Vicky Graff Photo
With a limited bench due to two expected starters out for the season with injuries, Kentucky coach Kenny Brooks needs his players to avoid foul trouble — something they have done well for most of the season.
That might get harder as Southeastern Conference play continues but Brooks noted that Sunday’s win at Vanderbilt turned into a “football game” because of the physical play.
Brooks says he has “smart” players who understand what to do — or not do — on defense.
“They understand the value (of staying out of foul trouble) and whatever they need to do to do that. We talked about it,” Brooks said. “I am not known as a defensive coach but we talk about how to guard and not put yourself in harm’s way.
“They listen intently and try to do everything we talk about. They understand we need them on the court. At times we need to live to play another play. They do not need to challenge (shots) if they have two fouls (in the first half). They are very smart players.”
Kentucky scored 31 points in the first quarter during the win at Vanderbilt Sunday and other than one small rally in the third quarter by Vandy had control of the game.
“Every game is a learning experience. Our kids are continuing to adjust,” Brooks said after the win Sunday. “Tonight they came out and set the tone. We are hard to guard when we are shooting the basketball the way we are now.”
Kentucky plays again Thursday at 5 p.m. at Florida hoping to go 3-0 in SEC play.
One Response
What’s really awesome about the women’s team is how young they are! Strack is a sophomore and I can’t imagine how good she is going to be even next year as a junior and especially as a senior. Key will be also be back and improved so much from her sophomore year to her junior year. Then you have Hassett who has another year of eligibility. tHen you have freshman center Silva who if Strack wasn’t on this team would start and play alot more minutes. The only position they will need to recruit at the end of the year will be at point guard but we should be fine at the position with who we have on this years roster. The women’s team is going to be very very good for the next couple of years as well. If they can pick up 1 good high school point guard and another transfer point guard who can come right in and start we have a chance to be scary good. Brooks was a home run hire the same with Mark Pope. When Mark Pope got hired and we had a empty roster nobody could have expected we would be doing this good this year! Its amazing. If Stoops could somehow at least make next year entertaining and get us to a bowl game and build off of next year Kentucky sports would all of a sudden be in a very good position. Thankfully the cal era is dead and gone. Now we need to monitor the football situation very well. I didn’t know Stoops buyout would be even at 75% after next year which tells me he will probably be here for the 2025 season and maybe the 2026 season. I think Barnhart wants Stoops to sneak out at least 6 wins next year and he will see what happens in 2026 to ultimately make his decision. So we will probably be stuck with Stoops for the next couple of years. Hold tight boys! He might have something up his short sleeves!