UK By the Numbers – 12/21

It was finals week at the University of Kentucky, so we only got to watch the ‘Cats one time this week, as they took down Austin Peay 90-69. UK had a bit of trouble jumping right back into action after their longest break of the season on Saturday, but they won’t have a chance to gather any rust in the coming days, because UK plays on Monday and Wednesday.

UK figures to remain at number three in the country with Kansas and Texas both passing tests this weekend, but the ‘Cats are now one of just eight unbeaten teams left in Division I.

The Race to 2,000

With win number 1,999, UK is just a win over Drexel on Monday away from becoming the first team in Division I basketball history to win 2,000 games. The ‘Cats will likely be around 20 point favorites, so make sure you save your tickets if you’re lucky enough to be in attendance for tomorrow’s game.

Individual Stats

John Wall – 18.0 points per game (t-58th nationally)
7.0 assists per game (2nd nationally)
2.6 steals per game (21st nationally)

Patrick Patterson – 17.2 points per game (t-73rd nationally)
9.6 rebounds per game (39th nationally)
62.5 field goal % (17th nationally)

DeMarcus Cousins – 2.0 blocks per game (t-47th nationally)

RPI

The ‘Cats are all the way up to 17th in the nation in the RPI. Believe it or not, Austin Peay is the second best RPI of the win for the ‘Cats, as they are currently 49th in the country. They will also have another opportunity to boost their RPI with a win over Long Beach State, who is currently ranked 28th.

Ken Pomeroy

Pomeroy’s ratings got some attention this week from UK fans since they had the ‘Cats lower ranked than was acceptable for ‘Cats fans. I saw some people dismissing the rankings as just another dumb set of computer ratings, without really even bothering to understand them.

Does anyone really believe that the ‘Cats are the 42nd best team in the nation, as Pomeroy suggests? No. I’ve said it before, but these rankings don’t capture grittiness or a will to win, two things that UK has in spades. What it does capture is offensive and defensive efficiency, two things that the ‘Cats have lacked for long stretches all year.

Pomeroy rates UK as the 31st best offense in the land and the 81st best defense. UK is really good at a few things, namely offensive rebounding (first in the country), FG% offense (20th), and allowing trips to the foul line on offense (38th). However, UK is really bad in the turnover department on both ends. If UK is going to reach its potential, they must turn up the ball pressure and refine their decision making.

Don’t look at KenPom’s ratings as some grumpy computer out to get the ‘Cats. Instead, look at them as a road map to what it’s going to take for UK to improve.