Kenny Brooks (Vicky Graff Photo)
Coach Kenny Brooks knows his team has to be ready for more aggressive physical play when it starts Southeastern Conference play after hosting Western Kentucky Saturday.
Brooks says his team has to understand that it has to pick up its intensity level every game in SEC play.
“We’re going to have to do as we start to play a little bit more aggressive basketball teams. We have to put our height and length on display, and go out there and really take advantage of it,” Brooks said. “And I don’t think that we did that quite enough, or quite early enough (against Belmont). We did it when we had to, but we need to be more aggressive early on in the game.”
All-American guard Georgia Amoore had 20 points in the second half against Belmont to help UK come from behind and win despite Belmont hitting 10 3-pointers and shooting 45 percent overall against the Cats.
“That was the biggest adjustment,” Amoore said. “Was just coming with more energy and just being more aware. They’re a difficult team to play against because you think you have one coverage down, and they have four other options out of that one action.
“So it’s one of the games for us where you can’t relax. If you blow something up, if you play action well, then they have more in their back pocket. So, I mean, it was a good team to play against for that reason because, you know, I don’t think I’ve played a team like this quite yet.”
Brooks believes the resiliency Belmont had is something Kentucky will see every game the rest of the season. That’s why Brooks knows starting with Saturday’s game against Western Kentucky that UK needs more production from players coming off the bench.
“It’s something that has been on my mind,” Brooks said after the Belmont game. “But honestly, as I look across the country, I look at it, a lot of people are playing seven or eight people.
“I watched a game where Belmont played Middle Tennessee State, and he subbed one time, and it was somebody for three minutes, and that was it. But we need the bench to step up and I’ve got to be able to trust them, and I’ve just gotta put them out there.”
One Response
Let’s go LADY CATS!! We are behind you 100%!!! U have a very solid assortment of talent and depth, and you need to bring the energy and the intensity and the physicality starting this new year for this SEC gauntlet that’s coming. Much like the men, the remainder of the schedule is about to be vastly different than what has been thus far, and both teams have gotten off to as good of starts as any of us could hope for–and both beat LOU!!! But now, the REAL season begins for both teams! And we are about to find out what each team is made of and what each coach is made of–and who is playing for the name on the front of the jersey vs who is playing for the name on the back! Personally, I think the Lady Cats have a greater level of talent on their team than the men’s team does. So I look forward to seeing how that translates into SEC competition and seeing how it stacks up with the other teams we play. With the men, I think lack of talent is one of the issues plaguing their team. Unfortunately, right now, I think they are a middle-of-the-pack SEC team in comparison to what I have seen from some of the other teams. I hope they prove me wrong. This year’s KY team reminds me alot of a typical mediocre Tubby KY team–a good team when playing well, playing together, shooting, rebounding, playing defense well, but not a great team, and not good enough or built for a run at a Final 4.
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