Watch the Tape: Arkansas Razorbacks

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watch-the-tape-arkansas-razorbacks-5 — Photo by Dr. Michael Huang | Kentucky Sports Radio

It was another rollercoaster ride for Big Blue Nation on Saturday afternoon at Rupp Arena. Coming off a big, emotional win in Starkville on Tuesday and returning home to play an opponent near the bottom of the Southeastern Conference standings is not an easy spot. The Arkansas Razorbacks are a difficult matchup for the Wildcats as well due to their athleticism and physicality. However, Kentucky was able to to come away with a 111-102 victory.

Kentucky had built a 10-point advantage early in the second half, but saw it flip to a nine point deficit in the span of about nine minutes. However, in the final 8:42, the ‘Cats outscored the Razorbacks 34-16 to secure the win. The comeback was sparked by Rob Dillingham and Zvonimir Ivisic, but Justin Edwards made multiple big plays on both ends of the floor to seal the game. Overall, Antonio Reeves led seven scorers in double-figures with 22 points. DJ Wagner added 19 points on 4-5 shooting from beyond the arc while both Dillingham and Aaron Bradshaw contributed 15 points. Ivisic, Edwards, and Reed Sheppard rounded out those in double-figures with 12, 10, and 10 points respectively. The balance of this team, along with having different players step up on a game-to-game basis, has become their identity.

As always, we’ve been hard at work in the KSR Film Room breaking down Kentucky’s latest contest. It wasn’t always pretty, but the ‘Cats did enough to secure their fifth win in their last six chances. We will address some of the defensive concerns that have risen back to the surface while also highlighting how the Wildcats got stops when it mattered most. Then, as always, we will continue to highlight what makes this team so special offensively. There is not a team in college basketball with a more dynamic, explosive backcourt. Also, Zvonimir Ivisic remains a game-changer when he is in the game at the 5-spot. Let’s dive on in and take a closer look at Kentucky’s 111-102 victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Kentucky Allowed Arkansas to Play to Their Strengths

Preparing a game plan at the highest levels of high-major basketball is an inexact science. Often, there isn’t necessarily a “good” decision for how to guard the ballscreens or a best practice for containing a star player. However, identifying the lesser of two evils and putting yourself in the best position to succeed can go a long way. For much of the game on Saturday afternoon it did not feel like Kentucky was doing that. The Arkansas Razorbacks are a poor three-point shooting team that prefers to drive the ball relentlessly and get to the foul line. Their athleticism and physicality makes it difficult to contain them off of the dribble. For the majority of the game though the Wildcats were out guarding them 30-feet from the basket and letting them drive it in a straight line to their strong hand.

Right out of the gate Kentucky was guarding the Arkansas Razorbacks too far away from the basket. DJ Wagner was able to change the game against Auburn with his ball pressure. However, the Arkansas guards are going to be much more aggressive attack the rim. If you aren’t able to pressure them while staying in front of the basketball you need to back up. There is no reason to be guarding #3 Ellis out at the half court logo. If you play lower, then you are able to get underneath the ballscreen and not put yourself in a position to be on Ellis’ hip. Also, Ugonna Onyenso let himself get taken out of position which eliminated his rim protection.

Again, Kentucky wasn’t putting themself in a position to succeed on the defensive end of the floor. Take a look at Antonio Reeves’ feet as #3 Ellis gets down into the scoring area. He is out beyond the three-point arc and has opened his hips to essentially force Ellis to drive it in a straight line to his strong hand. In fairness, it looks like he is trying to ice the ballscreen which means Zvonimir Ivisic is the one who is out of position here. However, icing the ballscreens and giving the Razorbacks a runway to get downhill to the rim doesn’t seem like the most logical game plan.

There is no real consistency to what Kentucky does defensively. Their ballscreen coverage varies from possession to possession and what they do off of the ball is inconsistent as well. Check out Antonio Reeves and Adou Thiero on the backside of this possession. #12 Mark is attacking two defenders moving away from the basket, but neither Reeves or Thiero get to the midline in order to effectively tag on #15 Mitchell’s roll. Thiero especially should have been all of the way in there protecting the rim and taking away Mitchell on the roll.

Flashes of Defensive Execution

Even while giving up 102 points, it wasn’t all bad for Kentucky defensively. They had stretches both at the end of the first half and at the end of the game where they strung together enough stops to win. When they were able to force the Arkansas Razorbacks to take jump shots they found success. Now that we are into the month of March, there isn’t much time left for improvement. We’ve seen the Wildcats post some pretty good defensive performances, but we’ve also seen them give up a ton of points to less than stellar opponents. As usual, the truth is probably some were in the middle. Stretches of good defense, like we saw on Saturday afternoon against Arkansas, might be all this group needs in order to let their elite offense go win the game.

This is the perfect example of why switching is such an effective defensive strategy. Yes, technically Antonio Reeves on #15 Mitchell is a mismatch. However, Arkansas’ offensive strategy isn’t necessarily to throw the ball into the post to him a bunch. When you switch it leads to the offense breaking away from what they actually do best. Here you see #12 Mark try to force the ball in to attack the “mismatch” and it led to an easy steal. Kentucky should continue to be more willing to switch defensively.

Forcing the Arkansas Razorbacks to shoot jump shots is what you want defensively. This was a great possession from the ‘Cats as they started a run going into halftime. Justin Edwards did a good job corralling #3 Ellis on the wing and then Reed Sheppard stayed between #12 Mark and the basket. Great contest by Sheppard, Rob Dillingham rebounded it, and the ‘Cats were off to the races. There needed to be more of that on Saturday.

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Take a look at Rob Dillingham in this clip compared to some of the earlier possessions we showed. Notice how he is hopping underneath the ballscreen in order to stay between #3 Ellis and the basket. Then, Antonio Reeves did a great on the ball guarding #0 Battle and ultimately forced the contested runner which missed badly. Kentucky needed to back up and play inside of the three-point arc more in order to keep Arkansas from driving it.

Most Complete Offense in College Basketball

Alabama can beat you with a barrage of three-point shots. Purdue has a generational big man in Zach Edey. Illinois has big guards led by Terrence Shannon Jr. Those are the top three offenses in college basketball according to KenPom’s adjusted offensive efficiency. However, the eye test would suggest that Kentucky has the most complete offensive attack. That was certainly on display against the Arkansas Razorbacks as seven different players scored in double-figures. Balance is what makes the Wildcats so lethal offensively. In their last three games, the ‘Cats have now put up 117, 91, and 111 points.

When Kentucky is able to push the pace and play in transition they become almost unstoppable. In a game played at 86 possessions there were obviously plenty of chances to run on Saturday against the Arkansas Razorbacks. This clip showcases the fear that Antonio Reeves strikes into opposing defenses at all times. His development off of the dribble this season has allowed him to become one of the best pure scorers in the country. The Arkansas defender is working hard to take Reeves away from three, but gets himself out of position which allows the drive to the basket. Excellent recognition by Reeves to attack the closeout and then a great finish inside.

More guys that force help and more guys you can’t help off of. Kentucky has so many guys who can create off of the dribble and also spot up from beyond the arc. DJ Wagner went 4-5 from three-point range on Saturday giving the Wildcats an unexpected additional shooting threat. If he can continue to just be a serviceable threat it will open up Kentucky’s offense even more. Take a look at how aggressively Wagner’s man helped on the catch by Antonio Reeves. If Wagner can consistently knock down open three-point attempts like this it’ll become harder for defenses to help so aggressively off of him.

For much of the season Kentucky couldn’t seem to throw a lob without turning the ball over. Now, it has become an effective offensive weapon. The guards have gotten really good at throwing this alley-oop to a baseline cutter as the ball is being driven. Both Adou Thiero and Justin Edwards have been the beneficiary of this added wrinkle. This is a great play by Rob Dillingham as he attracts the attention of three Arkansas Razorbacks’ defenders on his drive.

Coach Calipari dialed up an excellent sideline out of bounds action coming out of the under four minute media timeout. Getting Rob Dillingham and Zvonimir Ivisic isolated on a side is essentially an offensive cheat code. If #15 Mitchell for Arkansas had stayed home more on Ivisic, then Dillingham would have laid it in himself. The two-man game between Dillingham and Big Z was a big part of Kentucky’s final push to win the game.