Mo Dioubate and Kentucky have to battle Florida's superior rim protection. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Can Kentucky play three games in just over 48 hours knowing how coach Mark Pope has cited fatigue as a problem when his team has played games on Saturday and then again on Tuesday?
Kentucky beat LSU to open the SEC Tournament in Nashville Wednesday and followed that with a win over Missouri on Thursday. Both times the games went to the wire with no chance for extended rest for key players.
“Our guys are pretty dialed in. They’ll be done with media in a few minutes here. We’ll get back to the hotel, and we’ll meet the same as we did yesterday. Meet and take our first shot at the whole scout as soon as we get back and eat,” Kentucky coach Mark Pope said after the 77-72 win over Missouri.
“Guys will go through treatment. They’ll spend hours, literally hours, going through treatment to get ready. Then we’ll go to battle tomorrow at the same time. It’s nice these days are so fun because you’re just on a schedule and it never changes. We hope it keeps going for a few more days.”
Kentucky played Florida on March 7 for the second time this year and lost to the defending national champion each time. Kentucky will not need an extensive scouting report because last week the Gators took Collin Chandler out of the game offensively and pounded UK inside. The first game Florida dismantled UK with open outside shooting. So whatever the Cats give Florida, the Gators can exploit.
“We know Florida well. We haven’t had the success we wanted to so far. They’re a team that you have to manage in transition first and foremost. You have to manage them on the glass. If you don’t do those two things, you don’t have a chance,” Pope said.
“Then there’s a bunch of other things on the list. There’s no secret about the way they play. Just really good at it. Really in our league, nobody’s really found an answer to that yet. We’re hoping we’ll have some success tomorrow.”
One plus for Kentucky is that it has limited turnovers in SEC tourney play, a must against the Gators who convert turnovers into points quickly.
Pope said having 18 assists and only nine turnovers in Thursday’s win over Missouri was probably the most important stat of the game.
“There were times we got a little reckless to the rim. Overall, our decision-making was better,” the UK coach said. “It’s a pretty good prep for Florida’s rim protection. Their rim protection is the top in the league. They trick you into going there and using possessions that would be best shared with a teammate. They’re really good at it. Their size is elite, physicality is elite.”
5 Responses
This is the one team I didn't want to see until at least the semifinals. I just don't think we have the front court to compete against Florida unless we play a perfect game. We've only played a couple of perfect games all season. Plus think about it. We've played back to back days Florida has been watching the whole time. If we are ever going to go on a winning streak now is the time to do it. I think Jelly was right when he said it's childish to think one man can win the game for us. He also said there are stretches on the court where he don't touch the ball for 2-3 minutes because guys start playing hero ball. In my day we called them a ball hog. We need Aberdeen, Oweh, and Chandler to all have a great game. We also need a solid game out of our bigs. We have to hit all our layups and make at least 75% of our free throws.
Three Turns in first 4 mins. We won't be able to handle their speed.
Strange game. I actually think Florida plays down to UK Very ugly game. That being said UK could've won this game but doesn't take every position seriously. Way way too many hero ball possessions.. Aberdeen going 1 on 3 or 4 defenders . Oweh same thing .. These guys are so freaking selfish its horrendous basketball. 2 on 1 fastbreak Oweh and Chandler , Oweh couldn't even give up the ball to Chandler .. Wasted possessions early on bit them in the arse.
Not sure UK really had a shot at winning this game. If UF hit their normal shot %'s and normal rebounds, they would have won by 20-25 easily. When you can't make shots or stop shots inside you don't have much of a chance. When 3 of your starters only make 4 shots total you don't have much of a chance. UF has quality Bigs and we haven't for a few years. Pretty sad when opposing coach shouts from the rafters that UK never led for any minute in 3 defeats be. We really didn't deserve to be on same floor. It was a noble attempt after 2 straight previous games, but it showed how big a difference there now is with UF owning UK like they have.
I feel like Florida played so poorly they left the door open a little but UK plays so damn selfish they just can't get over the hump.