Hey guys,
Just wanted to drop my notes for tomorrow's podcast previewing UK vs Florida. Curious as to what y'alls thoughts are on the game.
Florida's Offense:
70.7 PPG (11th in the SEC)
12.8 Assists Per Game (11th in the SEC)
42.9% Field Goal Shooting (12th in the SEC)
73.7% Free Throw Shooting (5th in the SEC)
31.6% Three Point Shooting (12th in the SEC)
36.8 Rebounds Per Game (14th in the SEC)
The three ball was incredibly ineffective (5-22) against UK. Florida is probably going to rely on it a little more at home than they did at Rupp, if I were to guess.
Key Contributors
Colin Castleton (15.4 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 1.7 APG 2.8 BPG) (18 pts, 7 reb, 8-12 shooting vs UK)
Florida's Defense:
FILM NOTE: From what I could tell, Florida likes 2-1-2 and 2-2-1 matchup zone. I could be blind (or dumb), and the Gators may run something completely different, but that's what I see.
2-2-1 Zone defense (which, is in fact a real thing that I didn't know about) is a great defense to run against a 4 out or 5 out Basketball offense. This zone defense will have 2 players up top of the key, 2 in the middle watching the wings and 1 in the post.
Match-up zone is a combination defense, combining elements of man-to-man defense (on ball), and zone defense (away from the ball). It's a zone defense that acts a lot like a good man-to-man defense. The on-ball defender closes-out and plays tight like in man-to-man. The zone away from the ball resembles man-to-man "helpside" defense.
65.4 Points Allowed Per Game (68.8 in SEC Play)
7th in the SEC in defensive efficiency
5th in the SEC in steals %
2nd in the SEC in block %
6th in the SEC turnover %
The defense has really struggled down the stretch. The only way Florida keeps this one competitive is if Kentucky makes mistakes on their own. Avoid turnovers, capitalize on breakdowns.
Florida has a tendency to fall asleep at the rim. Kentucky should take advantage of that
Final Thoughts
Will Kentucky crash the glass again? (41-25, 17 OREB for UK last game vs Florida)
Can Tshiebwe defend the post better? (27 pts, 19 reb, 3 stl last game vs Florida) but Castleton had 18 and 7 of his own.
The pace needs to be quicker. The last matchup vs Florida was Kentucky's slowest game of the season.
Points off turnovers (17 for UK last time) needs to be important again.
Can Kentucky:
1. Shoot the ball well (46.7% FG, 37.0% 3PT last time)
- If Florida is going to give Kentucky the three (UK was 10-27 from deep last time) then Grady, Mintz, and Washington need to capitalize.
2. Have decent shot selection
- Nothing is stopping this team from taking decent shots.
3. Play well in transition (BOTH offensively and defensively)
- Only 8 fast break points for Kentucky last time. Making Florida uncomfortable and pushing the tempo a little more this time around should help.
4. Protect the rim
- 0 blocks last time for UK. Blocks aren't needed to protect the rim, but still, UK needs to not let Florida get easy looks underneath. Make them take an outside shot that they don't make very often.
Final score prediction: Kentucky 79, Florida 71
Just wanted to drop my notes for tomorrow's podcast previewing UK vs Florida. Curious as to what y'alls thoughts are on the game.
Florida's Offense:
70.7 PPG (11th in the SEC)
- Their pace of play is slow (301st nationally in adj. tempo, last in the SEC)
- They put a lot of shots up (56.0 FGA per game is 11th in the SEC)
- They take a lot of threes (26 per game, 2nd in the SEC)
- Stylistically, Mike White used to run a variation of the Princeton offense, and now this season Florida has run more 4-out-1-in and 5-out offense. We saw 5-out with Alabama., where the offense spaces the court and likely shoots a lot of threes. '5-Out' means all five of your players are starting out on the perimeter. In this offense, there are five spots that must always be filled. The only exception to a spot not being filled is if a player is performing an action such as screening or cutting.
- Florida set up 4-out-1-in vs UK and worked Castleton into the post. I think we’re going to see Florida immediately work in 4 out 1 in or 3 out 2 in if Kentucky switches to zone, which they won't do because Cal never switches out of man-to-man.
- Containing Castleton will be huge. He’s third on the team in APG and you’ll see kickouts in this game. Tsheibwe (and the entire front court) need to do a better job of slowing him down.
12.8 Assists Per Game (11th in the SEC)
42.9% Field Goal Shooting (12th in the SEC)
73.7% Free Throw Shooting (5th in the SEC)
31.6% Three Point Shooting (12th in the SEC)
36.8 Rebounds Per Game (14th in the SEC)
The three ball was incredibly ineffective (5-22) against UK. Florida is probably going to rely on it a little more at home than they did at Rupp, if I were to guess.
Key Contributors
Colin Castleton (15.4 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 1.7 APG 2.8 BPG) (18 pts, 7 reb, 8-12 shooting vs UK)
- High IQ post player, has great moves, also averages 2.6 TOPG (Had 4 turnovers vs UK)
- Good distributor, also has range. Playmaker
- Scored 16 and 27 in last two outings, made GW shot vs Vandy
Florida's Defense:
FILM NOTE: From what I could tell, Florida likes 2-1-2 and 2-2-1 matchup zone. I could be blind (or dumb), and the Gators may run something completely different, but that's what I see.
2-2-1 Zone defense (which, is in fact a real thing that I didn't know about) is a great defense to run against a 4 out or 5 out Basketball offense. This zone defense will have 2 players up top of the key, 2 in the middle watching the wings and 1 in the post.
Match-up zone is a combination defense, combining elements of man-to-man defense (on ball), and zone defense (away from the ball). It's a zone defense that acts a lot like a good man-to-man defense. The on-ball defender closes-out and plays tight like in man-to-man. The zone away from the ball resembles man-to-man "helpside" defense.
65.4 Points Allowed Per Game (68.8 in SEC Play)
7th in the SEC in defensive efficiency
5th in the SEC in steals %
2nd in the SEC in block %
6th in the SEC turnover %
The defense has really struggled down the stretch. The only way Florida keeps this one competitive is if Kentucky makes mistakes on their own. Avoid turnovers, capitalize on breakdowns.
Florida has a tendency to fall asleep at the rim. Kentucky should take advantage of that
Final Thoughts
Will Kentucky crash the glass again? (41-25, 17 OREB for UK last game vs Florida)
Can Tshiebwe defend the post better? (27 pts, 19 reb, 3 stl last game vs Florida) but Castleton had 18 and 7 of his own.
The pace needs to be quicker. The last matchup vs Florida was Kentucky's slowest game of the season.
Points off turnovers (17 for UK last time) needs to be important again.
Can Kentucky:
1. Shoot the ball well (46.7% FG, 37.0% 3PT last time)
- If Florida is going to give Kentucky the three (UK was 10-27 from deep last time) then Grady, Mintz, and Washington need to capitalize.
2. Have decent shot selection
- Nothing is stopping this team from taking decent shots.
3. Play well in transition (BOTH offensively and defensively)
- Only 8 fast break points for Kentucky last time. Making Florida uncomfortable and pushing the tempo a little more this time around should help.
4. Protect the rim
- 0 blocks last time for UK. Blocks aren't needed to protect the rim, but still, UK needs to not let Florida get easy looks underneath. Make them take an outside shot that they don't make very often.
Final score prediction: Kentucky 79, Florida 71
