Offensive woes continue on the Plains

Shanna Lockwood/AU Athletics

After getting thumped by Alabama at dwelling, Kentucky was set to go on the street to tackle a workforce and coach who at all times treats these video games just like the Tremendous Bowl. Bruce Pearl likes to beat Kentucky and has been fairly good at it when the Wildcats come to Auburn Area. After yesterday’s loss, UK is now 1-4 of their final 5 journeys to the Plains and this one was a complete lot of ugly.

The offense was disgusting for many of the afternoon and a few bizarre lineup combos appear to make it inconceivable for this workforce to attain. In the meantime, after a dominant first 20 minutes we noticed UK get sliced within the second half because of turnovers and fouls.

It’s been a really ugly season and this previous week actually did make it appear to be this whole factor might preserve going the improper method.

Offense

Kentucky scored 59 factors in 66 possessions posting an unpleasant .894 factors per journey. Even with Auburn placing on a brick fest within the first half, the Wildcats solely had 25 factors on the break because of 8-of-24 taking pictures. For the sport, the Wildcats shot 40.4% from the ground, however had simply 4 makes from three-point vary and 12 second half turnovers ruined what was set to be offensive half. Going 9-of-16 from the free throw line didn’t assist both.

Solely two gamers reached double-digits and the workforce was led by Davion Mintz with 11 factors, nevertheless it took 12 pictures to get there. It appears like they’re asking him to perform a little an excessive amount of. As soon as once more, Jacob Toppin supplied some very good minutes off the bench scoring 10 factors with 4 makes from the free throw line and three offensive rebounds. Nevertheless, the workforce’s finest offensive participant is unusually lacking at instances.

Dontaie Allen performed simply 23 minutes that noticed him rating eight factors and was a workforce excessive plus-11 within the all necessary +/- statistic. He was the one Wildcat within the plus column for the sport, however randomly went lacking for key components of the second half as John Calipari usually went to a 3 huge entrance courtroom with Brandon Boston Jr. on the two. It’s clear Allen must play extra as he’s this workforce’s finest offensive participant.

On this third recreation again, Keion Brooks Jr. scored eight factors on seven pictures with a team-high 5 offensive rebounds. He’s nonetheless looking for himself on the offensive finish, nevertheless it’s clear at this level he must be on the ground for 30-plus minutes for this workforce to have an opportunity. Subsequent to him on the 5, it was one other brutal day for Olivier Sarr. The massive had six factors in quarter-hour, however the workforce was minus-15 with him on the ground. He appears misplaced and it’s arduous to play him proper now.

At level Devin Askew, had some optimistic moments within the recreation ending with 5 factors on six pictures and a team-high three assists in 31 minutes. Nevertheless, the offense desperately wants some playmaking from the purpose guard place and Askew has simply not been capable of present that. Subsequent to him, the battle bus continues for Brandon Boston. The extremely ranked freshman scored simply 5 factors in 9 pictures with a team-high 5 turnovers in 27 minutes. It’s additionally arduous to play him for the time being.

As a workforce, turnovers actually doomed the offense. The 12 turnovers within the second half and have been the primary motive why UK went dwelling holding an L. Again-to-back unhealthy move turnovers from Brandon Boston Jr. and Devin Askew led to consecutive breakaway lay-ups for Auburn to increase the result in 10. Easy issues like this simply can not occur.

Protection

Auburn scored 66 factors in 66 possessions posting precisely one level per journey. After an unpleasant first half, the Tigers scored 45 factors within the second half posting 1.29 factors per possession with 12 factors off free throws and 17 factors from turnovers. That was the sport in an eggshell. Allen Flanigan paced the assault from the wing.

The sophomore from Little Rock, Arkansas is averaging slightly below 14 factors per recreation and got here alive within the second half for 16 factors. Flanigan was an ideal 8-of-8 from the charity stripe and produced a team-high eight rebounds. He was an enormous a part of Auburn’s explosion within the second half and Kentucky didn’t have a solution.

At level, Sharife Cooper felt like a nightmare matchup for Kentucky however the Wildcats did a reasonably good job on him. Cooper completed with simply 11 factors on 13 pictures. UK’s first half pick-and-roll protection was superb whereas Auburn appeared to make some good second half changes going much less ball screens and simply letting Cooper assault in isolation. He dished out 5 assists after the break because the offense began to catch its circulate.

The sport simply completely flipped within the second half and it actually wasn’t all the protection’s fault. The Tigers obtained 17 of their 20 factors off turnovers after the break. That mixed with the foul pictures have been an enormous motive why the house workforce secured a victory. Kentucky’s offense allowed a struggling offensive workforce to get in transition to get some simple buckets. Can not occur.

Outlook

Kentucky now sits at 4-8 this yr with a 3-2 mark in SEC play. There’s loads of NCAA Match discuss to happen, however the reality of the matter is that that is the least of this system’s points for the time being. UK is sitting at 91st in offensive effectivity with a roster filled with five-star prospects and some transfers {that a} bunch of individuals needed. Nevertheless, right here we’re with one of many worst Kentucky offenses within the fashionable period. Simply how did we get right here?

The dearth of playmaking at level guard is clear and for chunk of John Calipari’s tenure in Lexington, the Wildcats have ridden star energy on the sport’s most necessary place. They simply should not have that this season. One different staple below Cal has been a stable low submit scorer from the block. Kentucky has normally had that and the teaching workers thought they might get that from Olivier Sarr. They aren’t getting that as he’s struggling to carry place and is taking part in with zero confidence. Add within the lack of taking pictures and right here we’re.

At no level ought to this roster be in a spot the place you need to be taking part in a 3 huge lineup within the entrance courtroom. But, within the final two video games, UK has gone to it usually and it has led to some ugly offensive stretches. Add that in with the pinnacle coach not desirous to play the workforce’s most confirmed perimeter weapon and you’ve got a complete lot of points.

It feels just like the fan base has reached a tipping level in latest weeks due to the unhealthy basketball and among the stubbornness from the teaching workers to proceed to play excessive profile additions regardless of the overall lack of manufacturing. Add in some bizarre public feedback from the pinnacle basketball coach and issues aren’t nice proper now.

Numerous modifications should be made, however the first one must be the offensive philosophy. Kentucky wants to affix the trendy basketball world and use the athleticism they’ve on their roster successfully. Make the most of only one huge at a time, play with tempo and shoot extra threes. It may possibly’t be any worse than what we’re seeing on the ground proper now as a result of the grind it and submit it sytle with a reliance of longs twos simply will not be working.

It’s been ugly, however there’s nonetheless loads of ball to be performed. Some issues could be fastened however they’ll solely change if the philosophy is altered.