Watch the Tape: Michigan Wolverines

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UK’s trip to the UK turned out victorious. Searching for their first quality win of the season, the Kentucky Wildcats took down the Michigan Wolverines 73-69 in the Basketball Hall of Fame London Showcase. Kentucky placed all five starters in double-figures to move to 6-2 on the season. The loss for Michigan dropped them to 5-3 as they prepare for the start of Big Ten play.

Coughing up 14 turnovers and shooting just 10-20 from the free throw line kept this from being a comfortable win. However, the Wildcats executed better offensively and really played well defensively in the second half. The ‘Cats got the big shots they needed down the stretch to finally close out a game. Now, after returning from London, Kentucky will play just three games before December 28th’s matchup with Missouri to start the SEC schedule. The additional practice time, with some rest built in, comes a great time for Coach Calipari as they continue to figure this team out. Clear improvements are being made but the product is still a work in progress.

As we do after every Kentucky game, it is time to step into the film room and breakdown the tape. The execution, on both ends of the floor, was better but not perfect. However, simply playing harder covered up enough mistakes for the Wildcats to come away with the win. Defensively the ‘Cats did enough to hold a good offensive team under 70 points. They are going to win a lot of games when they hold their opponent under 70. Let’s dive on in and take a look at how Kentucky defeated the Michigan Wolverines in London.

Improved Effort Set the Tone Against Michigan

It is disappointing to say this, but Kentucky’s effort hasn’t always been great this season. Bad body language has crept in at different times as well. Especially on the trip to Gonzaga it felt like the Wildcats were punched in the mouth from the opening tip by a team that was simply more locked in. That was not the case on Sunday across the pond in London. If anything, the ‘Cats were the ones delivering the initial shot with how hard they were playing. Sometimes being active and engaged is enough to cover up mistakes and come away with a win in a close game.

Sahvir Wheeler is a polarizing figure in college basketball and especially within Big Blue Nation. However, there are two things that shouldn’t be up for debate when watching in Kentucky’s point guard. First of all, he plays harder consistently than everyone else. Secondly, he has the highest defensive IQ on the team. This is a perfect example of understanding the personnel and why it is important.

Wheeler is guarding #3 Llewellyn who is 5-27 from three-point range this season. Therefore, there is no reason to be tied to him on the perimeter. However, #2 Bufkin is a very good left-hand driver. Wheeler sees him attack the paint going left and decides to make a play on the ball. There is no concern of Bufkin passing to Llewellyn because given up that shot is okay. Stopping the left-hand drive is more important. Wheeler gets his hands on the ball and forces a jump ball. Arrow goes to Kentucky.

It might not look like much, but this is good team defense from the Wildcats. Hunter Dickinson is the focal point of what the Michigan Wolverines do offensively. He is too good of a player to ask Oscar Tshiebwe to guard him one-on-one all game long. However, that doesn’t mean you have to double-team him on every catch. Stunting, faking, and digging the ball out of the post can be just as effective without having to full commit two defenders to him. While Tshiebwe is being physical on Dickinson’s right shoulder, you see both Wheeler and Wallace give hard stunts as if they are heading to double. That movement immediately got Dickinson to pick up his dribble. The result was a contest turnaround jumper. Great defense from the Wildcats who look active and engaged early on.

Playing defense at the highest level is about decision-making and effort. You have to make decisions to take away the offense’s strengths while forcing them towards their weaknesses. Kentucky did a good job of that against the Michigan Wolverines on Sunday. After x-ing out the initial ballscreen, Jacob Toppin is stuck behind Hunter Dickinson on the low block. That isn’t exactly the best position to be in. However, the rest of the Wildcats defense prevents the post entry. First, you have excellent ball pressure by Chris Livingston. Then, you have both Cason Wallace and Oscar Tshiebwe helping aggressively off of low-percentage shooters. Finally, Tshiebwe recovers with a strong closeout. Forcing a contested three-pointer from a guy who is 5-27 instead of a paint catch for Dickinson is winning defense.

Better Offensive Execution Led to Easy Baskets

If you read these watch the tape articles you’ve heard us discuss that Kentucky’s offensive “issues” have been more about execution and less about scheme. That certainly appeared to be true on Sunday as the ‘Cats ran their normal sets, but simply executed at a higher level. We saw some better late clock execution as well that was a product of better playmakers getting the ball in their hands in those situations. Here is a look at a few of those clips.

Good, bad, or otherwise we have seen Kentucky run this circle set a lot in recent seasons. While it doesn’t create many shots off of the pindown screens, it is an effective action for feeding the post. On the ball reversal Oscar Tshiebwe is able to lull Hunter Dickinson to sleep a little bit to set up the duck-in. Tshiebwe walks in to the paint as if he is preparing to set another pindown but instead holds Dickinson off for a catch with two feet in the paint. He feels Dickinson on the high side and drop steps to the baseline for the pretty left-handed finish. That is a pro move with his back to the basket. Good execution. Simple offense.

Sahvir Wheeler brings a lot to the table on both ends of the floor for the Wildcats. However, late clock playmaking isn’t going to be where he shines. Against the Michigan Wolverines the ‘Cats allowed the ball to keep moving at the end of the shot clock and it led to better outcomes. Getting a ball reversal and multiple drives under the 10 second mark makes it really hard on the defense. Cason Wallace likely needs to be Kentucky’s late shot clock creator more often going forward.

The Wildcats have had a bad habit this season of not waiting on their screening action. Too often they just float out to the perimeter before a screen can actually be set. Cason Wallace does a great job here of waiting until Sahvir Wheeler brings the ball his direction and then curling the screen when his defender chases over the top. The Michigan defender guarding Jacob Toppin steps up to help which triggers the automatic lob. Easy two points off of simple offense. Great execution by all involved.

Wheeler, Wallace Shut Down the Wolverines

Kentucky’s defense took another leap in the second half to secure the 73-69 victory over the Michigan Wolverines. Both Sahvir Wheeler and Cason Wallace made excellent individual defensive plays to take Jett Howard out of the game and throw the Wolverine’s offensive rhythm off. Locking in defensively and simply playing harder than the opponent can cover up offensive issues late in games. The Wildcats did that on Sunday and it is why they came away with the win.

Sahvir Wheeler set the tone in the second half by covering the entire floor defensively. On this possession alone he starts on #3 Llewellyn, switches on to #2 Bufkin, switches on to #13 Howard, and then rides Howard over two ballscreens forcing him to move the ball ahead to #5 Williams. Daimion Collins did a good job of getting into the paint to provide help off of the low percentage shooter and got the 9-30 three-pointer shooter to take a contested one. Again, that is winning defense from the Wildcats.

There isn’t a freshman perimeter player in the country with a higher defensive ceiling than Cason Wallace. That was on full display at times against the Michigan Wolverines. This possession is a perfect example of the impact he can make defensively. Guarding a gifted offensive player like #13 Jett Howard is no easy task. However, Wallace chased him around the floor and completely took him out of this play. Twice Wallace fought over the handoff and was tight to Howard that the Wolverines couldn’t get him the ball. Then, he deflected the pass to the wing out of bounds. You’ll be seeing this clip again on NBA Draft night when they talk about Wallace’s defensive abilities.