Arkansas at Kentucky -- Statistical breakdown

Here is the statistical comparison between Kentucky and Arkansas

This is a very even game, statistically speaking.  Arkansas is very slightly superior in many categories, especially in conference.  You will notice I added three additional statistical categories to the National rankings section relating to defensive stats.  I don't know why I had previously omitted them, but they are included now.

There are two things that jump out at me as opportunities for Kentucky here.  One is the fact that the Razorbacks foul more than we do.  That is a situation we have actually experienced only once this year, against Tennessee, and we all know what happened.  Putting the Wildcats on the free throw line is a very bad idea.  The second is the fact that the Razorbacks have a very strong correlation between turnovers and efficiency on both sides of the ball.  If they turn it over a lot on offense, they are very likely to lose.  If they fail to turn the opponent over on defense, their defensive efficiency is significantly impacted.

Arkansas also likes to play at a significantly higher pace than Kentucky.  Kentucky has successfully exploited pace-sensitive teams all year, and I expect this will be another opportunity to do so.  These two teams couldn't be much more different in style of play and composition.  Arkansas is a fast-paced, pressing team with a big front line.  Kentucky is a grind-it-out team with a small front line.  A big area of concern for the Cats, as it has been all year, will be rebounding.  We have often held our own against bigger teams, but Arkansas is not only big, but athletic as well.

I'll have a more in-depth look at the game in my adversary analysis.  For more on the Arkansas Razorbacks, please be sure to visit our good friends at Razorback Expats.

Thanks again to Statsheet.com and Basketball State for the statistical data.