Watch the Tape: Arkansas Razorbacks Stun Kentucky 89-79

by:Brandon Ramsey•about 10 hours•

BRamseyKSR

watch-the-tape-arkansas-razorbacks-stun-kentucky-89-79 — Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio

This matchup has been circled on Big Blue Nation’s collective calendar since the date was set. Saturday, February 1st at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time. It was undoubtedly the most universally known date and time of any game on the Wildcats’ schedule. Lexington was buzzing all day long and Rupp Arena featured the best atmosphere of the day in college basketball. However, the return of Coach John Calipari quickly became less about cheering or booing and more about winning or losing. The Arkansas Razorbacks came in and stunned the #12 Kentucky Wildcats leaving town with an 89-79 victory.

It is fair to say that Arkansas played their best game of the season on Saturday night. Averaging just over six made three-point shots per game, the Razorbacks connected on 13-25 from deep. Playing without a point guard, Kentucky’s ball security issues showed themselves once again as well. The ‘Cats turned it over 14 times leading to 12 Arkansas’ points. This specific matchup meant a lot more to a lot of different people for a lot of different reasons. However, most importantly, it was a Quad 2B home loss for a Kentucky team that had a pretty spotless resume prior. Losing to Arkansas, at Rupp Arena, is the first true blemish of the season for the Wildcats. With injuries mounting, defensive problems looming, and a relentless Southeastern Conference schedule there is a growing nervous energy among Big Blue Nation.

As always, we’ve been hard at work in the KSR Film Room breaking down Kentucky’s latest contest. The Wildcats were on fire out of the gate, but four early three-point shots from the Razorbacks allowed them to keep pace. Arkansas would go on to make nine first half three-point shots and lead 46-45 at the break. We will discuss each and every one of those shots. Also, especially in the absence of Lamont Butler and Kerr Kriisa, half court offense really comes and goes for the ‘Cats right now. Transition buckets still came pretty easily, but it was difficult in the half court. We will showcase the dichotomy of looks Kentucky got in transition versus in the half court as well. Let’s dive on in and take a closer look at the Arkansas Razorbacks’ upset victory over Kentucky at Rupp Arena.

Arkansas’ Eight First Half Three-Point Shots

Going into this game we discussed how the game plan would be pretty similar to the one executed in Knoxville to defeat the Tennessee Volunteers. Take away a couple of high-level shooters and otherwise pack it in, let them shoot, and go rebound the misses. That game plan worked to perfection against Tennessee as the Vols shot 11-45 from deep. However, the Razorbacks went 13-25 from three-point range and it was enough to pull the upset at Rupp Arena. We will discuss all nine of those first half three-point shots and highlight what the Wildcats could have done differently.

This cannot happen. Right out of the gate the Arkansas Razorbacks went to quite possibly their favorite half court set play. Coach Calipari was running this play back at Kentucky as well. Ansley Almonor and Jaxson Robinson switched the ball screen set by #3 Thiero which makes sense. However, Otega Oweh and Robinson failed to communicate a second switch which led to a wide open three-point shot for #1 Davis. Oweh needed to get Robinson to stay out and take Davis on the pop. On the very first play the Razorbacks got a wide open look for one of their two dangerous shooting threats.

There is no good reason to not just switch the ballscreens and handoffs when #44 Ivisic is involved. However, when #21 Wagner is the one coming off you can just hop underneath and then stay tight to Ivisic. With Jaxson Robinson going underneath, Amari Williams has to be significantly tighter to Ivisic on the pop. He has no other responsibilities other than taking away the three-point shot on the pop. This is a lack of concentration, discipline, and urgency from Williams.

It is hard to get too upset about this one. You want Ansley Almonor closing out short to #3 Thiero. He is much more dangerous as a drive and entered the game shooting 7-31 (22.6%) from three-point range. Almonor was there on the catch and put a hand up to contest. Good shot by Thiero, but there is nothing you’d do differently there defensively.

Here is another one that you sort of have to live with to begin the game. #11 Knox entered the game as a 27.9% three-point shooter. That would almost always indicate that you should go under the ballscreens and handoffs. Koby Brea went under the handoff as he should, fought back to throw up a contest, but Knox knocked it in. Credit to the Arkansas Razorbacks for making the shots that Kentucky wanted to force them to take.

Where is Koby Brea going? You have to come out and meet #1 Davis as he comes down in transition. There is absolutely no reason to be trying to fight underneath this ballscreen. Poor recognition on his part.

What is the explanation for NOT switching the ballscreens and handoffs when #44 Ivisic was involved? Travis Perry should have gone under the ballscreen set for #21 Wagner, but even still Amari Williams probably wasn’t going to be tight enough. Ivisic was allowed to make four three-point shots on Saturday without ever having to dribble.

This one is very frustrating to watch. Kentucky had just fought back to tie the Arkansas Razorbacks 37-37. However, before the camera could even fully get settled on Arkansas’ end, #1 Davis was loose for a three-point shot. You cannot go up through the downscreens set for Davis. He is too dangerous from beyond the arc. Also, check out the effort from Otega Oweh. That isn’t the urgency that is required to take Davis away from three-point range.

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There would be some people who say you shouldn’t help off of the strong side corner. However, #4 Brazile had made just seven three-point shots on the season prior to Saturday. Kentucky was much more concerned about #1 Davis as a driver than they were Brazile as a shooter. Andrew Carr was maybe a step slow to recover, but he still gave a strong contest. This is another one that you just have to tip your hat to the Razorbacks.

There is absolutely nothing more you could have done about this one. If #11 Knox, a 27.9% three-point shooter, is going to make contested stepback three-point shots it just isn’t going to be your night.

Transition Offense Versus Half Court Offense

When Kentucky was clicking on all cylinders offensively early on they were living in transition. 16 of their 18 points in the first segment came after getting a stop. That trend would continue, but, unfortunately, the Wildcats simply got less stops as the game went along. Especially in the absence of Lamont Butler and Kerr Kriisa, the two primary ball handlers, it has become harder for the ‘Cats to execute offensively in the half court. It is difficult to relieve pressure without more individual playmaking ability. The difference in shot quality in transition as compared to the in the half court was pretty telling on Saturday night against the Arkansas Razorbacks.

#1 Davis missed a three-point shot, Kentucky rebounded it, and the ‘Cats were able to come down without backcourt ball pressure. Just that slight loosening of the defense made a big difference in terms of offensive execution. This is beautiful recognition and a perfect pass to catch the Arkansas Razorbacks napping a bit off of Ansley Almonor. Great pass, great shot. These are the type of looks the Wildcats were getting early on in transition.

When the Wildcats got stops good things happened for them offensively. Amari Williams starting the fast break will never not be impressive. He got the block and rebound on one end and then the assist on the other end to Jaxson Robinson for a wide open transition three-point shot. In order for Kentucky to shoot more three-point shots they will have to get more stops and increase the volume in transition.

Having Amari Williams bring the ball up the floor alleviated some of the backcourt pressure, but the Arkansas Razorbacks were still set and ready to defend in the half court. This is a look at Kentucky’s offense after a made basket during the Razorbacks’ 18-3 run that extended from the first half to the second. Arkansas was blowing up every handoff and forced the ball back out well beyond the scoring area halfway through the shot clock. Ultimately the ‘Cats turned it over on a Williams bounce pass to a cutting Jaxson Robinson.

There was a period of the second half where Kentucky’s best offense was Amari Williams going one-on-one against #44 Ivisic. It was even pretty effective for a stretch as well. However, over the course of 40 minutes, that was not really a recipe for sustained success. Again, Arkansas was able to blow up every handoff and Williams ended up taking a fadeaway hook shot. The only pass on this possession was the entry to Williams at the elbow. Not being able to penetrate and create any ball movement has become a real issue for the Wildcats in the half court.