Articles by Category
Recent Kentucky basketball teams have been noted for many things, but among them has been their length and quickness. Such length and quickness seems ideally suited to a stifling zone defense, suffocating opponents who won't be able to get passes or shots past those long arms. But Kentucky basketball head coach John Calipari has been a confirmed man-to-man defensive coach, and he reaffirmed that position today at Kentucky Media Day.
"I told (my team), 'Why don't I like to play zone'" Calipari explained, before providing the answer the players would have given, "Because it doesn't prepare us." Calipari told them they were correct, and that in college would be the last time they would ever play zone, so it wasn't preparing them for the future. But Calipari didn't stop there.
"Because you're not responsible for anybody (in a zone)," Cal added, as reason number two. And then Calipari hit the clincher with the players. "The third thing is, what's (a zone) going to make the other team do, play faster or slower?"
Explaining that slowing the opponent down meant Kentucky would get "less possessions, less shots," and "instead of getting 70 shots, (Kentucky) would get 58 shots" a game, Cal then finished: "Which of you in here like to give up three shots a game?" he asked, knowing the answer.
So this year's team, same as last year's team, and all the ones before. Chances of seeing Kentucky in a zone defense will range from rare to none. "So if we play zone, it's against a team that plays real fast," Calipari summarized. "If a team plays slow, you better trap and make them play faster."
KSR Twitter Feed
vBulletin Message