Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari knows the blueprint to defeating his Wildcats, and it’s not a zone defense.
The Wildcats lost for the second time in 29 games Saturday, dropping a 74-65 decision at Tennessee. Calipari was asked Monday about the zone used by the Volunteers in Knoxville, and he said it was the same one Kentucky faced Feb. 13 during its 73-62 win over Tennessee in Lexington.
Kentucky missed 20 of 22 3-point attempts Saturday.
“What I was proud of was shooting 2-for-22 from the 3, and it’s on the road, and it’s 65-65 with two minutes to go. Incredible,” Calipari said. “The way they played, where they held the ball, gave us a chance. That’s how we stayed in the game.
“It’s funny, because everybody has the ‘This is how you play them.’ Yeah, you hold your nose and close your eyes and hope we can’t make any shots. Yeah, that’s a good way to play. If we make shots — if we go 5-for-22, which stinks — we win going away.”