Who missed free throws? Almost automatic Clayton, reliable Martin and Condon who has been making free throws at a much higher clip this year. That alone was a major contributor. Then you have 23 missed three point shots? This is a game that the team will look back on and say we should have won it!
Definitely two legit teams going at it. I like that we play fast just because a lot of teams simply can’t hang with that scoring output. Unfortunately when you go against another high powered team it can kind of expose your defensive lapses. I love our big man rotation, but #22 against Kentucky had some man against boys moments out there. The only guy we have that could man up is Chinyelu, who himself had a nice game, but Williams seemed to have more offensive polish. One of our weaknesses seems to be big guys finishing. Hell we were posting up Chinyelu at times over Condon, so that says something considering Chinyelu is known as defensive guy. Condon is good and potential all-SEC eventually, but despite that I wish his offense had developed a bit more this offseason - he’s still raw around the basket and just doesn’t seem fluid even if he gets the ball on the block. He’s probably truly more of a stretch 4 but we don’t do that enough to scare teams with his shot either. So while we have 3 great guards, the function of the big guys in the offense is still a bit of work in progress.
Our defense is much improved, but we cannot sustain it with basically a 7 man rotation playing a hurry up offense. We weren't in transition much today, but we alway try to get the offense going before the defense is set. That gives both teams more possessions and we maintain that pace throughout the game. Alexis only got 5 minutes today. You are not going to play crisp defense with a short bench playing a frenetic pace. It will cause you to miss 3 pointers and free throws with tired legs.
Maybe falling behind forced so many threes, but we were 21-26 for two point shots that didn't result in fouls. Kentucky 106-100 Florida (Jan 4, 2025) Box Score - ESPN
That was worse. 1.4 points per possession. Colorado was 1.32. Florida basketball hour posted about it. We also scored 1.4 points.
Missed FTs but more so it was 20-4 UK on points off turnovers. We’ve made a living creating points off turnovers, today we died by it
Can't blame the refs for this one. It was the most evenly called game at Rupp that I can remember. UK just made more shots and scored off of turnovers.
Condon was very poor & unclutch at the FT line to the point I would have taken him out. He had been doing better this year, but I have no faith that he'll shoot well from the line. I know he's made a few 3 pointers this year but I also don't want him shooting them going forward. I don't think that's his game yet. Overall another stinker of a defensive performance. Had last year's team vibes all over it & that's not a good thing. If this defense continues, expect a lot more losses & a quick exit in the dance. Extremely disappointing defensive performance.
Never will make every free throw. Played it, coached it, watched it and one thing never ever fails defense wins/defense travels. I’ll take a solid defensive team any day over a team that has to score 108 to win. Even if we make 8 more free throws it’ll be a thing that won’t happen again this season or probably next with us in needing to score 108-110 points to win. Not a prescription to winning out scoring a great program at their place.
13 missed free throws and giving up 106 points is just not winning basketball. Have to get that fixed quickly with Tennesse and Arkansas coming up.
I think that’s what shocked me the defensive lapses. Giving up the back cuts and just easy baskets at the hoop. I saw parts of this against UNC giving up 84 against a good but not great team. Team will have to keep working at it defensively.
1. Did not cover 3 point line. 2. Missed too many free throws. 3. Lost points off turnovers. 4. Won rebounding. 5. Rupp is tough on all visitors with 24,000 screaming fans.
We need Condon's rebounding and toughness on the floor. He's shot 47% from three. No way we can be taking him out. He'll get the FT thing straightened out.
