December 4, 2025 • 27 mins
It's a Blue Blood edition of The Kentucky Basketball Podcast, presented by UK Federal Credit Union.
Noah Frary is joined by Wildcat legend Travis Ford to break down their takeaways from Kentucky’s loss to No. 16 North Carolina. What fueled Otega Oweh’s breakout performance? Why did the offense stall? And is the defense the most encouraging positive moving forward?
Plus, they'll preview Friday night's big-time matchup as Mark Few brings 11th-ranked Gonzaga to Nashville. Let's talk some Kentucky Basketball!
Noah Frary is joined by Wildcat legend Travis Ford to break down their takeaways from Kentucky’s loss to No. 16 North Carolina. What fueled Otega Oweh’s breakout performance? Why did the offense stall? And is the defense the most encouraging positive moving forward?
Plus, they'll preview Friday night's big-time matchup as Mark Few brings 11th-ranked Gonzaga to Nashville. Let's talk some Kentucky Basketball!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
Well, welcome back to another episode of the Kentucky Basketball Podcast.
Excited to be joined by UK legend Travis Ford on
this week's episode, Travis, it's been a little while since
we've we've seen each other.
Speaker 4 (00:26):
How you doing doing great? Doing great?
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Good to see you again and enjoyed doing a couple
of games with you. We had a good time. Yeah,
but it has it's been a while, and a lot's
happened in college basketball since since we've seen each other.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
Yeah, And I kind of wanted to stick on that
theme here to begin today's episode. Obviously, you've been around
the college game for what feels like an eternity at
this point.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
But you know, when you, I know, you watch a
lot of games.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
You know, what are maybe some things that are standing
out to you early on in this college basketball season.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Yeah, you know, the thing I think that stands out
is all the good games that happened so far, you know,
And I think it starts with some of the exhibition games.
The new rule, the n C DOUBLEA is implemented that
allows you know, Division one teams to play each other.
We saw Kentucky playing Purdue, Kentucky playing Georgetown.
Speaker 4 (01:12):
I think that's really good for the game.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
It really starts getting people when college football so is
happening so much right now, and during that time, it
gives people kind of an introduction to college basketball starting.
I think that's a great move by the NC double
a Is to get those games going. But then you've
seen all these different mtes. The player era out in
Vegas has an incredible field, so you've seen I think
(01:37):
more high level games against top twenty five teams, I
think than we've ever seen. And then also I think
the freshman class is really maybe the best freshman class
in the history of college basketball as far as how
deep it is. But it's it's it's been a I think,
you know, there's some really good teams, some really great
(01:59):
teams out I think you've got, you know, ten, eleven, twelve,
fifteen teams that you could argue could win a national
title based on how they've played in this early kind
of season.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
Yeah, I think what's been interesting to me, and you know,
I think you could have some unique perspective on this.
You know, having coach at a power school as well
as at the mid major level.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
Is even see some of the stats.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
Coming out right now, we're mid majors and some of
these LITW majors, they're not upsetting these these power teams anymore.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
What do you make of that, Well, I think there's
probably few of those being played as one thing. That's
you know, an argument you see from the mid majors,
and we experienced it a little bit, you know, you
just don't you know, some of the power five teams
aren't playing the mid majors, not necessarily because they don't
want to, because they really don't need to based on
they have these you know players era the mtes or
(02:49):
you know, where you used to get a lot of
these mid major to high major matchups. You're not getting
as many because now a lot of these empts are
all they're either all mid majors or they're all high
major power five type you know imte So that I
think that's played a big role in it. But I
think the biggest reason I think the amid matrix are
still great teams. I think you've got some teams that
(03:10):
are gonna make you know, can make some noise when
it comes to March, as we always see. But I
think the reason you're not seeing those typical upsets is
they're just not being played as much.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
Yeah, I think that's that's definitely a fair point. Well,
this is the Kentucky Basketball Podcast. They're one of the
blue bloods, and we got to see a blue blood matchup.
We're recording this the morning after the Kentucky North Carolina game,
and Travis, this comes in the midst of a gauntlet
of a non conference schedule for Mark Pope's side. You
you know, start the season with a couple of, you know,
(03:41):
lighter games. You lose to Louisville, you lose to Michigan
State up in Madison Square Garden, and there was a
lot of people that were starting to look at this
North Carolina game and I think I've even heard the
words must win game kind of thrown around. It feels
maybe a little early to be saying something like that,
But on today's episode, we're going to be recapping the
North Carolina game. We're also going to take a look
ahead to Friday night's matchup against Gonzagad down in Nashville.
(04:04):
And you know, as I said, we're recording this the
morning after, so we both had some time. We were
both up late last night watching this game to kind
of think about it. And you and I even talked
a little bit before we came on air today, and
I think one of the things that stood out to me,
to you and to many were just some of the
offensive struggles that Mark Pope's team dealt with in last
(04:25):
night's game. There was a stretch where they missed thirteen
consecutive shots over a ten minute period, did not have
a field goal during that stretch. And you know, I think, Travis,
one of the things that was most interesting about last
night's game was they made just won three And the
reason that's interesting is you don't expect that out of
a Mark Pope coach team. So when you look at
the offense last night, put on your coaching hat for me,
(04:47):
what did you see and what led to some of
the second half struggles?
Speaker 2 (04:51):
Well, first, go back and I talked a little bit
about you mentioned and I heard this too and saw
on social media must win game. I don't think that
was true at all. It had been obviously a great,
great win. And the reason I say it wasn't a
must win is because Kentucky has a lot of opportunities
to win big games, whether it's a lot of games
left in their non conference. You know, we've got a
big stretch coming up. But then once you hit sec play,
(05:14):
you got a chance to win a lot of big games.
So there's plenty of opportunities for Kentucky to make a
run in Kentucky to win big games. That's why I
didn't think it was a must win game. Really, what
I was looking forward to seeing is, you know, we
had a little bit of time between the Tennessee Tech
game to the North Carolina game. Kind of what you
know during that time because during Thanksgiving break, you get
(05:36):
to practice a lot, you get in the gym, you
get to watch a lot of film. It's a great
opportunity to get your team better while school is out
for a couple of days. And I thought Kentucky's team
did improve. I thought there was a lot of positives
in the game. First and four, I thought their defense
was incredible. I've said this before. I think they could
really Kentucky could really hang their hat on defense and
(05:58):
win games with their defense, and they almos did. I
thought they got back to creating turnovers to points, defense
leading to offense. They did quite a bit in the
first half, did a really good job of turning over
North Carolina to create some points. But their defense was
definitely good enough last night, and the energy was right,
and I thought the toughness was there. The defense was
(06:19):
good enough to win. I just thought that stretch offensively
was a little tough. I thought we took, you know,
some tough shots at some at the wrong times. There's
in basketball or anywhere, there's what's called time and score,
And we used to talk about it a lot when
I was coaching.
Speaker 4 (06:33):
Time and score.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
That means, know what, you know, what shot do we
need based on how much times left in the game
and what is your lead?
Speaker 4 (06:40):
And I thought we.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
Took a few difficult shots quickly that allowed North Carolina
to make it kind of run back when we got
up six or seven points. But I thought there was
a lot of positives that came out of the game.
You know, it stinks that we didn't win, and we
all want to win, but I thought we made a
step in the right direction defensively and win with that
defense for sure.
Speaker 3 (07:02):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
I mean, you look at just the stat line for
a guy like Caleb Wilson, who's kind of been dominating
college basketball early on this season, and they hold him
to five of nineteen. He has fifteen points, but a
majority of those come from the free throw line. And
I think watching the game last night, you talk about
the defense, and I think that the play of Marino
and Cam Williams and some of those guys against a
(07:24):
really good player in Caleb Wilson really did stand out.
Speaker 2 (07:28):
Yeah, no question, kayleb Wilson is a special, special talent.
And you know, North Carolina's got really good players. And
it was I thought a grinded out game. Again, I
thought both Kentucky and North Carolina really brought great energy.
Both of them played extremely hard. I think they're by
March rows around late February March. I think both teams
(07:48):
are going to be in the mix to go deep
in the NCAA tournament. You know, but you know, when
you're playing two really good basketball teams, two top twenty teams,
and when you're Kentucky, when you only make one three,
which is tough to win, when you only make one
three and you have nine, you know, nine turnovers to
eight assists, those are tough to overcome a little bit
(08:10):
against a really, really good North Carolina basketball team.
Speaker 4 (08:14):
But again, I'll go back.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
I just thought we did some really positive things defensively
that we can grow on and we're gonna need in
this stretch coming up.
Speaker 3 (08:24):
And I guess it's interesting.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
So as a coach, when you look at a game
like this, Travis, are you trending to go more towards
some of the positive things that you saw, knowing that
we've still got months of this season left.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
Oh yeah, absolutely. You kind of harp on both the
positives and the negatives when you're talking to your team
and watching film. You definitely show them the positives on
why we had a chance to win this game, and
these are the things that gave us a chance, But
here's are the things that hurt us, the positives and
negatives when you're watching film, And like I said earlier,
you know, there's so many opportunities left for Kentucky.
Speaker 4 (08:58):
This is the great thing.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
About their sched is you have a lot of opportunities it,
you know, and right now you know, not getting a
few of the results.
Speaker 4 (09:06):
But they will come.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
I truly believe they will come because I saw a
big difference between you know, the Michigan State Louisville game
into that game in North Carolina is in Kentucker on
that level of you know, of a top obviously a
top fifteen, top twenty. Both teams are so you know,
you take it down to the wire. You know, led
(09:28):
most of the second half, just didn't finish it off.
But I think it'll come. I think again, we get
a little bit better rebounding, We're gonna make more threes.
I believe that share the ball, get those high number
of assists, get the high assists, low turnover ratio, and
continue to play defense like they did, good things will happen.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
I thought it was interesting, and you and I touched
on this even before we jumped on But you know,
Mark Pope had some comments postgame yesterday regarding you know,
minute distribution in lineups, and you know, I thought it
was interesting. I'll just read the numbers. You know, you
look at four of the five starters play north of
thirty minutes. Marino had thirty one, Colin Chandler was at
thirty four, Denzel Aberdeen plays thirty five, Otega O Wait
(10:10):
plays thirty three.
Speaker 3 (10:11):
In that game, he said.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
Basically that he felt like maybe he needed to get
a little bit deeper into his bench. Obviously, injuries are
kind of hampering the depth of this team right now,
with Diabat unable to go and Jalen Lowe and obviously
Jayden Quainton's is still working his way back from that
ACL tear. But what do you make of those comments?
And as a coach, how do you approach, you know,
(10:35):
utilizing that bench in the best manner possible.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
Yeah, First, a Mark Pope knows this team way better
than I do or anybody else does. So he you know,
he knows that, he knows, you know, what players can play,
what minutes and things like that.
Speaker 3 (10:49):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
You know, I think depth is is, you know, always
has been a little bit of a strength on this team.
Speaker 4 (10:55):
It should be.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
But depth is only good if it's producing. You know,
you got to have those eight nine tenth guys that
are that are coming in off the bench. They've got
to be bringing positive minutes, you know, in order to
be able to play them those minutes to get the
starter's numbers, you know, minutes down a little bit. They've
got to get in there and produce, uh and have
positive minutes.
Speaker 4 (11:17):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
And whether that's rebounding, scoring, defense, whatever you're bringing to
the team. You know, depth is only good if it's
if it's producing. And I think he's looking for that.
I think, you know, Noah, I think is still maybe
a little hampered from his injury before. He didn't look
like quite the same player as he was before his injury,
and I think he'll get back there. Cam Williams is
(11:39):
still looking for his shot. You know, his strength is
shooting the ball, and that's gonna come. All those things
are positives that you know there's you know it's still
in there.
Speaker 4 (11:48):
They're gonna come. Cam Williams is gonna make shots.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
Trendall's gonna get back to the playing the way he was,
and things like that, so that, you know, I think
that make a difference, and you've hit on it the
very first thing said injuries. You got three guys sitting
over there that are you know, twenty five to thirty
minute a game guys probably, So get guys healthy, get
some of those eight to nine ten guys, you know,
(12:11):
producing a little bit more, and I think Kentucky'd be
in great shape.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
You know, it's not very often we get a chance
to have one of the best point guards I think
in UK history. Join us on the Kentucky Basketball Podcast.
So I want to ask you just about the point
guard play and obviously Jalen Lowe's you know, injury looming
large here. Early on in the season. But what are
you seeing from these other guys, A Denzel Aberdeen, a
Colin Chandler, even a Jasper Johnson in the minutes that
they're getting at that position.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
Yeah, I think they're doing as good as job as
they can. And they, you know, Everything's probably not a
true point guard, you know, he's you know, Jasper Johnson's
probably not a true point guard. They can play it,
no question, they can handle the ball extremely well. They're
both very talented basketball players. Jalen Lowe's probably not a
typical point guard. You know, as we've you see on
(12:59):
TVLI they talk about the point guards going out of
basketball and everything starts from the NBA and works its
way down and you know, you got the Steph Curries
of the world who took the point guard position to
a scoring position more or less. And that's kind of
what Jayalen Lowe is. But and Aberdeen, even in Jasper Johnson,
they're more scoring guys. You saw last night North Carolina
(13:21):
had more of a true point guard. He really wasn't
searching shots at all ever, it felt like, but he
kind of ran his team a little bit and the
ball was in his hands all the time. But you
know Jaalen Lowe brings is not necessarily a point guard,
but mentality. It's a creative mentality where he makes everybody
(13:43):
around him better based on what he can do with
the ball in his hands, and really nobody else on
Kentucky really can do what he can do as far
as creating off the dribble and loosening up the defense
a little bit.
Speaker 4 (13:56):
For everybody else.
Speaker 2 (13:58):
It's such a dying weapon that he has that we
don't see right now from Kentucky, and we've seen it
when he plays.
Speaker 4 (14:05):
We see it immediately as soon as he gets in
the game.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
You see immediately what he brings offensively uh to Kentucky,
and that's you know, they're missing that for sure. But
you know, the point guard position, a lot of it
depends on what system coaches are running, uh And a
lot of coaches are running, you know, kind of similar
to Kentucky where they run a lot through their five
man So it's not your typical where the point guard.
(14:29):
When I played, where the point guard brought it up.
You called every play, you made sure everybody's in the
right position. You were the vocal guy, uh and every
you know, you had to be the extension of the coach.
You know, that's the typical point guard. There's still some
out there, not a bunch, but I think it you know,
kind of starts from the NBA and it works its
way down.
Speaker 3 (14:50):
You know.
Speaker 1 (14:50):
I think last thing to kind of put a bow
on this North Carolina game for me was I think
otega Oway played his best game of the year. I mean,
he goes out there and you know, puts up sixteen points,
has four rebounds. You see him getting to the rim
at a couple of steels, a couple of blocks. Obviously,
I think he has has struggled a little bit, and
you wonder, having missed as much time as he did
(15:11):
in you know, in the offseason due to that that
toe injury, how has that hampered him. But if Kentucky,
you know, wants to kind of maybe climb out of
some of the struggles here against some of these top teams,
I think they're gonna need more of otega Oway playing
at the level that we saw him play at last night.
Speaker 4 (15:27):
Yeah, I would agree.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
I thought always had a great mentality to start the game,
aggressive on both ends of the court, driving the basketball,
which he's great at, you know, really defended with some physicality.
I thought he played really hard. But yeah, I thought
he played really well. I thought, uh, Chandler played well.
I thought Marino in a big game against a really
talent North Carolina centers are they're big man, really talented.
(15:50):
We're going to see some more against Gonzaga. But I
thought Marino did a really good.
Speaker 4 (15:55):
Job, you know.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
So there was a lot, there was some a lot
of positives, you know, that came out of the game.
Compared to the Loville game, in probably Michigan State game.
I thought we definitely made a step in the right
direction and got plenty of opportunities coming up.
Speaker 3 (16:10):
Well.
Speaker 1 (16:10):
One of those opportunities coming up is a matchup with
Gonzaga looming on Friday night as Kentucky continues non conference play.
We'll get to that on the other side of this
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(16:56):
by NCUA. All right, let's get back to the show. Well,
let's talk about this matchup with Gonzaga that's coming up
a little bit later on this week on Friday night
down in Nashville. And you know, I think what's fascinating
about this matchup is you have a Kentucky team that
will have just played on Tuesday. You have a Gonzaga
team that by the time they suit it up on
(17:17):
Friday night, it will have been ten days since.
Speaker 3 (17:21):
They last took the court.
Speaker 1 (17:22):
And you know, Travis wo'ds so fascinating about that is
there's kind of a sour taste in Gonzaga's mouth because
that last game was against a Michigan team that beat
him by forty in the Players Era Championship. And you know,
that was such a tough game, and I don't think
it's a great representation of who Gonzaga is because how
often do you play, you know, three games in three days.
(17:43):
They take down Alabama, then they lose, you know, they
they beat Maryland and then ultimately you lose to Michigan.
Speaker 3 (17:49):
But this is gonna be a great game.
Speaker 1 (17:51):
It was last year out in Seattle, Kentucky wins it
in overtime. Jackson Robinson was really good. Andrew Carr in
that game as well, But like Graham played well for Gonzaga.
I wanted to ask you, Travis, before we even get
into this matchup. I did a little bit of digging,
and I know you and Mark View had some great
battles back in the day when you were the head
coach at Oklahoma State. The first couple maybe didn't go great.
(18:14):
The third one was an absolute barn burner in Stillwater.
But you know, Mark Few is one of the best
coaches in the country. He's you know, been to every
NCAA tournament since nineteen ninety nine as a former coach,
as someone who went up against him, what has stood
out to you about the career that he's had at Gonzaga.
Speaker 2 (18:33):
Yeah, well, Mark, you is definitely, without a question, was
going to go down as one of the great all
time college basketball coaches. Just a great, great coach, a
great person of knowing very well. I've got to be
around in quite a bit and knowing really well. And
we had I did have some battles with him, not
many of them didn't go very well. We had a
(18:54):
series at Oklahoma State where we played a series with him.
We went out to Spokane and they came to Stillwater,
and then we played them in the NCAA Tournament a
couple of times and different things like that. But the
thing about Mark you is the one word consistency. Year
in and year out. He's got Gonzaga at the very
top of the polls and they made deep runs in
(19:16):
the NCAA Tournament. And he does it without changing his
style a whole lot. Yeah, I mean how he plays.
It's they do what they do a lot of high low.
He always has good big men that can score down
low and big men that can go high low from
you know, from the top of the key to the
free throw line area. Always has good solid point guards.
(19:37):
But consistency. He's just really good, really great at what
they do. This Gonzaga team. You look at him, They've
played a very difficult schedule. You talk about that Michigan
game they got beat by forty. The game before that,
they beat Maryland by forty. Gonzaga did. And they've played
a very difficult schedule so far. They've played the Oklahomas,
(19:58):
the Creightons, the Arizona Dates, the Alabama's, the Michigans, you
name it. They've played on Maryland, it's They've played a
very difficult schedule, averaging almost ninety one points a game,
shooting fifty percent from the field. You know, this is
a very typical mark FU basketball team. Almost two to
one assistant turno racial nineteen assistant game to only eleven turnovers. Uh,
(20:23):
you know, very you know, playing right now almost ten
to eleven guys seventeen or more minutes. This is a
you know, what you normally see out of a Gonzaga team.
They're a not a good team, They're a great team.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
And I think what's so fascinating about this year's Gonzaga
team is just their experience. I you know, love to
get on Ken palm and I was looking this morning
ahead of talking about this, and they're the fourth most
experienced team in the country, only behind Indiana, who Kentucky's
going to face next week. And then an SMU team
and then Liberty, who's you know, one of the premier
teams at the mid major level right now. How do
(20:57):
you expect that experience to play out? And I think
the other thing that goes into that is this team
is playing nine players right now that are averaging over
sixteen minutes a game. So how do you expect the
experience in the minutes distribution to factor into this game
against Kentucky coming up on Friday.
Speaker 2 (21:13):
Well, experience matters, especially if it's proven experience, and that's
what Gonzaga has. Guys that have proven themselves at a
high level. You know, you look at you know, their
two leading scores, Huff and Graham. They've been in the
Gonzaga system for a couple of years now, and you know,
two talented big men. Again keep saying a Gonzaga typical
(21:34):
of Gonzaga basketball team, great big guys that understand how
to play, really work well together. He'll play both those
guys together a lot. But experience, you know, you can't
beat experience, especially if it's proven, and that's what Gonzaga
has and that's why they're so good.
Speaker 1 (21:53):
I feel like rebounding could be you know, a big
part of the story of this game coming up as well. Obviously,
we just talked about kentucky struggles in the rebounding department
against North Carolina, particular on the offensive glass, and when
you look at this Gonzaga team, they're a very good
rebounding team. They're averaging, you know, over fourteen offensive rebounds
per game. They're you know, both of these teams are
(22:14):
inside the top twenty and rebounding margin in the country
this season. So how important do you expect the battle
on the glass to be in terms of who ultimately
comes out on top of this game.
Speaker 4 (22:26):
It's going to be very important. It always is.
Speaker 2 (22:28):
And I think Kentucky's been a really good rebounding team
up until the North Carolina game, so I think they'll
bounce back and do well rebounding. You know, Gonzaga is
shooting almost fifty one percent from the field, so you know,
you got to hold them to one shot for sure.
You can't let them get two opportunities because the odds
of them scoring are very very high if they get
two chances at it. So I think rebounding always plays
(22:50):
a role in it. And I think you know, two
teams going into a neutral site. You know, Gonzaga likes
to run up and down. Kentucky likes to run up
and down. So you know, you to rebound the basketball
to have a chance to win.
Speaker 1 (23:02):
I mean, neutral site, but you gotta like Kentucky's chances
to maybe have a pro Kentucky crowd only being two
and a half hours away, right.
Speaker 2 (23:08):
I think it's pretty safe to say that we'll definitely
I'm gonna be there, so I'm looking forward to the game.
Speaker 3 (23:14):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (23:15):
But yeah, I definitely think you'll see a lot more
Wildcat blue than bulldog blue, that's for sure.
Speaker 1 (23:21):
You know, I wanted to get your perspective, and you
touched on this a little bit earlier on but you
look at the interior size for Gonzaga and guys like
Braydon Huff and Graham Ike six', ten six,', nine they're,
you know the two leading scorers right Now, for gonzaga
averaging over thirty points, per game over thirteen rebounds. Per
game as, a coach going into this matchup maybe with
(23:41):
a you know the thought Of, your kentucky how do
you go about defending two guys that caused so much
chaos down in.
Speaker 4 (23:48):
The, paint yeah it's gonna be a.
Speaker 2 (23:50):
Physical GAME it i don't think there's any way. Around
it that's just The way. Gonzaga plays unless the game
just really gets going up, and down it's gonna be
a very. PHYSICAL game I think kentucky's gonna have to
do a great job probably looking to double team the
post as much as. They can you, got, to really,
you know as Much as gonzaga is known for their high,
(24:12):
low action you've got to really pressure. The passer you
gotta either do one of. Two things either really overly
pressure the passer or you bought back way off and
help off in. The post, You Know, coach pope, You
know i'm sure they'll have a great scouting import, coming
in but it's gonna take, you know they're gonna play
those two big guys quite a. Bit together they're both very,
(24:33):
skilled inside but they're also skilled on the perimeter as
far as handling the ball and playing through their.
Speaker 4 (24:39):
Big guys they're.
Speaker 2 (24:40):
Very VERSATILE so i would definitely look at those matchups
And how kentucky combats playing against two. BIG guys i
don't know if they've never necessarily seen. That yet is
a big part of what could happen in, this GAME and.
Speaker 1 (24:54):
I have to imagine you'd be the first to say
that this is probably a challenging matchup for a Guy
Like Malachi moreno well going up against some experienced.
Speaker 3 (25:01):
Guys, inside yeah.
Speaker 2 (25:03):
No question uh two of the you know better big
guys in. The COUNTRY so i think it's a challenge.
FOR anybody I Think malaca Marino And brandon garrison come ready.
To play both those guys can compete. With, anybody uh
IT'S gonna i just gonna be. Those GUYS but i
don't Know if deobote is gonna be able to go.
Or not have, no idea but it sure would be
(25:24):
good to have his physicality in this Game. For kentucky
but it's gonna take a team Effort. Against gonzaga everybody's gonna,
you know when you start talking about guarding big, men
inside it's not always just your.
Speaker 4 (25:39):
Big men it's up to the guards to be.
Speaker 2 (25:41):
Able to dig down a little bit pressure the passers
so they can't make easy. Passes inside post defense starts
with the, Perimeter DEFENSE so I think Marino and garrison
will do. THEIR job i think it's gonna be up
to a lot of those other guys to Help.
Speaker 1 (25:55):
Out so outside, of that when you look at, This,
matchup travis what do you think some of the biggest
keys Are for kentucky if they want to come out
on Top over Gonzaga on.
Speaker 2 (26:04):
Friday, NIGHT well i think it starts, with defense because
you Can't let gonzaga go out and shoot fifty. One
percent you're gonna have to, hold them hopefully in the.
Low forties if you can get them to miss, some
shots you're gonna have a chance. To Win, but gonzaga,
you know they're always very they don't. Beat themselves, you
know very few marked few teams you normally don't. Beat
themselves and you see that with the high assist and.
(26:26):
Low turnovers you see it with high field. Goal percentages
they don't take a lot of. Difficult Shots if kentucky
can get them to miss some shots for some, tough
shots create, SOME turnovers i think we can score some Points,
against gonzaga then we'll have a great chance. To win
but you can't go out and let them score obviously
ninety points.
Speaker 4 (26:44):
And shoot fifty one percent from.
Speaker 1 (26:45):
The, field well suffice, to say gonna be a big
Game in Nashville on.
Speaker 3 (26:49):
Friday night if you have a chance to make it.
Speaker 1 (26:50):
Down there definitely worth doing That as kentucky tries to
pick up their first ranked win of the season against Eleventh.
Ranked gonzaga but before we let you guys, go today
we wanted to say one more quick thanks to OUR
Sponsor Uk Federal. Credit union this show would not be possible.
Without them next week On The Kentucky, Basketball podcast MICHELLE
and i will sit down with the current member Of
(27:12):
the kentucky men's basketball team on.
Speaker 3 (27:14):
The show you're not gonna want to.
Speaker 1 (27:15):
Miss that before you, head, out though here's one thing
that you can do. For us sign up for A
free UKs And all access subscription and get all The
best kentucky content in. One, place also make sure you've
subscribed on your favorite podcast app and leave us a
review if you enjoyed. Today's Show but travis just wanted
to say thanks for. Joining us really enjoyed having you.
(27:36):
On today always enjoy being. With, you noah thanks, a lot. Appreciate,
it well that's it. For Today I'm, Noah Frairie He's.
Travis ford that's a wrap on. Episode six we'll talk
to you.
Speaker 3 (27:45):
Next week
Well, welcome back to another episode of the Kentucky Basketball Podcast.
Excited to be joined by UK legend Travis Ford on
this week's episode, Travis, it's been a little while since
we've we've seen each other.
Speaker 4 (00:26):
How you doing doing great? Doing great?
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Good to see you again and enjoyed doing a couple
of games with you. We had a good time. Yeah,
but it has it's been a while, and a lot's
happened in college basketball since since we've seen each other.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
Yeah, And I kind of wanted to stick on that
theme here to begin today's episode. Obviously, you've been around
the college game for what feels like an eternity at
this point.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
But you know, when you, I know, you watch a
lot of games.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
You know, what are maybe some things that are standing
out to you early on in this college basketball season.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Yeah, you know, the thing I think that stands out
is all the good games that happened so far, you know,
And I think it starts with some of the exhibition games.
The new rule, the n C DOUBLEA is implemented that
allows you know, Division one teams to play each other.
We saw Kentucky playing Purdue, Kentucky playing Georgetown.
Speaker 4 (01:12):
I think that's really good for the game.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
It really starts getting people when college football so is
happening so much right now, and during that time, it
gives people kind of an introduction to college basketball starting.
I think that's a great move by the NC double
a Is to get those games going. But then you've
seen all these different mtes. The player era out in
Vegas has an incredible field, so you've seen I think
(01:37):
more high level games against top twenty five teams, I
think than we've ever seen. And then also I think
the freshman class is really maybe the best freshman class
in the history of college basketball as far as how
deep it is. But it's it's it's been a I think,
you know, there's some really good teams, some really great
(01:59):
teams out I think you've got, you know, ten, eleven, twelve,
fifteen teams that you could argue could win a national
title based on how they've played in this early kind
of season.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
Yeah, I think what's been interesting to me, and you know,
I think you could have some unique perspective on this.
You know, having coach at a power school as well
as at the mid major level.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
Is even see some of the stats.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
Coming out right now, we're mid majors and some of
these LITW majors, they're not upsetting these these power teams anymore.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
What do you make of that, Well, I think there's
probably few of those being played as one thing. That's
you know, an argument you see from the mid majors,
and we experienced it a little bit, you know, you
just don't you know, some of the power five teams
aren't playing the mid majors, not necessarily because they don't
want to, because they really don't need to based on
they have these you know players era the mtes or
(02:49):
you know, where you used to get a lot of
these mid major to high major matchups. You're not getting
as many because now a lot of these empts are
all they're either all mid majors or they're all high
major power five type you know imte So that I
think that's played a big role in it. But I
think the biggest reason I think the amid matrix are
still great teams. I think you've got some teams that
(03:10):
are gonna make you know, can make some noise when
it comes to March, as we always see. But I
think the reason you're not seeing those typical upsets is
they're just not being played as much.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
Yeah, I think that's that's definitely a fair point. Well,
this is the Kentucky Basketball Podcast. They're one of the
blue bloods, and we got to see a blue blood matchup.
We're recording this the morning after the Kentucky North Carolina game,
and Travis, this comes in the midst of a gauntlet
of a non conference schedule for Mark Pope's side. You
you know, start the season with a couple of, you know,
(03:41):
lighter games. You lose to Louisville, you lose to Michigan
State up in Madison Square Garden, and there was a
lot of people that were starting to look at this
North Carolina game and I think I've even heard the
words must win game kind of thrown around. It feels
maybe a little early to be saying something like that,
But on today's episode, we're going to be recapping the
North Carolina game. We're also going to take a look
ahead to Friday night's matchup against Gonzagad down in Nashville.
(04:04):
And you know, as I said, we're recording this the
morning after, so we both had some time. We were
both up late last night watching this game to kind
of think about it. And you and I even talked
a little bit before we came on air today, and
I think one of the things that stood out to me,
to you and to many were just some of the
offensive struggles that Mark Pope's team dealt with in last
(04:25):
night's game. There was a stretch where they missed thirteen
consecutive shots over a ten minute period, did not have
a field goal during that stretch. And you know, I think, Travis,
one of the things that was most interesting about last
night's game was they made just won three And the
reason that's interesting is you don't expect that out of
a Mark Pope coach team. So when you look at
the offense last night, put on your coaching hat for me,
(04:47):
what did you see and what led to some of
the second half struggles?
Speaker 2 (04:51):
Well, first, go back and I talked a little bit
about you mentioned and I heard this too and saw
on social media must win game. I don't think that
was true at all. It had been obviously a great,
great win. And the reason I say it wasn't a
must win is because Kentucky has a lot of opportunities
to win big games, whether it's a lot of games
left in their non conference. You know, we've got a
big stretch coming up. But then once you hit sec play,
(05:14):
you got a chance to win a lot of big games.
So there's plenty of opportunities for Kentucky to make a
run in Kentucky to win big games. That's why I
didn't think it was a must win game. Really, what
I was looking forward to seeing is, you know, we
had a little bit of time between the Tennessee Tech
game to the North Carolina game. Kind of what you
know during that time because during Thanksgiving break, you get
(05:36):
to practice a lot, you get in the gym, you
get to watch a lot of film. It's a great
opportunity to get your team better while school is out
for a couple of days. And I thought Kentucky's team
did improve. I thought there was a lot of positives
in the game. First and four, I thought their defense
was incredible. I've said this before. I think they could
really Kentucky could really hang their hat on defense and
(05:58):
win games with their defense, and they almos did. I
thought they got back to creating turnovers to points, defense
leading to offense. They did quite a bit in the
first half, did a really good job of turning over
North Carolina to create some points. But their defense was
definitely good enough last night, and the energy was right,
and I thought the toughness was there. The defense was
(06:19):
good enough to win. I just thought that stretch offensively
was a little tough. I thought we took, you know,
some tough shots at some at the wrong times. There's
in basketball or anywhere, there's what's called time and score,
And we used to talk about it a lot when
I was coaching.
Speaker 4 (06:33):
Time and score.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
That means, know what, you know, what shot do we
need based on how much times left in the game
and what is your lead?
Speaker 4 (06:40):
And I thought we.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
Took a few difficult shots quickly that allowed North Carolina
to make it kind of run back when we got
up six or seven points. But I thought there was
a lot of positives that came out of the game.
You know, it stinks that we didn't win, and we
all want to win, but I thought we made a
step in the right direction defensively and win with that
defense for sure.
Speaker 3 (07:02):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
I mean, you look at just the stat line for
a guy like Caleb Wilson, who's kind of been dominating
college basketball early on this season, and they hold him
to five of nineteen. He has fifteen points, but a
majority of those come from the free throw line. And
I think watching the game last night, you talk about
the defense, and I think that the play of Marino
and Cam Williams and some of those guys against a
(07:24):
really good player in Caleb Wilson really did stand out.
Speaker 2 (07:28):
Yeah, no question, kayleb Wilson is a special, special talent.
And you know, North Carolina's got really good players. And
it was I thought a grinded out game. Again, I
thought both Kentucky and North Carolina really brought great energy.
Both of them played extremely hard. I think they're by
March rows around late February March. I think both teams
(07:48):
are going to be in the mix to go deep
in the NCAA tournament. You know, but you know, when
you're playing two really good basketball teams, two top twenty teams,
and when you're Kentucky, when you only make one three,
which is tough to win, when you only make one
three and you have nine, you know, nine turnovers to
eight assists, those are tough to overcome a little bit
(08:10):
against a really, really good North Carolina basketball team.
Speaker 4 (08:14):
But again, I'll go back.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
I just thought we did some really positive things defensively
that we can grow on and we're gonna need in
this stretch coming up.
Speaker 3 (08:24):
And I guess it's interesting.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
So as a coach, when you look at a game
like this, Travis, are you trending to go more towards
some of the positive things that you saw, knowing that
we've still got months of this season left.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
Oh yeah, absolutely. You kind of harp on both the
positives and the negatives when you're talking to your team
and watching film. You definitely show them the positives on
why we had a chance to win this game, and
these are the things that gave us a chance, But
here's are the things that hurt us, the positives and
negatives when you're watching film, And like I said earlier,
you know, there's so many opportunities left for Kentucky.
Speaker 4 (08:58):
This is the great thing.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
About their sched is you have a lot of opportunities it,
you know, and right now you know, not getting a
few of the results.
Speaker 4 (09:06):
But they will come.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
I truly believe they will come because I saw a
big difference between you know, the Michigan State Louisville game
into that game in North Carolina is in Kentucker on
that level of you know, of a top obviously a
top fifteen, top twenty. Both teams are so you know,
you take it down to the wire. You know, led
(09:28):
most of the second half, just didn't finish it off.
But I think it'll come. I think again, we get
a little bit better rebounding, We're gonna make more threes.
I believe that share the ball, get those high number
of assists, get the high assists, low turnover ratio, and
continue to play defense like they did, good things will happen.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
I thought it was interesting, and you and I touched
on this even before we jumped on But you know,
Mark Pope had some comments postgame yesterday regarding you know,
minute distribution in lineups, and you know, I thought it
was interesting. I'll just read the numbers. You know, you
look at four of the five starters play north of
thirty minutes. Marino had thirty one, Colin Chandler was at
thirty four, Denzel Aberdeen plays thirty five, Otega O Wait
(10:10):
plays thirty three.
Speaker 3 (10:11):
In that game, he said.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
Basically that he felt like maybe he needed to get
a little bit deeper into his bench. Obviously, injuries are
kind of hampering the depth of this team right now,
with Diabat unable to go and Jalen Lowe and obviously
Jayden Quainton's is still working his way back from that
ACL tear. But what do you make of those comments?
And as a coach, how do you approach, you know,
(10:35):
utilizing that bench in the best manner possible.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
Yeah, First, a Mark Pope knows this team way better
than I do or anybody else does. So he you know,
he knows that, he knows, you know, what players can play,
what minutes and things like that.
Speaker 3 (10:49):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
You know, I think depth is is, you know, always
has been a little bit of a strength on this team.
Speaker 4 (10:55):
It should be.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
But depth is only good if it's producing. You know,
you got to have those eight nine tenth guys that
are that are coming in off the bench. They've got
to be bringing positive minutes, you know, in order to
be able to play them those minutes to get the
starter's numbers, you know, minutes down a little bit. They've
got to get in there and produce, uh and have
positive minutes.
Speaker 4 (11:17):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
And whether that's rebounding, scoring, defense, whatever you're bringing to
the team. You know, depth is only good if it's
if it's producing. And I think he's looking for that.
I think, you know, Noah, I think is still maybe
a little hampered from his injury before. He didn't look
like quite the same player as he was before his injury,
and I think he'll get back there. Cam Williams is
(11:39):
still looking for his shot. You know, his strength is
shooting the ball, and that's gonna come. All those things
are positives that you know there's you know it's still
in there.
Speaker 4 (11:48):
They're gonna come. Cam Williams is gonna make shots.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
Trendall's gonna get back to the playing the way he was,
and things like that, so that, you know, I think
that make a difference, and you've hit on it the
very first thing said injuries. You got three guys sitting
over there that are you know, twenty five to thirty
minute a game guys probably, So get guys healthy, get
some of those eight to nine ten guys, you know,
(12:11):
producing a little bit more, and I think Kentucky'd be
in great shape.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
You know, it's not very often we get a chance
to have one of the best point guards I think
in UK history. Join us on the Kentucky Basketball Podcast.
So I want to ask you just about the point
guard play and obviously Jalen Lowe's you know, injury looming
large here. Early on in the season. But what are
you seeing from these other guys, A Denzel Aberdeen, a
Colin Chandler, even a Jasper Johnson in the minutes that
they're getting at that position.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
Yeah, I think they're doing as good as job as
they can. And they, you know, Everything's probably not a
true point guard, you know, he's you know, Jasper Johnson's
probably not a true point guard. They can play it,
no question, they can handle the ball extremely well. They're
both very talented basketball players. Jalen Lowe's probably not a
typical point guard. You know, as we've you see on
(12:59):
TVLI they talk about the point guards going out of
basketball and everything starts from the NBA and works its
way down and you know, you got the Steph Curries
of the world who took the point guard position to
a scoring position more or less. And that's kind of
what Jayalen Lowe is. But and Aberdeen, even in Jasper Johnson,
they're more scoring guys. You saw last night North Carolina
(13:21):
had more of a true point guard. He really wasn't
searching shots at all ever, it felt like, but he
kind of ran his team a little bit and the
ball was in his hands all the time. But you
know Jaalen Lowe brings is not necessarily a point guard,
but mentality. It's a creative mentality where he makes everybody
(13:43):
around him better based on what he can do with
the ball in his hands, and really nobody else on
Kentucky really can do what he can do as far
as creating off the dribble and loosening up the defense
a little bit.
Speaker 4 (13:56):
For everybody else.
Speaker 2 (13:58):
It's such a dying weapon that he has that we
don't see right now from Kentucky, and we've seen it
when he plays.
Speaker 4 (14:05):
We see it immediately as soon as he gets in
the game.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
You see immediately what he brings offensively uh to Kentucky,
and that's you know, they're missing that for sure. But
you know, the point guard position, a lot of it
depends on what system coaches are running, uh And a
lot of coaches are running, you know, kind of similar
to Kentucky where they run a lot through their five
man So it's not your typical where the point guard.
(14:29):
When I played, where the point guard brought it up.
You called every play, you made sure everybody's in the
right position. You were the vocal guy, uh and every
you know, you had to be the extension of the coach.
You know, that's the typical point guard. There's still some
out there, not a bunch, but I think it you know,
kind of starts from the NBA and it works its
way down.
Speaker 3 (14:50):
You know.
Speaker 1 (14:50):
I think last thing to kind of put a bow
on this North Carolina game for me was I think
otega Oway played his best game of the year. I mean,
he goes out there and you know, puts up sixteen points,
has four rebounds. You see him getting to the rim
at a couple of steels, a couple of blocks. Obviously,
I think he has has struggled a little bit, and
you wonder, having missed as much time as he did
(15:11):
in you know, in the offseason due to that that
toe injury, how has that hampered him. But if Kentucky,
you know, wants to kind of maybe climb out of
some of the struggles here against some of these top teams,
I think they're gonna need more of otega Oway playing
at the level that we saw him play at last night.
Speaker 4 (15:27):
Yeah, I would agree.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
I thought always had a great mentality to start the game,
aggressive on both ends of the court, driving the basketball,
which he's great at, you know, really defended with some physicality.
I thought he played really hard. But yeah, I thought
he played really well. I thought, uh, Chandler played well.
I thought Marino in a big game against a really
talent North Carolina centers are they're big man, really talented.
(15:50):
We're going to see some more against Gonzaga. But I
thought Marino did a really good.
Speaker 4 (15:55):
Job, you know.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
So there was a lot, there was some a lot
of positives, you know, that came out of the game.
Compared to the Loville game, in probably Michigan State game.
I thought we definitely made a step in the right
direction and got plenty of opportunities coming up.
Speaker 3 (16:10):
Well.
Speaker 1 (16:10):
One of those opportunities coming up is a matchup with
Gonzaga looming on Friday night as Kentucky continues non conference play.
We'll get to that on the other side of this
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(16:56):
by NCUA. All right, let's get back to the show. Well,
let's talk about this matchup with Gonzaga that's coming up
a little bit later on this week on Friday night
down in Nashville. And you know, I think what's fascinating
about this matchup is you have a Kentucky team that
will have just played on Tuesday. You have a Gonzaga
team that by the time they suit it up on
(17:17):
Friday night, it will have been ten days since.
Speaker 3 (17:21):
They last took the court.
Speaker 1 (17:22):
And you know, Travis wo'ds so fascinating about that is
there's kind of a sour taste in Gonzaga's mouth because
that last game was against a Michigan team that beat
him by forty in the Players Era Championship. And you know,
that was such a tough game, and I don't think
it's a great representation of who Gonzaga is because how
often do you play, you know, three games in three days.
(17:43):
They take down Alabama, then they lose, you know, they
they beat Maryland and then ultimately you lose to Michigan.
Speaker 3 (17:49):
But this is gonna be a great game.
Speaker 1 (17:51):
It was last year out in Seattle, Kentucky wins it
in overtime. Jackson Robinson was really good. Andrew Carr in
that game as well, But like Graham played well for Gonzaga.
I wanted to ask you, Travis, before we even get
into this matchup. I did a little bit of digging,
and I know you and Mark View had some great
battles back in the day when you were the head
coach at Oklahoma State. The first couple maybe didn't go great.
(18:14):
The third one was an absolute barn burner in Stillwater.
But you know, Mark Few is one of the best
coaches in the country. He's you know, been to every
NCAA tournament since nineteen ninety nine as a former coach,
as someone who went up against him, what has stood
out to you about the career that he's had at Gonzaga.
Speaker 2 (18:33):
Yeah, well, Mark, you is definitely, without a question, was
going to go down as one of the great all
time college basketball coaches. Just a great, great coach, a
great person of knowing very well. I've got to be
around in quite a bit and knowing really well. And
we had I did have some battles with him, not
many of them didn't go very well. We had a
(18:54):
series at Oklahoma State where we played a series with him.
We went out to Spokane and they came to Stillwater,
and then we played them in the NCAA Tournament a
couple of times and different things like that. But the
thing about Mark you is the one word consistency. Year
in and year out. He's got Gonzaga at the very
top of the polls and they made deep runs in
(19:16):
the NCAA Tournament. And he does it without changing his
style a whole lot. Yeah, I mean how he plays.
It's they do what they do a lot of high low.
He always has good big men that can score down
low and big men that can go high low from
you know, from the top of the key to the
free throw line area. Always has good solid point guards.
(19:37):
But consistency. He's just really good, really great at what
they do. This Gonzaga team. You look at him, They've
played a very difficult schedule. You talk about that Michigan
game they got beat by forty. The game before that,
they beat Maryland by forty. Gonzaga did. And they've played
a very difficult schedule so far. They've played the Oklahomas,
(19:58):
the Creightons, the Arizona Dates, the Alabama's, the Michigans, you
name it. They've played on Maryland, it's They've played a
very difficult schedule, averaging almost ninety one points a game,
shooting fifty percent from the field. You know, this is
a very typical mark FU basketball team. Almost two to
one assistant turno racial nineteen assistant game to only eleven turnovers. Uh,
(20:23):
you know, very you know, playing right now almost ten
to eleven guys seventeen or more minutes. This is a
you know, what you normally see out of a Gonzaga team.
They're a not a good team, They're a great team.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
And I think what's so fascinating about this year's Gonzaga
team is just their experience. I you know, love to
get on Ken palm and I was looking this morning
ahead of talking about this, and they're the fourth most
experienced team in the country, only behind Indiana, who Kentucky's
going to face next week. And then an SMU team
and then Liberty, who's you know, one of the premier
teams at the mid major level right now. How do
(20:57):
you expect that experience to play out? And I think
the other thing that goes into that is this team
is playing nine players right now that are averaging over
sixteen minutes a game. So how do you expect the
experience in the minutes distribution to factor into this game
against Kentucky coming up on Friday.
Speaker 2 (21:13):
Well, experience matters, especially if it's proven experience, and that's
what Gonzaga has. Guys that have proven themselves at a
high level. You know, you look at you know, their
two leading scores, Huff and Graham. They've been in the
Gonzaga system for a couple of years now, and you know,
two talented big men. Again keep saying a Gonzaga typical
(21:34):
of Gonzaga basketball team, great big guys that understand how
to play, really work well together. He'll play both those
guys together a lot. But experience, you know, you can't
beat experience, especially if it's proven, and that's what Gonzaga
has and that's why they're so good.
Speaker 1 (21:53):
I feel like rebounding could be you know, a big
part of the story of this game coming up as well. Obviously,
we just talked about kentucky struggles in the rebounding department
against North Carolina, particular on the offensive glass, and when
you look at this Gonzaga team, they're a very good
rebounding team. They're averaging, you know, over fourteen offensive rebounds
per game. They're you know, both of these teams are
(22:14):
inside the top twenty and rebounding margin in the country
this season. So how important do you expect the battle
on the glass to be in terms of who ultimately
comes out on top of this game.
Speaker 4 (22:26):
It's going to be very important. It always is.
Speaker 2 (22:28):
And I think Kentucky's been a really good rebounding team
up until the North Carolina game, so I think they'll
bounce back and do well rebounding. You know, Gonzaga is
shooting almost fifty one percent from the field, so you know,
you got to hold them to one shot for sure.
You can't let them get two opportunities because the odds
of them scoring are very very high if they get
two chances at it. So I think rebounding always plays
(22:50):
a role in it. And I think you know, two
teams going into a neutral site. You know, Gonzaga likes
to run up and down. Kentucky likes to run up
and down. So you know, you to rebound the basketball
to have a chance to win.
Speaker 1 (23:02):
I mean, neutral site, but you gotta like Kentucky's chances
to maybe have a pro Kentucky crowd only being two
and a half hours away, right.
Speaker 2 (23:08):
I think it's pretty safe to say that we'll definitely
I'm gonna be there, so I'm looking forward to the game.
Speaker 3 (23:14):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (23:15):
But yeah, I definitely think you'll see a lot more
Wildcat blue than bulldog blue, that's for sure.
Speaker 1 (23:21):
You know, I wanted to get your perspective, and you
touched on this a little bit earlier on but you
look at the interior size for Gonzaga and guys like
Braydon Huff and Graham Ike six', ten six,', nine they're,
you know the two leading scorers right Now, for gonzaga
averaging over thirty points, per game over thirteen rebounds. Per
game as, a coach going into this matchup maybe with
(23:41):
a you know the thought Of, your kentucky how do
you go about defending two guys that caused so much
chaos down in.
Speaker 4 (23:48):
The, paint yeah it's gonna be a.
Speaker 2 (23:50):
Physical GAME it i don't think there's any way. Around
it that's just The way. Gonzaga plays unless the game
just really gets going up, and down it's gonna be
a very. PHYSICAL game I think kentucky's gonna have to
do a great job probably looking to double team the
post as much as. They can you, got, to really,
you know as Much as gonzaga is known for their high,
(24:12):
low action you've got to really pressure. The passer you
gotta either do one of. Two things either really overly
pressure the passer or you bought back way off and
help off in. The post, You Know, coach pope, You
know i'm sure they'll have a great scouting import, coming
in but it's gonna take, you know they're gonna play
those two big guys quite a. Bit together they're both very,
(24:33):
skilled inside but they're also skilled on the perimeter as
far as handling the ball and playing through their.
Speaker 4 (24:39):
Big guys they're.
Speaker 2 (24:40):
Very VERSATILE so i would definitely look at those matchups
And how kentucky combats playing against two. BIG guys i
don't know if they've never necessarily seen. That yet is
a big part of what could happen in, this GAME and.
Speaker 1 (24:54):
I have to imagine you'd be the first to say
that this is probably a challenging matchup for a Guy
Like Malachi moreno well going up against some experienced.
Speaker 3 (25:01):
Guys, inside yeah.
Speaker 2 (25:03):
No question uh two of the you know better big
guys in. The COUNTRY so i think it's a challenge.
FOR anybody I Think malaca Marino And brandon garrison come ready.
To play both those guys can compete. With, anybody uh
IT'S gonna i just gonna be. Those GUYS but i
don't Know if deobote is gonna be able to go.
Or not have, no idea but it sure would be
(25:24):
good to have his physicality in this Game. For kentucky
but it's gonna take a team Effort. Against gonzaga everybody's gonna,
you know when you start talking about guarding big, men
inside it's not always just your.
Speaker 4 (25:39):
Big men it's up to the guards to be.
Speaker 2 (25:41):
Able to dig down a little bit pressure the passers
so they can't make easy. Passes inside post defense starts
with the, Perimeter DEFENSE so I think Marino and garrison
will do. THEIR job i think it's gonna be up
to a lot of those other guys to Help.
Speaker 1 (25:55):
Out so outside, of that when you look at, This,
matchup travis what do you think some of the biggest
keys Are for kentucky if they want to come out
on Top over Gonzaga on.
Speaker 2 (26:04):
Friday, NIGHT well i think it starts, with defense because
you Can't let gonzaga go out and shoot fifty. One
percent you're gonna have to, hold them hopefully in the.
Low forties if you can get them to miss, some
shots you're gonna have a chance. To Win, but gonzaga,
you know they're always very they don't. Beat themselves, you
know very few marked few teams you normally don't. Beat
themselves and you see that with the high assist and.
(26:26):
Low turnovers you see it with high field. Goal percentages
they don't take a lot of. Difficult Shots if kentucky
can get them to miss some shots for some, tough
shots create, SOME turnovers i think we can score some Points,
against gonzaga then we'll have a great chance. To win
but you can't go out and let them score obviously
ninety points.
Speaker 4 (26:44):
And shoot fifty one percent from.
Speaker 1 (26:45):
The, field well suffice, to say gonna be a big
Game in Nashville on.
Speaker 3 (26:49):
Friday night if you have a chance to make it.
Speaker 1 (26:50):
Down there definitely worth doing That as kentucky tries to
pick up their first ranked win of the season against Eleventh.
Ranked gonzaga but before we let you guys, go today
we wanted to say one more quick thanks to OUR
Sponsor Uk Federal. Credit union this show would not be possible.
Without them next week On The Kentucky, Basketball podcast MICHELLE
and i will sit down with the current member Of
(27:12):
the kentucky men's basketball team on.
Speaker 3 (27:14):
The show you're not gonna want to.
Speaker 1 (27:15):
Miss that before you, head, out though here's one thing
that you can do. For us sign up for A
free UKs And all access subscription and get all The
best kentucky content in. One, place also make sure you've
subscribed on your favorite podcast app and leave us a
review if you enjoyed. Today's Show but travis just wanted
to say thanks for. Joining us really enjoyed having you.
(27:36):
On today always enjoy being. With, you noah thanks, a lot. Appreciate,
it well that's it. For Today I'm, Noah Frairie He's.
Travis ford that's a wrap on. Episode six we'll talk
to you.
Speaker 3 (27:45):
Next week
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