Kentucky Basketball's Need for Change: A Closer Look
Kentucky basketball fans, it's time to face the music: the Wildcats' struggles go beyond questionable referee calls. Sure, the Collin Chandler foul was a tough pill to swallow, but the game should never have been close enough for it to matter.
Kentucky's second-half performance against Auburn was lackluster, to say the least, with the team managing only 35 points and shooting a mere 11-30. Auburn practically handed them opportunities, but Kentucky couldn't capitalize.
Assists and Turnovers: A Balancing Act
The Wildcats' assist-to-turnover ratio is a glaring issue holding the team back. In their matchup against Georgia, Kentucky recorded 13 turnovers and 13 assists, leading to a loss against a team that had dropped five of its last six games. The story was similar against Auburn, with 14 assists matched by 14 turnovers.
Unless you have an elite iso-scorer like Kyrie Irving or Carmelo Anthony, maintaining a 1:1 assist-to-turnover ratio is a recipe for disaster against quality opponents. Otega Oweh is a solid downhill driver but often racks up a couple of turnovers and questionable shots.
Meanwhile, Denzel Aberdeen is a volume shooter without much of a threat at the rim. The rest of the squad relies heavily on others to create opportunities, but the shot creators are often too focused on their own plays.
For Kentucky to turn things around, they must prioritize ball security and effective passing. Without these changes, an 18-13 record looms, making Selection Sunday a nail-biter.
Potential Solutions for Kentucky's Offense
Every Wildcats fan and coach is pondering the same question: how can Kentucky fix this? When you have a coach whose offense thrives on ball movement but a team built around isolation plays, adjustments are necessary.
With three key players sidelined due to injuries, Kentucky might need to shake things up. One potential solution is to give Mo Dioubate more time at the 5, backing up Malachi Moreno, and increasing Trent Noah's minutes. While Noah's defense and shooting have been inconsistent, his ability to move the ball is unmatched on this roster.
A proposed lineup could look like this:
- Denzel Aberdeen
- Collin Chandler
- Otega Oweh
- Trent Noah
- Malachi Moreno
Bringing in Jasper Johnson and Mo Dioubate at the 1 and 5, with Jelavic subbing for Chandler, could maintain floor spacing and keep the offense in rhythm. Oweh would remain on the floor but rotate out for Aberdeen in the next sub cycle. This setup could open lanes for Oweh and Aberdeen, allowing them to play to their strengths.
Of course, this is just one of many options. Whatever the solution, Kentucky needs to act quickly.
The season is nearing its end, and the Wildcats are set to face South Carolina on Tuesday. It's time to make a change before it's too late.