his man, ball watches and becomes more concerned with what's going on in the paint. Which usually leaves him scrambling back to stop a kick out 3. Luckily last night, Auburn was throwing up a lot of clunkers. Noticed that Auburn also looked exhausted right after their run that closed it to within a few points. Maybe their agressive defense was wearing on them?

 

[yoshukai]

I’m glad it’s been better, but have the players just been putting more effort into trying to guard people? Also how many times did UK play zone last night?

Ugo in the paint, (goes hand in hand with us not sagging off shooters) , but to me it’s more about effort and physicality . Honestly, I didn’t think this team was capable of playing as physical as we did last night. I just didn’t think they had it in them .