The Kentucky Wildcats need to get this standout the ball more
After the loss to Tennessee in Rupp Arena, it's time to really figure out what is wrong with this Kentucky team.
It's very obvious that the defense needs to be better for this team, as they just gave up 103 points on their home court. In the loss to the Vols, Kentucky was able to score, putting 93 points up on the board while shooting 49.3% from the field and 44.4% from three. They did this against a Tennessee defense that was ranked second-best in KenPom. The coaching staff needs to sit down and brainstorm ways to get this defense better, or the best offense in Coach Calipari's tenure at Kentucky will be wasted.
Clearly, Rob Dillingham was Kentucky's star on the offensive side of the floor, but another player who had a good showing was Adou Thiero. He was 1-3 from the floor but scored nine points thanks to going 7-8 from the free throw line. Thiero was straight line driving to the rim and getting fouled then making the free ones. This is great as it gives the opposing team fouls. Thiero needs to start putting his head down and getting to the rim. This will help Kentucky find offense in games where they aren't shooting the ball well. Thiero had the team's best +-/- with a +6, even, with Dillingham scoring 35 points. The sophomore wing does a lot well and always finds a way to help this team.
After the game, John Calipari had this to say about Dillingham and Theiro's performances, "First of all, I told them after – that team played really well, and you fought and had your chances. Some of the breakdowns we can talk about and get better. But I told them, every goal that we have is still out in front of us. We are fine if we come together and understand. I said Justin played well and did some good stuff. Robert did well. Robert kept us in the game. In the first half, we were down four because Robert made basket after basket. Reed did some good stuff. We got to get healthy. It's hard to get a rotation going when you are shorthanded. I thought Adou did some really good stuff today. Adou rebounded and, scored at the rim and made free throws. He did good stuff today."
Thiero will start to get more involved in the offense if he can keep getting to the free throw line and making his shots.
