UK Athletics Photo
Kentucky fans have loved the 3-point shooting that coach Mark Pope has accumulated on his first UK team and the pace of play that Pope indicates the Cats will have.
However, UK players made available to the media last week made it clear not to underestimate what type of defensive team the Cats might have.
Amari Williams, a 6-10 center from Nottingham, England, was the conference defensive player of the year three straight times for Drexel. Lamont Butler, a 6-2 guard, won the same award twice at San Diego State.
“It’s important,” 6-7 forward Ansley Almonor, who can guard multiple positions, said about defense. “We’ve got to get stops. We’ve got to rebound on the defensive end. So it’s something people don’t talk about when it comes to coach Pope.”
”I think we’re going to surprise a lot of people defensively,” Andrew Carr, a 6-11 transfer from Wake Forest, said.
Kentucky was not a sound defensive team last season in coach John Calipari’s last year and did not rank in the top 100 in defensive efficiency. BYU was no worse than 70th in Pope’s five seasons.
“Otega (Oweh) is also a very well-known good defender,” Carr said. “I would say my favorite thing, which has been very cool for us, has just been that we’ve been able to really grow in our communication, I think. That’s a big part of defense, too.”
Carr can vouch for Williams’ defense based on what has happened to him.
“Amari has been awesome defensively,” Carr said. “A couple of plays, getting into the paint, I think I can throw a pump fake, even like jump forward or whatever it is and think I’m free. Next thing you know, it’s his other hand getting up there for a block or something like that,” Carr said. “He’s really been special.”
Oweh, an Oklahoma transfer, said Williams is a “smart” overall player.
“He’s a very smart player who can pass the ball. I’ve seen him make jump hooks. He’s a shot blocker. An overall good teammate,” Oweh said.
Kentucky will also be able to count on 6-11 Oklahoma State transfer Brandon Garrison, a former McDonald’s All-American and five-star prospect, at center.
“That center spot holds together the defensive unit,” Carr said.
Pope was a “sneaky” defender at UK for coach Rick Pitino who used his intelligence and intensity to frustrate more athletic opponents often.
“The way he teaches us, it’s going to be fun,” Ansley Almonor said. “I feel like we’ve got a lot of good defenders. It’s something that he emphasizes that I don’t think a lot of people realize.”
4 Responses
I think Butler, Noah, Oweh, Almonor, and Williams would be our strongest defensive unit and they could hold their own offensively as well. Perry, Brea, Jackson, Carr, and Garrison look to be our strongest offensive unit and their defense wouldn’t be that bad either. I think Kriisa will play a lot like Dillingham…instant offense, ole’ defense. I haven’t learned much about Chandler, but my guess is he will be more offense than defense. Pope has amassed a solid team that very few in the media have appreciated. Mark will have them ready to make a statement against Duke and Cooper Flagg. I think Almonor will draw that defensive assignment. I see us leaving with a solid double digit victory!
For years, it has been clear that championship contenders have certain qualities in common. Most notably, these teams play at a high adjusted net efficiency level. This net efficiency requires both a strong offensive efficiency AND a strong defensive efficiency.
It will be clear by Thanksgiving how this team will stack up on each end of the floor. I fully expect Coach Pope’s teams will be more efficient at the defensive end than any recent UK team despite the fraud’s reputation as a great defensive coach. That is narrative, not fact based.
I think you will be right about POpe’s defense Professor
Professor is right- A high net efficiency is critical for good performance in March. It is amazing to me that so many people think that scoring is all that matters in basketball. Just recruiting some defense POY winners shows us that Coach Pope understands the importance.
Enjoyed the article – Some good comments from several players. They seem to mesh together well.