Why Kentucky's NCAA Tournament prospects rest on Bam Adebayo's shoulders

[Jeff ROCKober]

Kentucky has already been really good with Monk and Fox. You hear the “guard play is so important” trope tossed out every hour of March, and I don’t fight that philosophy. But having a big who could wreck shop means something, too. College basketball teams can still get by with bullies around the rim. Few players in college hoops are as physically imposing as Adebayo. The question is production.

He’s averaging a respectable 13.3 points and 7.8 rebounds in 29.6 minutes. Calipari had frustrations earlier in the season when his team wasn’t feeding its freshman low-post force enough. That’s changed of late, though. Kentucky’s riding an 11-game winning streak. In the past 10 games, Adebayo’s at 14.3 points and 9.9 rebounds per. His efficiency has been remarkable. Adebayo’s shooting 61.4 percent on the year, and 63.3 percent amid UK’s winning streak. As the season’s gone on, he’s gotten better.

The Wildcats have a top-15 offense and a top-10 defense. Essential to the cause on both ends is big boy Bam. This is why I list Adebayo among the lesser-recognized studs who could become March Madness stars in a matter of days .

Down the stretch there have been games where Kentucky’s not had Fox due to injury. And Monk hasn’t shot above 50 percent from the floor since Feb. 7. That hasn’t stopped Kentucky from winning. Adebayo is a huge reason why. Not the only reason, but the biggest. His foul rate is impressive too. He doesn’t put himself on the bench. Adebayo hasn’t fouled out of a game once, and he hasn’t hit the four-foul mark since the Feb. 4 game at Florida — the last time UK lost.

[Pobilly]

Bam is the Key! But he will get in foul trouble one game, we will need Hump to come in and play solid minutes, also Willis playing the role of weak side blocking has helped Bam out. DW is playing well and he is doing it without scoring 14 a game. It takes both of these guys as well as a productive WG (meaning block a shot / grab a board or play good Defense). Also per Cal you might see a large lineup again or the 4 guard that he ran in the SEC Tourney. Cannot wait to see how we come out playing this Friday. GO BIG BLUE!

[Lighthouse]

Bam is playing much smarter on the defensive end. He's only committed a couple dumb fouls in the last several games, and that's key. His motor is running all the time and they're getting him the ball in spots where he can score. We have to have that continued play from him to go very far.

[BobS]

There is no doubt Bam is critical to our success, but I think the Cats go as far as Fox takes them. This team cannot go anywhere with Briscoe running things. When Fox is in there and engaged(see SECT), the whole team benefits.

[J.Jennings]

Cant remember a player who has transformed as much as Bam in a 3 to 4 week span, total game changer for this team. They can say it's been his diet but I think it's more mental, the light finally clicked on. His post play, footwork, shooting touch, everything just came together right before our eyes.

[Matt Dillon]

There is no doubt Bam is critical to our success, but I think the Cats go as far as Fox takes them. This team cannot go anywhere with Briscoe running things. When Fox is in there and engaged(see SECT), the whole team benefits.

I agree, except I'd add Monk to the mix. We need Bam, but we also need Fox running the team and Monk's scoring as well, in my opinion.

[Joneslab]

This team has a fairly small margin for error so you basically need all your key players to hit on all cylinders for all six of these games.

We don't shoot the ball exceptionally well. We don't have a lot of quality depth. We don't have great size at the 3. We give up ground at the 4 against certain teams.

A few flaws there. This obviously isn't 2015 where you could have an off day from three guys and still win. This is more like 2011, the team that had six players: you need them all clicking or you aren't winning.

I think a case can be made for Bam being our most important...but you'll also notice that when Briscoe is playing well we play well. Also Fox. If Monk's not shooting then we struggle...

This is indicative of a team that needs all hands on deck.

[Spiritof96]

I agree, except I'd add Monk to the mix. We need Bam, but we also need Fox running the team and Monk's scoring as well, in my opinion.

I would love for Fox and Monk to figure out how to play where both are involved in the offense. It still seems like they take turns rather than working together. My biggest fear for this team in the tournament is that we get into crunch time and unlike SEC league play the stakes are high and we default to turn-taking-hero-ball rather than team basketball.

[Joneslab]

I would love for Fox and Monk to figure out how to play where both are involved in the offense. It still seems like they take turns rather than working together. My biggest fear for this team in the tournament is that we get into crunch time and unlike SEC league play the stakes are high and we default to turn-taking-hero-ball rather than team basketball.

Not sure they necessarily take turns. They had 35 combined in the SEC title game. 48 combined in the semifinal.

Fox had a rough stretch starting when he got sick, and I think that diluted his consistency. Then he got hurt. You throw those games out and the guy had a hell of a year.

What concerns me is their mental toughness. It has been talked about--always after the fact--that UK's young guys panicked when they got to the big stage. The Brandon Knight team--Knight particularly--lost their mind in the Final Four game against UConn. The Harrison twins admitted they were scared to death in the championship game their first year.

Young teams tend to do that...and this team has panicked off and on for most of the year. They tend to get it together just enough to win games, but we've seen even in these slow starts a lot of shakiness. Guys trying to do too much. Putting up bad shots. Defensive breakdowns. And those were just in normal games, some of them at home.

How they'll react as the stage gets bigger and bigger is a concerning thing. If they have one of those dud starts and get down 18-4 against a team that can play it's over. That could happen as soon as this weekend if they aren't careful.

[Spiritof96]

Not sure they necessarily take turns. They had 35 combined in the SEC title game. 48 combined in the semifinal.

Fox had a rough stretch starting when he got sick, and I think that diluted his consistency. Then he got hurt. You throw those games out and the guy had a hell of a year.

What concerns me is their mental toughness. It has been talked about--always after the fact--that UK's young guys panicked when they got to the big stage. The Brandon Knight team--Knight particularly--lost their mind in the Final Four game against UConn. The Harrison twins admitted they were scared to death in the championship game their first year.

Young teams tend to do that...and this team has panicked off and on for most of the year. They tend to get it together just enough to win games, but we've seen even in these slow starts a lot of shakiness. Guys trying to do too much. Putting up bad shots. Defensive breakdowns. And those were just in normal games, some of them at home.

How they'll react as the stage gets bigger and bigger is a concerning thing. If they have one of those dud starts and get down 18-4 against a team that can play it's over. That could happen as soon as this weekend if they aren't careful.

Despite their scoring totals Monk seems to disappear for long stretches of the game, especially when Fox is having success driving to the basket. He can't be going 1 for 5 from three against a good team if we expect to win.

You are spot on about mental toughness. The team played scared in 11 and 14. This team has been more susceptible to self destructing under pressure than most of Cal's teams.

[Lighthouse]

One thing about Monk that really upsets me is when he refuses to play defense or be willing to fight for a rebound. I can't remember which game, but one time under the opponents basket, he stood still and watched as Bam and I think Willis, were battling 3 players for the rebound which finally resulted in an offensive rebound and score. He should have at least been involved but chose not to be. This is something we can't have if we intend to beat elite teams. All players totally engaged.

[GOCAT15]

This team has a fairly small margin for error so you basically need all your key players to hit on all cylinders for all six of these games.

We don't shoot the ball exceptionally well. We don't have a lot of quality depth. We don't have great size at the 3. We give up ground at the 4 against certain teams.

A few flaws there. This obviously isn't 2015 where you could have an off day from three guys and still win. This is more like 2011, the team that had six players: you need them all clicking or you aren't winning.

I think a case can be made for Bam being our most important...but you'll also notice that when Briscoe is playing well we play well. Also Fox. If Monk's not shooting then we struggle...

This is indicative of a team that needs all hands on deck.

And that is my worry....I don't see us weathering a storm that includes either Bam or Fox getting in foul trouble early and Monk being cold. That is our recipe for a trip back to Lexington.

[Owllycat]

To me it dont rest on any certain player. With great teamwork and knowing how to play the ball, we will win.