Scouting Report: Texas Longhorns

Kentucky Basketball Scouting Report

Opponent: University of Texas Date: 12/5/14

General

Great size; 4 players in the post that can physically match-up w/ ours.
Great rebounding team; out-rebounding opponents by 14 a game.
Playing without starting PG & leading scorer Isaiah Taylor.

Personnel

#3 PG Javan Felix: 5’11’’ 195 JR.

Felix is a versatile guard with the ability to play either the 1 or the 2. He is experienced in the Longhorns backcourt, starting the majority of games in both his freshman and sophomore seasons. Felix is an aggressive offensive player who will look to get going from beyond the arc. Averaging 8.8 points per game along with 2.3 assists.

#2 SG Demarcus Holland: 6’2’’ 190 JR.

Another seasoned veteran in the backcourt, Holland returns after starting every game as a sophomore and earning Big 12 All-Defensive Team honors. He is very athletic and is known for his outstanding defensive abilities. Offensively, Holland averages 8.1 points per game; he is a drive-first player but will hit open 3’s.

#10 SF Jonathon Holmes: 6’8’’ 240 SR.

Holmes leads the Longhorns in scoring & rebounding so far this season.

Holmes is a reigning All-Big 12 Second Team selection and has been a 4-year starter for Texas. He is a versatile player on the wing and can really shoot. He is their leading 3-point shooter, making 14 of his 28 attempts on the season so far. He is also the team-leader in points per game (12.7) and rebounds (8.6). Holmes is an outstanding offensive rebounder.

#21 PF Connor Lammert: 6’9’’ 240 JR.

Lammert is a long, stretch-4 who has attempted half of his shots from beyond the arc. He is a very good rebounder; averaging 6.4 a game to go with his 5.3 points per game. He is also a very good passer.

#55 C Cameron Ridley: 6’9’’ 285 JR.

Ridley has been sharing minutes with freshman phenom Myles Turner, but the junior big man is a very good player in his own right. He is a great defender and uses his size and strength well around the basket on both ends of the floor. Ridley averages 8.1 points per game.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

#0 G Kendal Lacy: 6’3’’ 200 SO.

He is a versatile, athletic player capable of playing three different positions. Lacy is a good 3-point shooter, but can get to the rim off the dribble using a quick first step and leaping ability. Averaging 6.3 points per game.

#52 PF Myles Turner: 6’11’’ 240 FR.

Turner is one of the top freshman in the country.

Turner, who continues to come off the Longhorn’s bench, is one of the most talented big men, and players in general, in the country. He is extremely skilled around the basket with a number of different scoring moves. In just 20 minutes of play per game, he is averaging 12.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Turner is a great free throw shooter and will also hit an open 3-pointer.

#44 C Prince Ibeh: 6’10’’ 260 JR.

Prince is another Texas big man who will see minutes this evening. He is a good player around the basket, a very good offensive rebounder, and a good shot blocker defensively. Ibeh is simply a very big guy who will look to be physical down low.

Keys to the Game

Build a lead early. Texas is much more comfortable playing from ahead where they can run some clock, pound the ball inside, and score inside-out. If Kentucky and jump out to a lead early it should throw the Longhorns off their game plan some and force them to play a style that they aren’t as comfortable playing.
Accept the challenge down low. For the first, and probably only, time this season UK will have serious competition around the rim. UT has 4 very good big men capable of banging around with our guys down low. The Wildcat big men will have to be up for the challenge and be ready to battle for rebounds and positioning around the basket.
Hit some 3’s. This sounds like a pretty obvious point to make, but Texas has really put the clamps down defensively so far this year. Teams are shooting just 30% from the field and 28% from beyond on the season against UT. Kentucky will need to knock in some shots early to loosen up the defense or we could find ourselves playing from behind late in the game.
Survive & Advance. This obviously isn’t a tournament game, but it will be played at a NCAA tournament level with a NCAA tournament atmosphere. For once, Kentucky won’t be expected to win by 20 or simply dominate the opponent; tonight it is all about just winning the game!

Brandon Ramsey

@Coach_BRamsey