Three takeaways from Kentucky basketball’s win over Georgia Tech
In addition to my column, three takeaways from Kentucky basketball’s 67-53 victory over Georgia Tech:
1. These Wildcats continue to excel at the foul line
John Calipari’s club made 15 of its 18 free throw attempts in the 14-point win. That’s 83.3 percent. That also brings the season average up to 79.8 percent, which ranks eighth nationally.
The top eight:
- Western Illinois 88.3
- Pepperdine 85.9
- Northeastern 81.9
- UTEP 81.7
- Sacred Heart 81.0
- South Carolina State 80.7
- Colgate 80.5
- Kentucky 79.8.
The UK trio of Ashton Hagans (43-for-49), Tyrese Maxey (32-for-36) and Immanuel Quickley (29-for-31) are shooting a combined 104-for-116 for 89.7 percent.
Meanwhile, Georgia Tech made just two of six free throws. The Yellow Jackets are shooting just 57.6 percent from the foul line, which ranks 344th out of the 353 Division I schools.
“I told Coach Calipari when we were at Memphis, Georgia Tech shooting free throws like we did at Memphis,” said Georgia Tech Coach Josh Pastner. “They’re shooting free throws like… as much as you won at Memphis, you might have won 100 percent of his games the way they’re shooting the free throws. I think they’re one of the two or three best in the country. That’s a big difference in games when it’s a possession by possession game, being able to make those free throws. That’s a big deal.”
2. Kentucky’s defense was excellent in the second half
The Cats led just 36-30 at the half and had to rally from a five-point deficit to accomplish that. Never mind that Georgia Tech had been blown out 97-63 at home just a week ago by Syracuse. The Jackets led UK in Rupp 26-21 with 7:24 left in the first half before Kentucky went on a 10-0 run.
Georgia Tech shot 50 percent the first half, making 12 of 24 shots. The visitors were 4-for-7 from three-point range. That all changed in the second half. Pastner’s squad shot just 37.9 percent the second half. The Jackets were 1-for-11 from three-point land the final 20 minutes. They scored just 10 points the final 10:21 of the game.
Overall, UK outscored Georgia Tech 31-23 the second half. Kentucky ended up averaging 0.992 points per possession. Tech averaged 0.793 per possession, just above Fairleigh Dickinson’s 0.778 last week. Eastern Kentucky has a season-low 0.568 PPP against the Cats.
Nick Richards did block four shots. The junior center has blocked 18 shots over his last six games. Richards also scored 12 points, but Calipari wants more.
“I want him to be the best big man in the country,” said the coach. “You know why? Because I truly believe he’s capable of it. Who’s his size with his athleticism? But if you don’t fight — if there’s talent but you don’t fight and the other team is a better team, they play together better, you’re losing. I don’t care how talented you are.”
3. Now on to Las Vegas and tougher competition
That starts Wednesday night when UK faces Utah. The Utes aren’t great. They’re 108th in the latest kenpom rankings. But they are 8-2 on the season, with losses to Coastal Carolina and Tulane. They rank 13th nationally in effective field goal percentage at 56.5 percent. And they’re fourth in two-point field goal percentage at 59.8.
The big one is next Saturday against Ohio State in the CBS Sports Classic. You can check out the Buckeyes on Sunday when Chris Holtmann’s club, No. 1 in the kenpom rankings, plays at Minnesota. It’s a 6:30 p.m. game on the Big Ten Network.
Ohio State is second nationally in defensive efficiency, fifth in offensive efficiency, fifth in effective field goal percentage, ninth in three-point percentage and ninth in steal percentage. To be top 10 in that many categories is pretty impressive.
And, oh yeah, the Buckeyes are No. 1 in two-point defense at 35.9 percent.
This story was originally published December 15, 2019 at 6:00 AM.
