Kentucky forward Willie Cauley-Stein (15) and Vanderbilt guard Kevin Bright (15) tussle for the ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Southeastern Conference tournament, Friday, March 15, 2013, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
By LARRY VAUGHT
NASHVILLE — Did you wonder why Kentucky went back to a man-to-man defense after a 10-0 second half run — the one bright spot in Friday’s loss to Vanderbilt — that was keyed by a rare John Calipari zone defense?
If you did, here is what Calipari said after the game about the move:
“We had no choice. It’s kind of like when I played Willie with 11 minutes to go with four fouls or Nerlens with five minutes with four fouls. We had no choice. We’ve got to try something here. The zone was good. We had our chances. It got to 11 and then we broke down two or three straight times.,” Calipari said. “We miss a lay-up, miss a wide open shot. All we needed to do is try to get it to 6, 7, 8 points and see what would happen. We never — it was — we were stabbing ourselves in the eye in most cases.”
14 Responses to Why did Kentucky abandon zone defense after 10-0 run against Vandy?
Leave a Reply
Blue Zoom Radio Show
Polls
Loading ...Choose Your Favorite!
Well, I guess we all have a lot to think about. Players, coaches and fans. Larry do you have any idea how many times Ky has lost their first game in the SEC? What about first round if they didn’t have a by and what about never making the tournament? THX
It was WAY TOO EARLY to abandon the zone!!! Pathetic execution on offense (including Harrow missing (so typical in a crunch time) a point-blank shot, was not an excuse for switching out of the ONLY defense that worked. We should have been playing a zone a LOT this year, because of numerous reasons, including the need to play Wiltjer more, the need to give Hood more minutes AND the need to sit Harrow on the bench in favor of anyone.
Anyone ever wonder why we NEVER set a screen for a real shooter… Wiltjer, Mays… Other teams get their sharp shooters clean looks, but we never seem to care about a clean look at the basket.
http://bigbluehistory.net/bb/Statistics/statistics.html
Enjoy. All kinds of goodies can be found there.
You may have to look around to find the answers to your questions. I’ve spent hours on that site.
I love that site but didn’t have the time to look! I thought someone would know without me having to think. Brain still messed up from the game. Thanks!
Don’t understand not using a zone much more this season. If they could have learned how to play a zone a little better, we could have used some players a little more this year and possibly had a better chance to win. This team was not made up of players that could defend one-on-one. Anyone could look at this team and tell that. Makes no sense. Also, agree with earlier statement about the screens. I can’t remember seeing many from this team. I guess Cal thinks these players should be capable of creating their own shots, but when they can’t, the coach must change his philosophy.
Every UK fan in Kentucky kws that Harrow,Poythress,Mays,Wiljer,and {plson can’t play solid man defense.I just wish the coach would have realized it and really had this group working at various zone defenses.I always thought that coaching was centered around the talent that you have,but apparently Cal has such a distate for zone defenses,regardless of the skill level of his players he is not going to play zone defense.And this decision led to the embarrassing letdowns we have seen this year.Oh well.there is always next year and a new group of kids to work with and start from scratch with.
It’s certaintly going to be intereting tp see where current team members wind up because with the new signees,there’s going to be some limited space available.
His answer makes no sense. He didn’t have
To switch out of the zone. There was plenty of
Time to complete the run we started. Plus the
Zone was allowing us to get blocks and long rebounds
And get out on the break. My opinion is Cal
Coached this game as bad as his players played
Only Cal can try and defend why he has such distain for the zone D. One would have to wonder how many games we have lost this year because of this. Most coaches like to adjust to the talent they have but Cal stays stubborn to a fault.
For those who are blaming Cal because He switched back to a man to man instead of staying in the zone was because Vandy started shooting lights out. What is the worst defense against a team shooting like Vandy? Zone
Remember Cal doesn’t have the benefiet of hindsight when he makes these decisions
Larry, Do you have any early insight as to who might be returning next , regardless of N.I.T. or Field of 64? I am really interested as to the dynamic of next years team. Hypotheticals are all I have , but if everyone returns and next years recruits get here , it sure seems that there is going to be some fire power. I have what I think is a legitimate question. Would Archie Goodwin mold his game to fit a team with plenty of offensive options or would he continue to try to drive against what at sometimes seems to be an impossible amount of defense? There is plenty of view points on do we want these guys to return or not , and me personally , I am not sure. If everyone returned , there would have to be some serious sacrafice next year . What does everyone think? Give me your point of view. Cordially of course.
bottom line is man to man or zone this team can’t guard without fouling. slow feet and poor fundamentals has doomed this team defensely. Cal makes mistakes but players have to play.
They were winning another game earlier this yr I forgot which one but thety were in zone and winning went man to man and didn’t switch back and they got beat. It waseasy to see this is not the same UK team as before and what would it have hurt to try different styles and see what happens. Cal said it before he has struggled this yr whit this team. He is a great coach lets face it he isn’t going to listen from any of us. He is the one making the money LOL
I think Jim Boeheim at Syracuse is a pretty smart coach (his record speaks for itself) and he exclusivelt plays a 2-3 zone. I think Cal is a great coach overall and a great recruiter but he is not becessarily a great coach at making adjustments during the game or game planning for his opponents. He admited himself this year that he watched video of how Auburn played opponents so he could see what they did and copy it since his former asst (Tony Barbee) is now their head coach. If you are good adjustment coach I dont think you do that. That being said Cal is the best recruiter and motivator in the college game today.
I think going away from the zone cost this team the only (slim) chance they had to win against Vandy. Of course like all the other teams that play us Vandy had their game of the year. Against Ole Miss they couldn’t buy a 3 pt shot.