With this team I'm afraid of...

[sosoblue]

I hope Coach Pope smashes all naysayers but I must admit; I'm concerned on how well our defense will perform and will there be any focus on dribble-drive pentration for quick assists to the 4 and 5 positions. Part of my nervousness is not seeing Pope's previous coach teams (BYU and Utah Valley). He mentions his offense will shoot a lot of 3's but what about your defense, blocking shots and steals. We also need to be strong in this category.

One thing for sure is I can't wait for the season to start. Let's go BBN!

 

[Mike-D]

Team defense should at least be decent. We've got at minimal 3 elite defenders in Williams, Otega, and Butler.

 

[University-6]

The heart and soul of defense is attacking the other team's PG. With Butler we have the best defender in the nation at that category. We also have elite rim protectors. That's a strong core to start with. IMO we will be no worse than "good" on defense.

 

[JPFisher]

The heart and soul of defense is attacking the other team's PG. With Butler we have the best defender in the nation at that category. We also have elite rim protectors. That's a strong core to start with. IMO we will be no worse than "good" on defense.

In the games I've watched, Pope's teams give 100% on defense, they're just not the most athletic. I think that bodes well for this group.

 

[LukaszObrzut]

My biggest fear is having scorers/ guys who can get a tough bucket. Do we have the elite guards to do that. Do we have a consensus AA at end of year?

Will we look like Creighton? Not a bad thing but I expect it to be similar , in ways to them

 

[DreadLox]

My biggest fear is having scorers/ guys who can get a tough bucket. Do we have the elite guards to do that. Do we have a consensus AA at end of year?

Will we look like Creighton? Not a bad thing but I expect it to be similar , in ways to them

Analytics say that there's no such thing as clutch players. When you look at the numbers, people's shooting percentages don't change in moments with the game on the line. Which is good, because this team is loaded with players with great shooting percentages.

 

[LukaszObrzut]

Analytics say that there's no such thing as clutch players. When you look at the numbers, people's shooting percentages don't change in moments with the game on the line. Which is good, because this team is loaded with players with great shooting percentages.

Certainly.
Clutch players and in my eyes guys who can create or get their own shot are different. Do we have an alpha who other teams think of? Guard, forward, center it doesn’t matter.

Do we have a Knecht?
Or we like Florida with a bunch of just good players.

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

I bet they will know how to be in a defensive stance.

And I'll wager that there will be a strong emphasis on staying between your man and the basket (i.e. moving your feet).

And I bet they know how to locate their man and box them out.

If we achieve those three things on a regular basis, we'll play lights out defense compared to Cal coached teams.

 

[Eight_Banners]

I hope Coach Pope smashes all naysayers but I must admit; I'm concerned on how well our defense will perform and will there be any focus on dribble-drive pentration for quick assists to the 4 and 5 positions. Part of my nervousness is not seeing Pope's previous coach teams (BYU and Utah Valley). He mentions his offense will shoot a lot of 3's but what about your defense, blocking shots and steals. We also need to be strong in this category.

One thing for sure is I can't wait for the season to start. Let's go BBN!

BYU's Defense in 2023-24:

KenPom: 60th
SRCBB: 78th

Top Defenders' Defensive Ratings (per 100 possessions):

Fousseyni Traore - 97.5
Spencer Johnson - 100.5
Richie Saunders - 100.7
Noah Waterman - 101.2

They had four or five pretty decent defensive players last year.


UK Defense for 2024-25 (using 2023-2024 stats):

Amari Williams - 92.1
Otega Oweh - 98.4
Lamont Butler, Jr. - 100.3
Brandon Garrison - 101.2
Andrew Carr - 103.2

Those are pretty comparable numbers from BYU last season to UK this season, with Williams and Oweh being the obvious exceptions as elite defenders.

The biggest concern will be Brea (106.1), Kriisa (116 - the worst on the team), and Almonor (108.5), as well as the unknown freshmen. However, Kriisa's best defensive year was 2021-22, where he was at 101.4 per 100 poss. That's not elite, but it's no slouch either. Koby Brea's best year was also 2021-22, where he posted a defensive rating of 98.7, which is trending toward elite level.

For comparison, Reed Sheppard was 103.1, Dillingham 109.8, Reeves 112.9, Edwards 110.4, Wagner 113.6. We will be light years ahead of the Kentucky 2023-24 team.

Defense will not be a concern this year.

 

[IL Wildcat]

The heart and soul of defense is attacking the other team's PG. With Butler we have the best defender in the nation at that category. We also have elite rim protectors. That's a strong core to start with. IMO we will be no worse than "good" on defense.

Yes, this is pretty much word for word what I was about to reply. The defense always begins with the point guard. Butler is more than just a good defender, he's excellent. Whoever listened to the media day heard Pope talking about Butler. He described Butler as the best on-ball defender in the nation. Now, that may be a little bit of hyperbole, but I doubt Pope would exaggerate that much if Butler were not excellent. Amari Williams was a 3-time CAA defensive player of the year at Drexel before coming to UK. Now, it's not SEC but 3-time defensive player of the year in ANY league tells me he's an excellent defender. The aforementioned Butler was 2-time Mountain West defensive player of the year. Otegah Oweh became known as a serious defensive stopper at Oklahoma, picking up the opponent's pg full court much of the season. Aside from this, the veterans on this team help me not worry about defense as much. There are 10 players on this team who are juniors, seniors, or grad students. These guys are mature and understand what it takes to win, which translates to defense. Last season, we were one of the youngest teams in the country, and it showed. This year, we'll be one of the oldest.

 

[NociHTTP]

I hope Coach Pope smashes all naysayers but I must admit; I'm concerned on how well our defense will perform and will there be any focus on dribble-drive pentration for quick assists to the 4 and 5 positions. Part of my nervousness is not seeing Pope's previous coach teams (BYU and Utah Valley). He mentions his offense will shoot a lot of 3's but what about your defense, blocking shots and steals. We also need to be strong in this category.

One thing for sure is I can't wait for the season to start. Let's go BBN!

You can easily see Pope's teams on YouTube.

 

[RunninRichie]

My biggest fear is we have no shot-creators.

 

[Kybluedude]

Will be be an elite rebounding team? Rebounding wins particularly in tourneys.

 

[storm1507]

I go back to the mid 70's. Last year was the worst KY team defensively that I remember. There may have been a mediocre team worse that I don't remember. I don't think defense should be a major concern this year.

 

[HerrosHeroes]

My biggest fear is if we will have enough room in the trophy case for #9.

 

[megablue]

Our best defensive line-up cannot score, while our best offensive line-up cannot defend. ... and attempting to blend might mean we are only average on both ends of the floor. The key will be if our best defenders can score, I think.

 

[chroix]

I’m not scared of shit.

 

[Cold Stout Beer]

He slapped together a team on the fly with one of the best rim protectors and best on-ball defenders in the country. Sigh at some UK fans and their need to worry about everything all the time and their lack of patience.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

You can easily see Pope's teams on YouTube.

No one has time for that.

OP, I wouldn't worry. Just watch the dang games and see what happens.

 

[IbnSaran]

My biggest fear is we have no shot-creators.

I think our system will create the shots for us. I bet we might even have a coach that can design a play to get someone open when needed.

 

[blue cincy]

No reason to have a fear at this point, false dread, worry to worry about something.

We will see quickly if our best defender in Mountain West for a couple of years, best defender in his conference for 3 years, one of the best defensive guards and a Sophomore big that can block shots and guard all 5 positions (ala willie CS) will be able to defend. That is just 4 of the guys I have had time to do some research on by watching what I could find on game stuff online. Others are better than you think as well but no lock down defenders. There is a reason Pope went for defense first.

Offense, no reason to worry there as well. We will have a weakness, we might not ever truly find out that weakness (unless someone exposes it), but the thing is through adversity (being exposed) it will do one of 2 things, (like recent teams past) you know the weakness and ignore it, or you find out that weakness and you do something about it to fix it.

I think we have a extremely smart coach, that surrounded himself with smart coaches, smart players and will actually get better going into the SEC, get better going into SEC tourney, and be as good as they can be going into MARCH MADNESS NCAA TOURNEY. Does not mean they win any game, just means that will have better chances to do so.

 

[BBNinSC]

I have a hunch that Brandon Garrison will prove to be a future star and a top 15 draft pick next summer.

 

[tubbyrulz]

I am not real concerned about our defense becuase we have an elite post defender and an elite on ball defender. Having a elite defender guarding the point guard is massive in college

 

[Phil_The_Music]

My biggest fear is having scorers/ guys who can get a tough bucket. Do we have the elite guards to do that. Do we have a consensus AA at end of year?

Will we look like Creighton? Not a bad thing but I expect it to be similar , in ways to them

Cal's later teams usually had this tough bucket getter you speak of. The problem was, we had 1 or 2 of them but nobody else could score. Shut that guy(s) down or they have a bad night, we lose. This team is full of guys who can score. We can have 3 guys struggling and still have 8 more who are more than capable of making shots. I feel like the talent is more spread out and we will score lots by committee rather than with a star player. I think this is the better strategy.

 

[Skyguyb27]

I think our system will create the shots for us. I bet we might even have a coach that can design a play to get someone open when needed.

So many shooters on this team to choose from. You take whoever is hot that night and draw up a play, because Pope can, and win. This offense scheme is gonna wear teams out. Especially if several guys are hitting from the 3.

 

[Fox2monk]

I hope Coach Pope smashes all naysayers but I must admit; I'm concerned on how well our defense will perform and will there be any focus on dribble-drive pentration for quick assists to the 4 and 5 positions. Part of my nervousness is not seeing Pope's previous coach teams (BYU and Utah Valley). He mentions his offense will shoot a lot of 3's but what about your defense, blocking shots and steals. We also need to be strong in this category.

One thing for sure is I can't wait for the season to start. Let's go BBN!

Poor is from a coach who probably emphasizes hard defense as much as anyone ever so I think he will focus on that enough.

 

[un4getables]

BYU's Defense in 2023-24:

KenPom: 31st
SRCBB: 78th

Top Defenders' Defensive Ratings (per 100 possessions):

Fousseyni Traore - 97.5
Spencer Johnson - 100.5
Richie Saunders - 100.7
Noah Waterman - 101.2

They had four or five pretty decent defensive players last year.


UK Defense for 2024-25 (using 2023-2024 stats):

Amari Williams - 92.1
Otega Oweh - 98.4
Lamont Butler, Jr. - 100.3
Brandon Garrison - 101.2
Andrew Carr - 103.2

Those are pretty comparable numbers from BYU last season to UK this season, with Williams and Oweh being the obvious exceptions as elite defenders.

The biggest concern will be Brea (106.1), Kriisa (116 - the worst on the team), and Almonor (108.5), as well as the unknown freshmen. However, Kriisa's best defensive year was 2021-22, where he was at 101.4 per 100 poss. That's not elite, but it's no slouch either. Koby Brea's best year was also 2021-22, where he posted a defensive rating of 98.7, which is trending toward elite level.

For comparison, Reed Sheppard was 103.1, Dillingham 109.8, Reeves 112.9, Edwards 110.4, Wagner 113.6. We will be light years ahead of the Kentucky 2023-24 team.

Defense will not be a concern this year.

Thanks for t he research should put a lot of misguided fears to rest. ... but again probably not

 

[WallMashKyBall]

in regard to the needing a clutch player, I appreciated how pope answered that question at the media presser. he said something like, sure you need to identify who your best shooter might be, but more importantly, you trust the offensive system which is designed to get shooters open so as to make a good shot. I'm okay with his system being the clutch player.

 

[Eight_Banners]

BYU's Defense in 2023-24:

KenPom: 60th
SRCBB: 78th

Top Defenders' Defensive Ratings (per 100 possessions):

Fousseyni Traore - 97.5
Spencer Johnson - 100.5
Richie Saunders - 100.7
Noah Waterman - 101.2

They had four or five pretty decent defensive players last year.


UK Defense for 2024-25 (using 2023-2024 stats):

Amari Williams - 92.1
Otega Oweh - 98.4
Lamont Butler, Jr. - 100.3
Brandon Garrison - 101.2
Andrew Carr - 103.2

Those are pretty comparable numbers from BYU last season to UK this season, with Williams and Oweh being the obvious exceptions as elite defenders.

The biggest concern will be Brea (106.1), Kriisa (116 - the worst on the team), and Almonor (108.5), as well as the unknown freshmen. However, Kriisa's best defensive year was 2021-22, where he was at 101.4 per 100 poss. That's not elite, but it's no slouch either. Koby Brea's best year was also 2021-22, where he posted a defensive rating of 98.7, which is trending toward elite level.

For comparison, Reed Sheppard was 103.1, Dillingham 109.8, Reeves 112.9, Edwards 110.4, Wagner 113.6. We will be light years ahead of the Kentucky 2023-24 team.

Defense will not be a concern this year.

For the record, I mistakenly had KenPom for 2023-24 as 31st. That is BYU's preseasons KenPom ranking for 2024-25. I updated it with BYU's KenPom defense for 2023-24. They were 60th in DRtg., a pretty substantial difference than 31st. However, UK 2024-25 should still be a significant upgrade over BYU 23-24.

 

[jwphelps]

I hope Coach Pope smashes all naysayers but I must admit; I'm concerned on how well our defense will perform and will there be any focus on dribble-drive pentration for quick assists to the 4 and 5 positions. Part of my nervousness is not seeing Pope's previous coach teams (BYU and Utah Valley). He mentions his offense will shoot a lot of 3's but what about your defense, blocking shots and steals. We also need to be strong in this category.

One thing for sure is I can't wait for the season to start. Let's go BBN!

First after the last 5 years of Cal's crappy defense, I think this team will be a marked improvement, second again after all these years of Cal's dribble drive and everyone else stands around, I am looking forward to a real offense where the ball moves and off ball players mover. You sound like Cal, is this Cal.