08 Need To Stop The Slide Against Mount St. Marys at Rupp

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2019-20 Season Analytical Writings

08
Cats Need to Reverse Recent Decline in Play

The game ANE has declined for this team in each successive game since its very impressive opening game win over #1 Michigan State in MSG. The Cats need to stop this decline, and there is no better time for this team to reverse course than Friday night when Mount St. Mary comes into Rupp.

Yes, the Cats now stand at 3-1 with an Adjusted Net Efficiency (ANE) of 0.16 points per possession (ppp) against a schedule strength of -0.013 ppp. The Cats' average tempo remains about 71 possessions per game.

#261 Mount St. Mary's has played five games, four against D1 opposition with a 0-4 record in those games on the road. The Mountaineers lost at #61 Georgetwon by 13, at #55 Washington by 10, at #248 Lamar (Kentucky's opponent on Sunday) by 15, and at #153 UAB by 7. These games produced an ANE of -0.064 ppp against a schedule strength of 0.106 ppp.

Based on this early season data for these teams, an ANE analysis indicates this game will have a tempo of 73 possessions with the Cats prevailing by 20 points, 79-59.

Game Summary:

It seems that E. J. Montgomery and Immanuel Quickley may be able to go tonight. Ashton Hagans is still nursing a heel injury but should be able to go as well. Tonight, Calipari starts Tyrese Maxey, Ashton Hagans, Nate Sestina, Nick Richards, and Kahlil Whitney. Johnny Juzang, and Keino Brooks will come off the bench tonight. Immanuel Quickley, and E. J. Montgomery may also be available, but Dontaie Allen remain on the disabled list.

Kentucky controls the opening tip and Nick Richards scores on a pick and roll with the assist to Ashton Hagans. Nick Richards scored the Cats next basket in transition, and ended the segment with a 3 point play, scoring 7 of the Cats first 9 points of the game, and lifting his team to an early 9-5 lead at the under 16 media timeout. The Cats extend their lead to 6, 11-5, but MSM pulls to within 1 point on a 3 point basket and a layup. The Cats then outscore the Mountaineers 6-1, and MSM takes a timeout with 12:18 left in the first half and the Cats leading by 6, 17-11.

After the timeout, MSM goes on a 7-0 run, and Coach Calipari takes a timeout with the Cats down by 1 point, 18-17 and 10:03 left in the first half. Over the balance of the segment, the Cats continue to trail, 20-19, at the under 8 media timeout. In the 4 th segment, MSM moves up by 3 on a pair of free throws after the timeout, but the Cats respond with a 6-0 run of their own, and lead by 3 at the under 4 media timeout, but MSM will be at the line for a 1+1 after the timeout.

The Cats ease out to a fragile 5 point halftime lead, 39-34.

The Cats scored 39 points on 34 possessions, 1.147 points per possession, and Mount St. Mary's managed their 34 points on 35 possessions, 0.971 ppp. The Cats made 51.9% (14-27) of their first half shots, including 1-5 (20.0%) from outside the arc. Mount St. Mary's made 10-29 (34.5%) shooting in the first half and only managed to make 3-11 shots from long range (27.3%) and 7-18 (38.8%) from inside the arc.

The Cats made 10-10 free throws (100.0%) and Mount St. Mary's managed to make 11-14 (78.6%) free throws.

On the Boards, the Cats won the battle 18-13 and the Cats and Mountaineers each grabbed 4 offensive rebounds. The Cats used its 4 second chance possessions to score 4 points and MOUNT ST. MARY'S used its 4 second chances to score 4 second chance points. The Cats grabbed 30.8% of their missed shots while MOUNT ST. MARY'S only rebounded 22.2% of its missed shots. The Cats committed 7 turnovers, one for each 4.9 possessions while Mount St. Mary's committed 3 turnovers, one for each 11.7 possessions.

Second Half:

MOUNT ST. MARY'S opens the second half with an empty trip, and the Cats outscore the Mountaineers 10-2 to move on top by 13 points, 49-36 with 16 minutes left in the game. At the under 16 media timeout, with 14:21 left, the Cats lead by 12, 51-39. After the timeout, the Cats quickly extend their lead to a game high 20 points, 59-39 with a 3 pointer by Immanuel Quickley, a basket by Keion Brooks, and a 3 pointer by Immanuel Quickley. MSM takes a timeout with 13:12 left in the game. After the timeout, MSM stops the UK run with a basket, but Kahlil Whitney continues the hot 3 point shooting with the Cats' 4 th 3 pointer of the second half on four attempts. At the under 12 media timeout, Nate Sestina scored to extend the lead to 23, 64-41, and Nate Sestina will have a free throw attempt to complete a 3 point play after the timeout.

At the under 4 media timeout, the Cats lead by 18, 76-58, and Nick Richards will be at the line after the timeout.

Cats win by 20, 82-62.

Analysis:

UK scored its 82 points in a total of 69 possessions (1.188 ppp) for the game, and Mount St. Mary's scored its 62 points on a total of 70 possessions (0.886 ppp).

Kentucky won the battle of the boards, with a rebounding edge 35-31, but Mount St. Mary's won the battle of the offensive glass 10-6. Kentucky used its 6 second chance possessions to score 6 second chance points while MOUNT ST. MARY'S used its 10 second chances to score 11 points. With respect to the offensive rebounding, UK grabbed a season poor 22.2% of its misses as offensive rebounds while Mount St. Mary's was able to convert 25.6% of its misses into bonus possessions with offensive rebounds.

UK hit well from the free throw line in this game, making 16-18 [88.9%]. Mount St. Mary's made 13-18 [72.2%] for the game. Field goal shooting for UK was 30-55 overall [54.5%] and 6-15 from long range [40.0%]. For Mount St. Mary's, their field goal shooting from inside the arc was 17-37 [45.9%] and from long range, Mount St. Mary's hit 5-24 [20.8

The Cats committed 12 turnovers, one for every 5.8possessions. The Cats forced 10 Mount St. Mary's turnovers, one for every 7.0 possessions.

Next Game On Schedule: Sunday night against Lamar in the sixth game of the 2019-20 regular season.

Submitted by Richard Cheeks

Submitted by Richard Cheeks

To Cats Can Make A Statement Against Lamar

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