Kentucky Basketball's Defense Is Holding Them Back In The KenPom Ratings

The Kentucky Wildcats have struggled out of the gates on defense in SEC play.

The Kentucky Wildcats have struggled out of the gates on defense in SEC play.

The Wildcats have given up 85, 77, and 97 points to their first three conference opponents. It's not looked great. KenPom, one of college basketball's most popular computer models, has been dropping the Wildcats in their ratings because of their poor defense.

Here are some notable stats the Wildcats are really strong or weak in nationally on KenPom:

Offense

Effective FG %: 57.0 (No. 12)

Turnover %: 12.8 (No. 3)

Off. Reb. %: 28.2 (No. 213)

3P%: 39.8 (No. 8)

Point Distribution, 3-Pointers: 33.9% (No. 76)

Defense

Avg. Poss. Length: 17.2 (No. 154)

Block %: 15.1 (No. 11)

Steal %: 11.1 (No. 71)

3PA/FGA (What percentage of opponent shots are 3-pointers): 43.0% (No. 326)

A/FGM (Assist percentage): 51.2 (No. 200)

Point Distribution, 3-Pointers: 34.2 (No. 61)

Personnel

Bench Minutes %: 30.1 (No. 218)

2-Foul Participation %: 8.1 (No. 311)

Notes:

Kentucky had a 100% 2-foul participation until the Penn game, where it tanked to 9.1%. It's gone up past 12% but now sits at 8.1%. I have no idea why this happened. It was likely an error in KenPom's system.

Kentucky was slightly more reliant on the outside shot through their first three games of SEC play.

The defense has now fallen from the high 40s to No. 55 in adjusted efficiency. Just too many points to Texas A&M and Missouri.

Bench minutes have slightly risen despite a shorter rotation with Adou Thiero out with an injury.

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