Defense?

Jul 30, 2024
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People can just call it from what it really is

this is a sub par three point shooting team but a team that’s top 30 in making their 2s and if we just make that more of a primary option then we are just fine. Combine that with taking care of the ball and offensive rebounding which we have done well and we are more than fine.
I don’t even agree we are a subpar 3 point shooting team. Certainly, we have been…however, our averages will end up at least average or above average. Doesn’t mean we will be elite, but we have too many guys shooting below their expected value and that will rise. Quote me on it at the end of the season if I’m wrong.

We are 114/338 for the year from deep. That’s 33.7% which has us tied for 172nd out of 365 teams and I’d argue we figure to increase from here.
 
Last edited:
May 27, 2007
31,128
23,945
113
Offensive numbers are skewed a bit with bad teams and Kam shooting well today. But I will take it, but PLEASE POPE PLEASE teach them how to move on Defense with thier feet. It is embarrasing watching them get blown by only to reach or bump to make up for it.
The raw numbers from today maybe but the adjusted offensive efficiency numbers are what they are They factor SOS.
 
May 27, 2007
31,128
23,945
113
I don’t even agree we are a subpar 3 point shooting team. Certainly, we have been…however, our averages will end up at least average or above average. Doesn’t mean we will be elite, but we have too many guys shooting below their expected value and that will rise. Quote me on it at the end of the season if I’m wrong.

We are 114/338 for the year from deep. That’s 33.7% and I’d argue we figure to increase from here.
I agree

tbh I think we shoot better second half. Not worse.
Lowe playing more mins will allow players to get more open looks. And JQ is a huge plus with rebounding on both ends
 
Dec 12, 2023
760
843
93
If I look at this correctly it seems like it was mostly UL, Ohio St and UCLA. Not awful teams.
I looked each up last season after the Ohio St loss and posted on here but those posts appear to be lost. There were some clunkers in the list of losses. I'll look it up again later if I get time. It was pretty surprising. That's why I posted it.
 

Seth_C

All-American
Mar 12, 2017
4,107
7,315
96
I hope some of you get meds this Christmas, or at least a new team to cheer or troll. Pathetic behavior. What the one poster said was true - everyone has seen this type of play before Christmas before. Saving Lowe for SEC is good.
I use threads like this one to improve my ignore list. Some of our fans are insufferable.
 

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
42,790
75,979
113
Pope played way more players way more clock. Not a bad idea, he had been narrowing the rotation some which was the top D guys. Glad to see JJ and Williams with good games, confidence booster they needed before SEC play. If both them can tap into their potential it will change our teams trajectory.
It will and it’s good but that performance sucked and his ridiculous substitution patterns kill our teams.
 
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storm1507

All-American
Sep 24, 2022
1,551
6,890
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This should be a sticky!
 

megablue

Heisman
Oct 2, 2012
14,242
14,078
113
What happened to the great defense from the last 2 games? Bellarmine getting to the basket with ease and getting fouled. I read they were ranked 264. Who knows how this would have ended if it wasn’t for William’s shooting. Didn’t expect to see this headed into the break.
Legitimate point for concern.
 
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preston-lemasterpiece

All-Conference
Apr 15, 2025
1,057
1,928
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LMAO they get 82 games a season vs other top paid professionals……….not bellarmine. And if you’re ok giving up 85 points to that team, enjoy “cowboy”.
You don't have to be ok with it but it's just acknowledging reality. Defense is largely effort-based. You are NEVER going to see the same effort vs Bellarmine as you would vs St Johns or Alabama, especially if the game is on December 23rd. None of us like it but it it what it is.
 

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
42,790
75,979
113
Sure it was. Two weeks from now no one will remember this game. Two seasons from now, no one will remember this game. No injuries, Win. That is all to take away. Unless one is looking for something to be upset about.
I don’t care if we don’t remember it tomorrow. That doesn’t excuse the continued lack of effort this team has shown all year. You all make so many excuses for this team it’s ridiculous.
 

Kingslayer07

Heisman
Jan 23, 2020
8,350
10,130
113
Been a fan for 40 years. I have seen so many games with various UK coaches where the effort seems poor after a big game against an inferior opponent right before Christmas break. Literally nothing to see here.
Good for you man. Still 0 excuse.
 

davtay

Senior
Dec 31, 2002
944
612
93
I don’t care if we don’t remember it tomorrow. That doesn’t excuse the continued lack of effort this team has shown all year. You all make so many excuses for this team it’s ridiculous.
I'm not making excuses. Exactly like I said. Nothing to be taken away from this game other than a win. Unless you have an agenda.
 

wildcat111

All-Conference
Dec 9, 2020
1,405
1,621
113
Our offensive efficiency went from 37th to 27th
Conversely the defensive efficiency went from 15th to 25th.

But hey IMO better to be as balanced as possible.
Defense was pathetic....and just when the last 2 game it looked like we were going to play aggressive defense to compensate for poor shooting. WTF happened?
 
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kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
48,886
67,780
113
The issue is, the guys on this team don't have a killer instinct. They wait until they get punched in the mouth before they decide to fight and when the team doing the punching is Bellarmine, they just don't feel like taking their inner emotions to that level.

But this is a trait of Pope's teams. We saw it up close last year. Play a great game (Florida, duke, Gonzaga, Illinois) then put a complete stinker out there (Ohio State, Arkansas, Auburn, Bama 3 times, then finally, UT). I honestly think that is a byproduct of Pope's goofy demeaner. His schtick doesn’t light a fire in the belly of guys at this level, especially ones that are arriving to the arena in Bentley's.
 
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TTTblue24

All-Conference
Feb 1, 2004
3,612
2,025
113
Over react much. Good Lord. Some of you on here. Just wow.
If you’re enthusiastic about giving up 85 to Bellarmine then no whining when we go to bama…….good lord some people on here thin they’re the “rafter” police.
 

TTTblue24

All-Conference
Feb 1, 2004
3,612
2,025
113
We won by 14 resting players and expanding the rotation. Go get a tissue and have a good cry
Can’t come up with anything basketball wise other than resting 14 players…….great insight btw……so you must go trying to insult others…….says alot about your character and type of little man you are and snowflake at that.
 

UKCowboys

All-Conference
Oct 14, 2019
1,297
2,202
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Can’t come up with anything basketball wise other than resting 14 players…….great insight btw……so you must go trying to insult others…….says alot about your character and type of little man you are and snowflake at that.
Beat your keyboard sweetie...
 

UKBB4Ever

All-Conference
Jul 3, 2025
1,007
1,596
93
What we are witnessing is just poor coaching. These guys are athletic enough to play defense and they do play decent defense when engaged and playing hard. There's not been much of that this season.

There is no defensive scheme. There's no help defense or rotations. The guys aren't talking to each other. Even when they make the effort on defense they don't know what they are doing.

It was the same last season. Guys come here with a reputation as a defender but can't play defense is whatever system Pope is pretending to run.
 

preston-lemasterpiece

All-Conference
Apr 15, 2025
1,057
1,928
111
What we are witnessing is just poor coaching. These guys are athletic enough to play defense and they do play decent defense when engaged and playing hard. There's not been much of that this season.

There is no defensive scheme. There's no help defense or rotations. The guys aren't talking to each other. Even when they make the effort on defense they don't know what they are doing.

It was the same last season. Guys come here with a reputation as a defender but can't play defense is whatever system Pope is pretending to run.
He has good defensive players but has never been a good defensive coach. It's not that complicated. It absolutely CAN happen, but it would be a first for Pope
 

UKCowboys

All-Conference
Oct 14, 2019
1,297
2,202
113
why is expanding the rotation a good thing?
Because we were always going to win this damn game SMH. Aren't you the fella that was crying because we didn't start Lowe against North Carolina Central Tech Western State University? Good gosh, its like explaining basketball to kindergarteners lol
 

preston-lemasterpiece

All-Conference
Apr 15, 2025
1,057
1,928
111
Because we were always going to win this damn game SMH. Aren't you the fella that was crying because we didn't start Lowe against North Carolina Central Tech Western State University? Good gosh, its like explaining basketball to kindergarteners lol
No that wasn't me.

I don't GAF about the Bellarmine game. But i think going forward the bench should be shortened not expanded. That was my point.
 

wildcat111

All-Conference
Dec 9, 2020
1,405
1,621
113
I don’t even agree we are a subpar 3 point shooting team. Certainly, we have been…however, our averages will end up at least average or above average. Doesn’t mean we will be elite, but we have too many guys shooting below their expected value and that will rise. Quote me on it at the end of the season if I’m wrong.

We are 114/338 for the year from deep. That’s 33.7% which has us tied for 172nd out of 365 teams and I’d argue we figure to increase from here.
No, we do not play any more JV teams this year. The JV teams drastically inflated our shooting percentage. Check the stats!
 
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