Photo by Clay Taylor
Texas A&M Basketball
Scouting Report: Kentucky Wildcats
Date: February 2, 2013 Place: Reed Arena, College Station, TX
Time: 5pm TV: ESPN
Overall Record: 14-6
Conference Record: 5-2
Last Five Games
Off the bench...
#15 Willie Cauley-Stein Forward 7'0 245lbs Fr.
Against a zone (which A&M will play), they like to run a guard along the baseline and flash a post to the ball side elbow. Calipari's guards like to attack the middle of the zone and get into the paint to drop it off the a post in the short corner, cutting to the basket for a dunk.
At the end of the shot clock or game clock, look for the Cats to get into a 1-4 low set. They will bring a post to set a high ball screen for the guard and will play and react from there.
Time: 5pm TV: ESPN
Overall Record: 14-6
Conference Record: 5-2
Last Five Games
Tennessee | 75-65 | W |
@Auburn | 75-53 | W |
@Alabama | 59-55 | L |
LSU | 75-70 | W |
@Ole Miss | 87-74 | W |
Probable starters...
Kentucky Athletics
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#3 Nerlens Noel Forward 6’10 228 Fr. |
vs A&M: | Pts: 15 | Rebs: 11 | Stls: 4 | Blks: 7 | A/TO: 6/0 |
- SHOT BLOCKER, Rebounder, Defensive specialist
- Improved jump hook both left and right hand
- Must Block him out, Try to get him in foul trouble, Be physical
Kentucky Athletics
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| #10 Archie Goodwin Guard 6'4 200 Fr. |
vs A&M: | Pts: 17 | Rebs: 2 | Stls: 0 | Blks: 0 | A/TO: 1/4 |
- Loves to attack the basket in transition and off ball screens
- Good Shooter, Good ball handler, Good defender
- Locate in the open court, No open shots, Block out
Kentucky Athletics
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#22 Alex Poythress Forward 6'7 240 Fr. |
vs A&M: | Pts: 12 | Rebs: 6 | Stls: 0 | Blks: 0 | A/TO: 1/0 |
- Big, Strong presence on the floor that likes contact
- Looking to score when he gets the ball in his hands, Wants to rebound
- Will turn the ball over when you make him think, Pressure him
Kentucky Athletics
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#34 Julius Mays Guard 6’2 192 GS |
vs A&M: | Pts: 7 | Rebs: 0 | Stls: 0 | Blks: 0 | A/TO: 4/0 |
- Smart guard that doesn't turn the ball over
- Will shoot when open, but likes to get his teammates involved
- Make him work for everything on offense, Don't put him on the free throw line
Kentucky Athletics
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{"Module":"photo","Alignment":"left","Size":"medium","Caption":"","MediaItemID":27645} | #12 Ryan Harrow Guard 6'2 170 So. |
vs A&M: | Pts: 14 | Rebs: 3 | Stls: 0 | Blks: 0 | A/TO: 2/5 |
- Talented guard that wants to score by attacking the paint
- Will push the ball in transition, Will knock down open shots when given the time
- Contest every shot with high hands, find in transition
Off the bench...
#15 Willie Cauley-Stein Forward 7'0 245lbs Fr.
|
- Always looking to attack the rim off guard penetration
- Good rebounder, Good shot blocker, takes up a lot of space
- Block him out, No easy dunks, Be physical and make him shoot free throws
Offensive tendencies
The Wildcats like to score in transition after forcing turnovers and blocking shots - especially after blocked shots. If they don't score on the fast break, their primary offense will come from quick shots in the half court, off ball screens and one-on-one penetration. Rarely will they let the shot clock get below 10 seconds.Against a zone (which A&M will play), they like to run a guard along the baseline and flash a post to the ball side elbow. Calipari's guards like to attack the middle of the zone and get into the paint to drop it off the a post in the short corner, cutting to the basket for a dunk.
At the end of the shot clock or game clock, look for the Cats to get into a 1-4 low set. They will bring a post to set a high ball screen for the guard and will play and react from there.
Defensive tendencies
The Wildcats have a number of long, athletic shot blockers on the team, giving their perimeter defense some freedom to gamble for steals and run through the passing lanes. Man-to-man pressure is expected throughout the game, but look for the Cats to set up a full court press with their quickness and their length giving them a huge advantage to run and jump at any time.
Not only are the bigs great shot blockers, but they are discipline - staying on the floor for multiple shot fakes - in timing their jumps. Kentucky's defense sparks their offensive tempo and they love to create turnovers so they can get out and run in the open court.
Keys to the game
- Rebounding - Can't let UK get second chance points after a good defensive possession.
- Execute the offense - Get Elston and Roberson involved early.
- Reese and Harris have to control the tempo of the game.
- Ray Turner is going to be a huge factor. Will he show up?
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