Watch the Tape: LSU Tigers

In a lot of ways Wednesday night’s game was similar to Kentucky’s win over Alabama on Saturday. However, it played out in a totally different way. Both games featured big comebacks and strong second half runs by the Wildcats. Against the Crimson Tide, Kentucky was able to get the lead at the end of the first half because they just kept scoring to put themselves in a position to make a run. It took longer to complete the comeback against the LSU Tigers, and it was defense instead of offense leading the way, but it resulted in a ‘Cats win just the same.

Kentucky held LSU to just 36.8% shooting on Wednesday night at Rupp Arena. It was an all-around excellent defensive performance for 40 minutes on the way to a 71-66 victory. The Tigers got off to a great start with Xavier Pinson scoring the basketball and Darius Days knocking down a couple from beyond the arc. However, the Wildcats allowed just two points in the final five minutes of the half to keep themselves in the game. That carried over to the second half and Kentucky got going offensively to secure the win.

As you would expect after a performance like we saw on Wednesday, today’s edition of watch the tape will focus on the defensive end of the floor. Despite LSU hitting a few early three-pointers, the Wildcats were good defensively in the first half. However, they really tightened the screws in the second half of the game. We will take a look at several clips from both halves. Additionally, it is time to give Bryce Hopkins some shine. Let’s step inside the film room and take a look back at Kentucky’s win over the LSU Tigers.

Elite Second Half Defense

We are going to start at the end of the story before working our way backwards to the beginning. The Kentucky Wildcats executed on the defensive end at as high of a level as they have all season in the second half against the LSU Tigers. Kentucky got three stops in a row, commonly referred to as a “kill,” four different times in the second half. During one stretch, the ‘Cats got nine stops in the span of 11 possessions. You simply aren’t going to lose very many basketball games when you string together stops like that.

This LSU possession begins with sideline out of bounds and 20 seconds on the shot clock. Jacob Toppin and Davion Mintz switch the downscreen for #1 Pinson which neutralizes his ability to attack. Toppin then moves his feet to cut off the right hand drive and keep Pinson from getting a paint touch. Coming back the other way, Keion Brooks levels off the drive by #3 Fudge keeping him out of the paint as well. Kellan Grady, as he typically does, forces the catch out beyond the scoring area with great off-ball pressure. That leaves the ball in the hands of a sub-25% three-pointer shooter with five seconds on the shot clock. Grady does a great job of stunting at #2 Gaines and staying out there to contest in the late clock situation. All-around great defensive possession here by the ‘Cats.

#1 Pinson has been a good guard in the Southeastern Conference for several years now. Anyone who watched him at Missouri should not have been surprised by his 26-point performance against Kentucky. However, even someone as talented as him isn’t as good driving it left as he is going right. We don’t just make this stuff up in the scouting report! Mintz and Toppin switch the ballscreen which keeps the defense between him and the basket. Toppin stays on his right shoulder as Pinson drives it, Mintz aggressively helps down on the ball, and Oscar Tshiebwe is there in the way at the rim. Pinson is left with nothing to do besides throw the ball out of bounds. Kentucky did a great job of putting LSU it tough situations off the dribble in the second half.

Kentucky’s willingness to switch was a big reason why their defense was so effective against the Tigers on Wednesday night. Mintz and Bryce Hopkins switch the ballscreen to begin this clip which keeps Hopkins in front of #1 Pinson. Then, late in the shot clock, Mintz makes an aggressive decision to come double team the ball. The excellence of this play is in Kellan Grady’s decision to leave his man to come take away #0 Murray from three. Grady gets a 37.2% three-point shooter to pass it to a 24.3% three-point shooter. That is an excellent scouting report specific decision by the veteran.

How About Bryce Hopkins?

The postgame Coach Calipari quote of “how about Lance?” has become a a joke around Big Blue Nation. On Wednesday night at Rupp Arena, it was Bryce Hopkins’ turn to receive the post game praise. The freshman forward stepped up in a major way scoring 13 points on 5-6 shooting while grabbing four rebounds. It was far and away his best game as a Wildcat. Hopkins showed off the athleticism and skill that Kentucky fans have been looking for all season long in his limited minutes. He is the latest ‘Cat to step up when called upon in a big spot.

When evaluating his high school tape, these are the type of plays that were expected of Bryce Hopkins this season. He has great footwork, is always on balance, and has the overall skill to be a creator from the wings against the right matchups. In this clip, #15 Reid, LSU’s center, is no match for Hopkins on the perimeter. The little two-dribble pull can be a staple for Hopkins for as long as he sticks around in Lexington.

This is probably where Hopkins is at his best. With his size and athleticism he can be very dangerous when attacking closeouts. You can see him catch and rip drive the baseline to his left against the closeout of #4 Days. At the rim he plays off of two feet and has the strength to finish through contact for the And-1. Big time play from the freshman.

Hopkins has played in 25 of Kentucky’s 28 games but has generally played limited minutes. He is averaging just seven minutes per contest. However, on Wednesday night, he made the most of his 16 minutes effectively playing as the Wildcats sixth man against the Tigers. This pull-up jumper to his left takes incredible strength and balance. Taking that level of contact and simply continuing to move forward is a big boy move. Hopkins’ confidence should be sky high heading into the final stretch of the season.

More Great Defensive Plays

One segment of defensive clips simply wasn’t enough for today’s edition of watch the tape. This time we will take a look back at a few of the first half plays that kept Kentucky hanging around. Also, we have to highlight an incredible Oscar Tshiebwe block from early in the second half. Let’s dive on in to a few more clips.

The Wildcats have had success this season sprinkling in some full court pressure after free throws, dead balls, and coming out of timeouts. That was the case against the LSU Tigers as well. While the press didn’t turn them over, it kept them from initiating their offense until there were just 15 seconds remaining on the shot clock on this possession. Oscar Tshiebwe switched the ballscreen onto #1 Pinson and made a great block as he drove to the basket.

Kentucky’s willingness to switch paid huge dividends on the defensive end against LSU. The Tigers simply couldn’t get penetration as the ‘Cats were able to stay between the ball and the basket due to switching as much as they did. #5 Wilkinson travelled while trying to drive the ball into a tight space.

Normally, you would want Oscar Tshiebwe to just stick on #4 Days and take him away from 3. That is what the scouting report would say. However, when you can make plays like this, you get some freedom. #13 Eason isn’t thinking about passing when driving right. Knowing that, Tshiebwe decided to come from behind to make a play on the ball at the rim. This was a big time block by the National Player of the Year candidate.