WILDCATS

UK platoons smothering opponents in 2nd half

Kyle Tucker

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Where will the University of Kentucky basketball team's two-platoon system hurt opponents most? The top-ranked Wildcats' first three games would suggest it'll be the second half.

UK (3-0) has outscored opponents 114-55 after halftime, thanks largely to devastating defense. Teams are shooting just 24.2 percent — and only 4 of 21 from 3-point range — against the Cats in the second half.

"You can see where you do start to get in their legs," said assistant John Robic, who stood in for head coach John Calipari to preview Friday's home game against Boston University. "With our length and our athletic ability, there's no reason why we can't be a really good defensive team.

"Size with athleticism equals — it could be a problem for an opponent."

So far, it has been. Kentucky ranks second nationally in blocks per game (9.3) and opposing two-point field-goal percentage (25.9) and first in stat guru Ken Pomeroy's adjusted defensive efficiency.

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Teams have enjoyed moderate success offensively in the first half against the Cats, hitting 10 of 21 3-point tries to hang around. But then when UK clamps down, it gets ugly. The last two opponents, Buffalo and fifth-ranked Kansas, combined to shoot 16.7 percent overall, 0 for 12 from three, and cough up 16 turnovers after the break.

The Bulls went nearly the final 10:45 without a made field goal before making a layup with four seconds left. The Jayhawks missed their final 14 shots over the last 12:30 on Tuesday night.

"No matter how bad we shot the first half," KU coach Bill Self said, "we proved that we could actually shoot it a hell of a lot worse the second."

The Wildcats had a lot to do with that. Thanks to the platoon system — 10 guys playing only about half a game — fresh defenders can go all out in bursts of three to five minutes at a time.

"I think that's a big factor," guard Aaron Harrison said. "It's definitely to our advantage to have a lot of guys that come out playing, and we take pride in defense and wearing people down. I think it's working."

The other reason for Kentucky's second-half success — 3-point defense — will be tested tonight. The Terriers (1-1) are shooting 42.5 percent beyond the arc this season. Self said after his team's failure against the Cats that it will take a team that can hit from the perimeter to knock them off.

UK coaches and players have focused their attention accordingly.

"I feel like that's the way a team can beat us," point guard Andrew Harrison said. "We have to get out on them and make them drive, shoot hard 2s, tough 2s. I don't think we put that much emphasis on it last year. We didn't really think about it. We didn't think about help each other as much as we are this year."

Speaking of help, the guards can be as aggressive as they want on the outside, knowing that the Cats' towering post players are there to turn away anyone who gets into the paint. Kentucky has actually blocked fewer shots in the second half than in the first this season, largely because opponents eventually give up trying inside.

"I know how they feel because I practice with these guys every day," Aaron Harrison said. "It's really hard to get a shot off in the lane. I just think you have to hit a lot of 3s to be able to beat us."

Five Wildcats, all 6-foot-8 or taller, have at least four blocks this season, including six by 7-footer Willie Cauley-Stein and seven by 6-11 freshman Karl-Anthony Towns. Like his twin brother, Andrew Harrison almost feels sorry for the other team trying to score over that.

"People don't understand," he said. "Just to drive to the lane is a struggle. I mean, I'm glad they're on my team, all the big men that we have."

Kyle Tucker can be reached at (502) 582-4361. Follow him on Twitter @KyleTucker_CJ.