Well, we have to like most of what we saw in the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores, but the last two possessions were alarming, Vanderbilt driving straight to the hoop for a layup both times.
So far, the Kentucky Wildcats have played a really good game offensively, shooting 61.3% as a team from the floor, and holding the Commodores to 41.7%, although the Commodore’s eFG% would be much higher, because they are making 60% of their 3-point shots.
Kentucky is struggling to keep up with the Commodore wings, and that is really hurting the Wildcats. There have been far too many open shots yielded to Vanderbilt by Kentucky, and that has to stop.
Kentucky is also struggling to make free throws, and ironically, the worst FT% shooter in the lineup, Willie Cauley-Stein, made the only two first half charity tosses for the Wildcats. But Ryan Harrow and Archie Goodwin are playing extremely well on the offensive end, and that's the big reason for this lead.
Kentucky is playing very well offensively, but perimeter defensive lapses have kept them from blowing this game open. That has to change in the second half, or the ’Cats are going to wind up in the same uncomfortable position they were in in Nashville.
Let’s get it done, guys. Go, ’Cats!