Just looking at the roster, it seemed like the strength of this team would be its overwhelming offense. With an All-American point guard, all kinds of talent on the wings and two stellar bigs, it was a forgone conclusion that Kentucky would be able to put the ball in the hoop. However, it’s kind of been the opposite to this point.
Rather than winning games by reaching the century mark on a nightly basis, Kentucky is winning games by playing smothering defense. In fact, the Cats are second in the nation in field goal percentage defense, only trailing Mississippi State.
Kentucky’s opponents are shooting just 29.6% from the field. Mississippi State is holding opponents to 28.3%.
In Kentucky’s most recent game, they held No. 19 Illinois to just 26.7% from the field. As a team, the Fighting Illini made just 16 of their 60 shots and only one of their 16 threes. Even with such large advantage with free throw attempts (25 more than Kentucky), Illinois just couldn’t keep up with the Cats in the end because they couldn’t buy a bucket.
Kentucky WBB is one of the best defensive teams in college basketball - On3​
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