Men's Basketball

KY Insider Preview: Sweet Sixteen Edition

Published

5 years ago

March 28, 2019

Tristan Pharis

Kentucky will take on Houston on Friday, in a battle of the logos.

The Cougars are enjoying their best season since the 1980’s and the “Phi Slamma Jamma” days. This Houston team is much different than the one that featured two Hall of Famers, Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olujuwan.

Instead this Houston team is undersized, gritty, and tough and will make their opponents fight for everything. Houston takes pride in their defense, as they rank No. 12 in defensive efficiency and is No. 1 in the country in opponent field goal percentage. Houston is a good team, but they have one big knock. The Cougars only have 1 win over a KenPom top-25 team, that win coming back in December against LSU at Houston.

This will be a gritty, tough it out type of game, let’s look at Kentucky needs to do give themselves the best chance to win.

PJ Washington

The Big Blue Nation got a well needed shot of good news when PJ Washington tweeted this video on Wednesday.

pic.twitter.com/rS84K17G97— PJ Washington (@PJWashington) March 27, 2019

To me, when Calipiari retweeted PJ with an “uh oh”, it confirmed that PJ will return against Houston. It doesn’t make any sense to set the team and the fans up for something that’s not going to happen.

In today’s press conference PJ told reporters, “It’s good, I feel good. It’s about going out there and seeing if I can do stuff on the court”. PJ participated in today’s practice, and while the media was sent to the back during the Wildcat’s contact drills, they were able to catch this video.

PJ Washington warming up with the team for practice. Told reporters this will be the first time he tests the pain in his foot ahead of tomorrow’s game. If it feels good, he “definitely” wants to play. pic.twitter.com/zARGD6ljiv— Tyler Thompson (@MrsTylerKSR) March 28, 2019

Calipari went on to tell reporters that doctors told PJ that he can’t further injure himself by playing. Cal said, “If that were the case. I wouldn’t let him play”.

While there are still some question marks, I would be shocked if PJ didn’t play on Friday.

Efficient Offense and Good Shot Selection

Against Wofford, Kentucky simply failed to execute well on offense for a majority of the game. Kentucky will be facing a much stingier Houston defense Friday night.

Kentucky is Top 25 in offensive efficiency and field goal percentage, and the Cats will need to display that. If PJ is on the floor this is a much easier task as he is able to space the floor and provide scoring that Kentucky didn’t have the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament.

Tyler Herro will have a tough defensive assignment against Houston’s Corey Davis, the Cougar’s leading scorer. Unless he can match that defensive effort and hold Davis to single digits, Kentucky can’t afford for Herro to shoot 2-11 again. There were too many times against Wofford that Kentucky just settled. While Cal will want to take advantage of Kentucky’s size advantage, Kentucky’s guard will need to produce more offense.

Guard Play

I am a firm believer in that this game will be decided by the guard play.

Houston has one of the best backcourts in the country with Corey Davis and Armoni Brooks. Davis and Brooks combine for an average of 30 points and both have made over 100 three pointers with over 38% 3P.

So far in the tournament Davis has averaged 23.5 points, 40.5% FG, 39% 3P. While Davis isn’t shooting a great percentage from the field, most of his attempts are from three and he made seven

It’s not just Davis and Brooks, one of Houston’s biggest strengths is their depth, especially on the perimeter. Houston’s guards account for 75% of their points, meaning Kentucky’s guards will have to stay in front because of their quickness and stay home because of their shooting ability.

On the other hand, Kentucky’s guards haven’t played their best basketball in the NCAA tournament and they will need to step up.

One bright spot has been Ashton Hagans. Hagans biggest knock has been his turnover rate, which has improved in NCAA Tournament play averaging only 1.5 turnovers in addition to 8 points, 4 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1 steal. Not to mention, Jemarl Baker, who will likely see some more playing time and provide some shooting and defense.

If the Wildcat guards can outplay the Houston guards, Kentucky’s chances to win look a lot better.

Rebounding

John Calipari’s Kentucky teams have always been strong on the boards, and this year is no different. Kentucky is ranked 35th in both offensive and defensive rebounds per game.

It’s not often that Kentucky faces a team just as good on the boards, but they will again on Friday.

Houston ranks top 20 in both offensive and defensive rebounds per game and are as tough and gritty as any team Kentucky has played this season. However, they aren’t as good as keeping their opponents off the board ranking over 200th in the country in all rebounding categories.

If Houston’s defense is able to limit Kentucky on offense, the Cats will need to crash the boards with a purpose and give themselves extra opportunities. With the size advantage, the Cats have no excuse not to capitalize.

Prediction

While the Cougars don’t shoot great from outside, they shoot A LOT from outside. If the Cats don’t show up ready to play or the Cougars are lighting it up from outside, Kentucky could be in trouble.

However, Kentucky will have a substantial size advantage at every position, and will need to use that to their advantage on both ends of the floor. With PJ back in the lineup, I expect for Kentucky to have a much better offensive night. At this point in the season, the Cats are simply more battle tested than Houston.

According to Houston’s Breaon Brady, Kentucky is “just another team. Everybody is hyping Kentucky, and we love that”. I anticipate the Cats to respond on the court and show that they are more than just “another team”.

Kentucky: 76

Houston:69

BB Recruiting

Kentucky to Host Multiple Top Transfers This Weekend

Published

21 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Tristan Pharis

Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats are hosting multiple top transfers this weekend for visits, looking to add to their roster.

With the deadline for players to enter the portal coming up on May 1st, Kentucky nearly has all their options on the table. Now two weeks since taking the job, Mark Pope has expressed interest in nearly two dozen names and has been keying in on some top names in the portal.

As of writing this article, top 25 transfer Otega Oweh (Oklahoma), is currently on a visit to Lexington, with three more players set to visit this weekend. There’s a good chance that some of those visits turn into commitments.

Let’s take a look at those names.

Deivon Smith – Guard, Utah

Physicals: 6’0, 173 lbs
Stats: 13.3 PPG, 7.1 APG, 6.3 RPG, 46.% FG, 40.8% 3P
Ranking: 10th (Evan Miya), 38rd (247Sports)

Kentucky has had just three players record a triple-double in program history. Deivon Smith recorded five triple-doubles this past season alone, the second-most all-time for a single season in NCAA history.

While undersized, he is one of the best all-around guards in the country, as his numbers show. It’s still early, but Kentucky getting the first visit is significant. St. John’s and Texas Tech have also been mentioned here.

Andrej Stojaković – Guard, Stanford

Physicals: 6’7, 190 lbs
Stats: 7.8 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 40.9% FG, 32.7% 3P
Ranking: 183rd (Evan Miya), 51st (247Sports)

Stojakovic is the son of former NBA All-Star, Peja Stojakovic. A familiar name for Kentucky fans from his high school recruitment. Stojakovic is a terrific shooter, and a top-25 recruit in the 2023 class.

On Thursday, Stojakovic cut his list to just three schools: California, UNC, and Kentucky. As a West Coast product, California was a school that showed interest when he was in high school, and so did Mark Pope when he was at BYU. Pope has made Stojakovic a priority, he could seal the deal this weekend.

Aidan Mahaney – Guard, Saint Mary’s

Physicals: 6-3, 180 lbs
Stats: 13.9 PPG, 2.6 APG, 38.6% FG, 35.5% 3P
Ranking: 96th (Evan Miya), 14th (247Sports)

One of the best guards in the portal. As a lead guard for Saint Mary’s, he displayed a good sense of playing under control, setting himself up and others. That said, his numbers were rather inefficient as the primary scoring option for the Gaels and shooting more than half of his shots from three. There are concerns about his playing against bigger guards.

Mahaney visited UConn Thursday and it looks to be a race between Creighton, Virginia, UConn, and Kentucky.

Andrew Carr – Forward, Wake Forest

Physicals: 6-11, 230 lbs
Stats: 13.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 52.6% FG, 37.1% 3P
Ranking: 33rd (Evan Miya), Not Listed (247Sports)

A near 7-footer who is efficient and can stretch the floor, shooting over 37 percent from three, is a player that Mark Pope would love to add to his roster. That describes Andrew Carr who has played two years at each Delaware and Wake Forest and is looking to go elsewhere for his last season of eligibility.

Carr is coming off a visit to Texas Tech and will visit Villanova after he visits Lexington this weekend.

Men's Basketball

Kentucky Basketball Hiring Top Assistant Coach Alvin Brooks III from Baylor

Published

2 days ago

April 24, 2024

Tristan Pharis

Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Kentucky may not have been able to pull Scott Drew away from Baylor, but they were able to pull Alvin Brooks III, one of the best assistant coaches in the country. First reported by CBS Sports on Wednesday morning, Brooks has accepted an associate head coach position at Kentucky, the same role in which he had at Baylor.

NEWS: Top Baylor assistant Alvin Brooks III is leaving the Bears to join Mark Pope's staff at Kentucky, sources tell @CBSSports. He spent the past eight years under Scott Drew and will be associate HC @ UK. Brooks is highly respected in the profession. It's a major coup for Pope.— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) April 24, 2024

Brooks comes to Kentucky with a great reputation as a recruiter, helping Baylor bring in some elite talent over the last couple of seasons, most notably, McDonald’s All-Americans VJ Edgecombe (2024), Ja’Kobe Walter (2023), and Keyonte George (2022).

Just 44 years old, Brooks has two decades of coaching experience. Before his time at Baylor he also had stops at Kansas State (2012-16), Sam Houston State (2010-12), Bradley (2007-10), Midland (2006-07), and Arkansas-Fort Smith (2004-06).

Brooks spoke with Kentucky Insider earlier this month about Kentucky’s hire of Mark Pope, as someone who competed against him at BYU. He spoke highly of the hire, specifically of his Xs and Os, and saw “no negatives”.

Interestingly, he will not be the first Alvin Brooks to be a part of the Kentucky Basketball program as his father was the Director of Operations from 2007-09 under Billy Gillispie. Brooks joins an assembled staff of Cody Fueger, Jason Hart, and Mark Fox, leaving just one assistant spot remaining which likely won’t come soon.

That said, the concern with Pope was his recruiting ability. With Hart and now Brooks, he has addressed that concern and has added two of the best recruiters in the country.

BB Recruiting

Transfer Amari Williams Commits to Kentucky

Published

5 days ago

April 21, 2024

Tristan Pharis

Drexel transfer Amari Williams has committed to play for the Kentucky Wildcats. Becomes first transfer commitment under Mark Pope.

Graphic via ClutchPoints

Amari Williams has made his decision. He has committed to the Wildcats, first reported by Joe Tipton of On3.

Williams’ decision comes after visiting Lexington this past weekend. On all accounts and given his commitment, all things went well, even taking a visit to Keeneland with new head coach Mark Pope.

Originally from Nottingham, England, Williams has played the last four years at Drexel. He has career averages of 10.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks.

From his sophomore season forward, Williams has been named to the All-Coastal Athletic Association Team three times and has won three straight CAA Defensive Player of the Year Awards.

The 6-foot-10, 265-pound forward is a physical big. On the offensive end, he scores most of his points at the rim, many of which come in transition or off offensive rebounds, but he is also comfortable extending to the elbow. He is a better passer than one would expect as well, with an 18% assist rate.

As his Defensive Player of the Year awards suggest, Williams makes his biggest impact on the defensive side of the ball. With a 7-foot-5 wingspan, he blocks plenty of shots (8.5% block rate) and alters many more. His physical size and length help him rebound the ball well.

Both were areas Kentucky lacked in last season.

If you’re an analytical guy, Williams has been a top-20 player in player efficiency ratings the previous two seasons, with a 28.5 PER each season.

For reference, Kentucky’s most efficient players last season, Reed Sheppard and Antonio Reeves, both had a PER of 23.6.

Evan Miya, one of the best analytics gurus in college hoops, has Williams ranked 14th overall in DBPR for next season, which measures the defensive value a player brings to his team when he is on the court. So Kentucky just landed one of the best defensive transfers in America.

With his commitment, Williams becomes Kentucky’s first transfer under Mark Pope and just the second commitment overall, joining Collin Chandler, a 4-star recruit of the 2022 class returning from a mission trip this summer.

It’s worth noting that he played alongside fellow Kentucky target and Utah State transfer Great Osobor in England. Could the two join forces in Lexington as Kentucky’s frontcourt?

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