(Vicky Graff Photo)
Sporting News columnist Mike DeCourcy is not predicting Kentucky will win the national championship. However, he’s not saying it could not happen, either.
“They are among the teams with a chance,” said DeCourcy, who also does work for the Big Ten Network and FoxSports. “A couple of things have to happen and the first one is the least appreciated but they have to be healthy. I don’t think there is a team in college basketball this year that can afford an injury to a primary player (and still win the national title).
“With the transfer portal balancing talent out across the country, you just can’t lose a player for a long stretch any more to an injury.”
What else has to happen?
“They need to continue to grow defensively,” DeCourcy said. “The introduction of Aaron Bradshaw (after his return from a foot injury) has helped. Getting Ugonna (Onyenso) helps with having more fouls to give and lets them play more aggressively.”
DeCourcy does like UK’s offensive potential in March based on what he’s already seen.
“They have to be intelligent about the way they use their offensive components. They like to shoot from deep and that’s good but they cannot get overzealous with it. They have got to get the best shots possible whether it is a 2 at the rim or a fast break layup which I like and not just rely on the easier move to flare out and shoot a 3 on the break,” DeCourcy said.
“If they do all those things, then they are going to be one of the few teams with a legitimate chance to win the national championship.”
DeCourcy understands there will be games where shooters, no matter how good they are, will miss shots like Antonio Reeves did in last season’s NCAA Tournament loss to Kansas State.
“They had to keep Reeves in and hope he would catch fire. Now they don’t have to do that,” the Sporting News columnist said. “Now if a player has one of those days where the ball is not falling, he knows he has to do other things to help the team win. He has to get on the floor for loose balls, guard harder, pass. Guys are not just going to be hunting 3’s because of the talent the team has.
“That is a real asset for this team when if a shooter has a bad day that they don’t have to force their way through that. It is not important for a guy to force things to try and get going because of how many good offensive players they have.”
DeCourcy knows if you look at the history of teams who have won national championships and if a team is going to be excellent on offense or defense, it’s better to be better on offense.
“If you are good at one and elite at the other, you want it to be elite on offense,” DeCourcy said. “It is very rare any more that a team that is just okay on offense wins the national title. If you are not in the top 20 (in efficiency) in both you are probably not winning it but it is almost always a top 10 offensive team that wins. You can’t be bad relative to the elite teams offensively and win the title.”
DeCourcy said there have been national champions that were lacking in defensive efficiency during the season but got better by tournament time. DeCourcy knows Kentucky is not anywhere close to elite defensively now but thinks that will dramatically improve with Bradshaw and Onyenso now playing.
“They are going to get beat off the bounce at times because they are small in some positions but they are also going to be destructive on offense because they are small, quick, alert and fresh,” DeCourcy said.
18 Responses
In his dreams. This team is not playing at final four levels, and is as likely to lose in the first weekend as to advance to the Sweet 16.
Man you never have anything good to say about the cats you can’t be a real fan you should just go and stick your head in a hole somewhere
It appears you know very little about basketball. Ky.clearly has a chance, if they improve defensively, they could win a national title. You are not a professor!
The Cats are in the top 10 in the nation in every offensive category. Above average on defense with some room for improvement. They’re definitely a contender.
Sheppard on bench at critical time of game. From even to down 10. This defines Calipari’s management of this team and his mismanagement of this program.
Professor,I’m sorry but you have loss your taste of being a wildcat fan that you claim to be. Cal coach this team to a victory today against Florida.
Everyone loves Sheppard, but he’s not perfect. Missed the front end of two 1 and 1’s, and made a crazy foul at the end. You sure are going to be miserable when the Cats go to the Final Four.
No he’s not Jimmy, he had a terrible first half that shows he’s not always the answer of him to be the go guy. Mitchell save our butt in that first half and you could tell he was tired in the second half due all the work he did in that first half . Go cats!!
Professor of what? I’m critical of Cal at times but he coached his tail off in the Florida game. Did you see at the end where Sheppard passed to Wagner out of bounds so they could get the ball back to him making Florida foul him again. That was all Cal. He kept certain players (Dillingham) out after seeing they weren’t playing team ball. Remember, this is still a very young team going into a hostile environment and Florida seemed to hit just about everything they threw up in the 1st half. The team kept their poise with Cal telling them in the Mic’d up time out that Florida was playing their best ball and how long could they keep that up. He was 100% spot on. This game would have been a loss the past 3-4 seasons but they pulled out a big win.
Professor is in agreement with my assessment of Calipari as a coach
It is what it is, Cal still the coach. We went through this before remember Joe B. Hall was the coach people were complaining about him as the coach we survived with him and will survive with Cal .
Yea Cats79. If history has anything to do with it, it’ll be 2032 before UK wins another banner. With all the 2 Billion dollar talent that resides in the NBA one would think that UK Basketball would have at least 2 more banners. Remember, players first program. I really think that we’ll change somehow this season being NiL is in place. Who wouldn’t want to see a few of these guys back next season. And Reeves is 5 year guy kinda like Mitchell. I’m sure some of these guys would like staying and enjoying the college experience and cut a few nets down. How about back to back championships. If that happens I’ll shut up about how overpaid his assistants are. Earn your pay!!!
This teams biggest weakness is Cal and why we ultimately fall very short.
Cal has assembled a very flexible team, that he mixes and matches very well. No team in the NCAA has FOUR QUALITY GUARDS like the Cats have. That’s a lot of fouls to use, plus you can ALWAYS have at "least 2 PLAYING VERY WELL! With Bradshaw and Onyenso now rounding into shape, our Front Court remains "Scary". God help the rest of the NCAA once we get Big Z eligible.
Visualize Reed, Travis, Big Z along with Q & Somto. All the rest will probably be gone bc that’s their plan. Every media outlet says so.
I just wish the media would let it rest until the season is over but what fun would that be?
Summary…
1. Yes, this team could win it all
2. To accomplish #1, we must improve faster
3. Cal has to improve also
Bradshaw has to get stronger and stop playing soft. DJ has to be CONSISTENT. Mitchell is fine. Edwards has to get more minutes-he could be the key to all of this. Reeves is most experienced player in USA. Rob and Reed have keep it up…..Odeyenso needs more minutes, he appears stronger than Bradshaw and we need his boards and fouls….
Cal brings in the elite talent. He isn’t the X’s and O’s coach that Pitino is maybe but he has 801 W’s and is in the coaching hall of fame.How many wins do you guys have?
Greg Butler you and THE PROFESSOR
should both shut up, you make us all sick with your know it all BS.
What part of Indiana are you guys from, and I’m pretty sure you know every thing but who your daddy’s are😁