SAD NEWS; the Kentucky wildcats have just experienced the worst that…..
Cats taking pride in defense, brace for surging LSU
Published 10:18 am Wednesday, February 21, 2024
By Keith Taylor
Kentucky is finally starting to turn the corner on the defensive end of the court and it’s beginning to show going into the stretch run of the regular season.
The No. 17 Wildcats (18-7, 8-4 Southeastern Conference) surrendered only 59 and 63 points in the past two games against strong opponents (Auburn and Ole Miss).
Kentucky assistant coach John Welch said the team’s recent success on defense didn’t happen overnight.
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“I think we’ve been hammering on the defense for months now,” Welch said Tuesday. “Right from the beginning, we thought our offense was ahead of our defense, so defense has been an emphasis for a couple of months and it’s starting to show.
“Then we picked our pressure up some, our pickup point is higher. Also, getting D.J. (Wagner) back. We felt that set the tone. How hard he plays, how well he guards the ball is a big difference.”
The players also have embraced the added emphasis on defense, Welch said.
“I think the players are learning,” Welch said. “We’re working on it constantly. I think the hard work is starting to show. D.J.’s pressure on the ball makes a difference and the harder he plays makes other guys want to play harder, too.”
That, Welch said, has led to the Wildcats taking enjoyment on defense.
“I think they’re developing a pride in their defense,” he said. “I think they took it personal, what was being said about them.”
On his radio show Monday night, Kentucky coach John Calipari liked the way his squad practiced coming off the impressive win over Auburn on Saturday.
“(Monday) was a great practice — like, wow!” Calipari said. “I even cut it short, they were so good. We (had) one (Tuesday) and then we travel and play at LSU. They’re playing really good. This is gonna be a hard game.”
LSU (13-12, 5-7) is coming off a 64-63 win over South Carolina and Welch agreed with Calipari’s assessment.
“It’s going to be a tough game,” Welch said. “Hopefully, we can play well. LSU is a very good team. They’re a very good offensive team. They have great spacing, they move the ball. It’s going to be another great challenge for our defense.”
Kentucky forward Tre Mitchell, who missed Saturday’s game at Auburn because of a shoulder injury, didn’t practice on Monday, but Calipari said Mitchell is improving daily.
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KENTUCKY WILDCATS BASKETBALL
Larry Bird says he wanted to play for Kentucky, but the Cats quit recruiting him
The NBA Legend wanted to play college basketball in Lexington.
By PatrickJCarey Feb 21, 2024, 6:00am EST 5 Comments / 5 New
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NBA: 2019 NBA Awards
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
One NBA legend, Larry Bird recently shared some interesting information in regard to his recruitment during his high school basketball days.
Bird chatted with Reggie Miller and Isaiah Thomas about his recruiting days and shared he wanted to play for the Kentucky Wildcats, but the Cats quit recruiting him.
Larry Bird says he wanted to go to Kentucky to play college basketball but they quit recruiting him…
Could you imagine. pic.twitter.com/3FAmwvxeNe
— Tres Terrell (@TerrellTres) February 21, 2024
Bird stated, “Well, I wanted to go Kentucky, but Kentucky quit recruiting me, so it came down to Indiana State and IU (Indiana).”
The former Sycamore spent his time with Indiana State from 1976-79 before being drafted to the National Basketball Association.
Bird averaged over 30.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game during his career with Indiana State.
The Sycamores went 81-13 during Bird’s time at Indiana State and nearly won the National Championship, with a perfect record (33-0), in 1979, before falling to Magic Johnson and Michigan State.
Kentucky and Joe B. Hall did not bring Bird to Lexington, but it is hard not to think what Bird and Big Blue Nation could’ve been during his time playing college basketball.
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