Kentucky basketball has seen a majority of their success under head coach John Calipari when playing top-level defense. The Wildcats captured their eighth national title in 2012 and boasted one of the better defenses college basketball has seen this century.
It remains to be seen if this year’s team will be able to play at that level on defense and cut down the nets in April. However, Kentucky got off to a rocking start with their first scrimmage against Missouri Western State on Sunday night.
The Wildcats held the Griffons to just 38 points on 30% shooting from the floor (13% from three-point range). Kentucky blocked 11 shots and recorded seven steals in a suffocating effort for all 40 minutes of action.
Calipari’s team is talented enough to compete in high-scoring games, but playing intense defense will lead to easy baskets in transition and looks to be their best style of basketball. The Wildcats have one more exhibition game (this Thursday vs. Kentucky State) before their regular season begins next Monday vs. Howard.
UK – MWS
Photos by Vicky Graff
