Fundamental improvement is key focus area for Kentucky during spring practice

Failures in close games defined Kentucky’s season in 2022 and 2023. The Wildcats had chances to win a ton of games against power conference foes over those two years but are just a combined 2-5 in one-possession games. Kentucky wants those results to go in the other direction in 2024. Mark Stoops believes that there is one area that could flip Kentucky’s close-game blues.

The fundamentals.

“If you look at last year’s either success or some of the areas we fell short, in certain games, critical areas, 90 percent of the time it comes down to fundamentals. And fundamentally doing the things necessary and executing,” Stoops told the media on Saturday. “I think there’s a fine line in the spring because we have a new offensive coordinator again, and you have to put so much in.”

Through the first two weeks, Stoops is pleased with what new play-caller Bush Hamdan has installed crediting the “window dressing” to make things difficult on defenses. The next two weeks will be about the coaches taking a step back and seeing what the players can retain as a collective unit. But most importantly, spring ball is about the little things.

The spring is “such a fundamental game” that Kentucky is locked in on hammering away at some of the small minute details on offense and defense. Stoops appreciates the sweat equity his team has invested and appreciates their attitude.

Kentucky is hopeful that improved fundamentals will lead to more success on the field this fall. That is a clear focus area for the Wildcats during spring camp.

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