Nate Oats Expects to Play the Best Version of Kentucky

The peaks and valleys of this Kentucky basketball season have exhausted the Big Blue Nation. Fresh off another valley at Baton Rouge the Wildcats face the top team in the SEC. Alabama head coach Nate Oats is expecting the Wildcats to be on their A-Game when the ball is tipped inside Rupp Arena on Saturday afternoon at 4 pm EST on CBS.

“We’ve got maybe the most talented team in the league in Kentucky. They definitely have more guys on draft boards than any other team in the league and they’ve been good,” the Alabama head coach said Friday morning.

“I do think they’re playing their best basketball. They had a little hiccup at LSU but I think we’ll get the best version of Kentucky that anybody’s seen all year.”

Improving Kentucky Defense

It wasn’t so long ago that you had to scroll down into the 100s on KenPom’s website to find where Kentucky ranked in defensive efficiency. That has improved to No. 78 over the last two weeks as the Wildcats have held the last three opponents to an average of 65.6 points per game.

“They’re a good team, talented, guard play is great. They’ve got a legitimate rim protector,” said Oats.

“They’ve got the talent to be a great defensive team and it looked like it was coming together. Even the LSU game, I didn’t think they were they were terrible, for sure. They weren’t as good as they were the two before but they’re they’re playing their best defensive basketball now of the year in my opinion.”

Even though Kentucky has made strides defensively, it may not be evident against the Crimson Tide. Alabama boasts the No. 1 ranked KenPom offense in America.

A Challenge for Alabama’s Guards

For most of the season, Kentucky has been one of the highest-scoring teams in college basketball, thanks in large part to the Wildcats’ talented guards. The top four are some of the most prolific shooters in the SEC and are already appearing on NBA Draft boards.

“Kentucky’s backcourt is one of the most talented in the country… They bring (Rob) Dillingham off the bench who right now I think is supposed to be the top-rated, as far as the mock drafts go, is the top-rated American guard, and they bring him off the bench. That tells you how talented their backcourt is. Arguably the best guard prospect in the country for the draft this next year comes off their bench and he can score it at a ridiculously high level. Shoots it, gets to the paint, and does a lot.”

Oats continued, “Reed Sheppard‘s a projected lottery pick, he’s sixth in the country in steal rate and doesn’t miss many open shots. They’re super talented.”

Some might say that’s a challenge. Oats has a different pitch for his players. Want to play in the NBA? Go beat Kentucky’s future pros.

“Our guards wanting to prove they belong at the next level got a great opportunity in this game to guard guys that are on draft boards and prove they can play defense against future pros because Kentucky has future pros on this roster.”

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