Kentucky defense had historically poor performance in 2023

Kentucky’s season came to an end on Sunday afternoon in Greensboro. Now we must close the book and recap what we just learned in the 34 games played this season.

To say Kentucky was a juggernaut on offense would be an incorrect statement. The Wildcats had some real shooting issues at times throughout the season but were dominant at creating second opportunities. Per KenPom data, UK ranks No. 1 in offensive rebound percentage (39.2%) and that led to a top-20 finish on that end of the floor.

Kentucky finished a disappointing 22-12 this season, but it wasn’t because of the offense. The defense let the team down time and time again.

There are still games to be played before this season is finalized, but let’s take a look at where Kentucky finished in some major statistical categories.

• Adjusted defensive efficiency: No. 66 (98.7)
• Effective field goal percentage: No. 90 (48.6%)
• Block percentage: No. 104 (10.0%)
• Turnover percentage: No. 278 (16.6%)

Where does this season rank in recent history for Kentucky? Towards the bottom. Only the 2012-13 team had a worse efficiency finish (No. 88) during the John Calipari era. The Wildcats finished sub-100 in block percentage for the first time since Calipari took over in 2009-10. Kentucky has finished in the top-25 in this metric 11 times under Cal but that rim protection has disappeared the last two seasons.

KenPom has been logging rankings since the 1996-97 season. That’s 27 years of data. Only two defenses at Kentucky (2012-13, 2005-06) had a more inefficient season than 2022-23. Kentucky’s issues this season came down to an inability to get stops.

All year we saw this team have issues defending ballscreens. That is what ultimately sent the Cats home as Kansas State’s Markquis Nowell carved Kentucky up for 27 points on 14 shots with nine assists and mostly all of the production coming out of spread ballscreen actions.

Kentucky made some improvements as the defense was ranked as low as No. 89 in adjusted defensive efficiency after the loss to Arkansas on Feb. 7. From that point, Kentucky was No. 44 in adjusted defensive efficiency according to Bart Torvik. While an improvement, that is simply not good enough.

John Calipari is entering a critical offseason before beginning a gigantic 2023-24 season. Getting things corrected on defense needs to be a top goal. Kentucky must get back to playing at a top-10 level if they are truly going to compete for championships. Returning to that form may come down to finding some more shot-blocking.