KSR Postgame UK MBB vs Ohio State 12/21/24 - Detailed Summary

Release Date: December 22, 2024

Episode Overview

In the December 21st episode of KSR’s Postgame Show, hosts Doug Gottlieb and Billy delve deep into the University of Kentucky (UK) Wildcats' men's basketball (MBB) performance against Ohio State. The episode, aired on iHeartPodcasts and Sports Talk 790 (WKRD-AM), provides an in-depth analysis of the game held at Madison Square Garden, exploring the team's strategies, execution, and areas needing improvement. Additionally, the hosts engage with listeners through caller interactions, offering diverse perspectives on the Wildcats' current season trajectory.

Game Recap

The Wildcats faced a tough showdown against Ohio State, culminating in a significant loss with a final score of 85-65. Doug Gottlieb sets the tone by expressing his disappointment:

"Kentucky gets absolutely destroyed in Madison Square Garden. 85-65. It was a pretty brutal performance by the Cats and I don't know, not one that it's certainly the first dud of the Pope era."
(00:54)

Billy further elaborates on the abruptness of the defeat, highlighting the team’s struggles both offensively and defensively:

"Kentucky was really, really bad, both offensively and defensively. It was a complete meltdown."
(01:26)

Hosts' Analysis

Team Building and Expectations

Doug Gottlieb reflects on the team's construction under Coach Mark Pope, noting that initial expectations were high with the belief that the Wildcats were "one player short from being really good." However, the game against Ohio State raised concerns about the team's athleticism and adaptability against more physical opponents.

"There has been kind of a blueprint on how to play Kentucky now, really starting with Billy's Western Kentucky team all the way through Gonzaga and Clemson and now Louisville and this game, even Colgate."
(02:13)

Offensive and Defensive Breakdown

The hosts dissect the Wildcats' offensive woes, particularly their poor shooting performance—shooting only 28% from the field and 19% from three-point range:

"We didn't have one guy on the team shoot 50% from the field. Not one."
(11:48)

Defensively, Ohio State exploited Kentucky's vulnerabilities by effectively switching defenses and forcing layups, overwhelming the Wildcats' defensive setup.

"Ohio State shot 58% as a team, so... they're better than their 40 point loss to Auburn would show. But they are athletic and they are physical and that just seems to really give this group difficulty."
(21:02)

Strategic Adjustments and Future Outlook

Both hosts agree that strategic adjustments are crucial moving forward, especially as Kentucky prepares for SEC play. They emphasize the necessity for the team to develop systems that can counteract athletic and physical playstyles prevalent in the conference.

"We're going to have to out scheme these teams and tonight it just didn't happen."
(28:09)

Caller Highlights

Throughout the episode, various callers share their insights and frustrations, contributing to a multifaceted discussion on the Wildcats' performance.

Positive Support and Optimism

Caller Brian offers a balance of criticism and optimism, acknowledging the loss but maintaining faith in Coach Pope’s leadership:

"Listen, it's so. Well, I am pretty close to being over Jackson Robinson... I feel like Pope is going to do the best job he can do teaching these guys going forward."
(60:55)

Critiques on Player Performance

Another caller, Zeke, points out specific player decisions that may have contributed to the loss, such as Amari Williams' questionable shot choices:

"There is one thing about him, like, I feel like he's making some bad decisions. Like when we were down by nine, instead of like passing it out or doing something, he just drove in and like took a bad show."
(43:32)

Key Insights

1. Athleticism Deficit: A recurring theme is the Wildcats’ lack of athleticism compared to their opponents. This deficit hampers their ability to defend effectively against more physical teams in the SEC.

2. Shooting Efficiency: Kentucky's shooting woes are highlighted as a critical area needing improvement. Consistently low three-point percentages undermine their offensive potential.

3. Defensive Strategies: The need for strategic defensive adjustments is emphasized, with the current setup unable to contain athletic teams like Ohio State.

4. Team Depth and Rotation: The hosts discuss concerns regarding the team's depth, particularly when primary players are substituted, leading to significant scoring runs by opponents.

5. Coach Mark Pope’s Leadership: While the loss is disappointing, both hosts express confidence in Coach Pope's ability to navigate the team through these challenges and implement necessary changes moving forward.

Conclusions and Future Outlook

Despite the heavy loss to Ohio State, Doug and Billy maintain a cautiously optimistic outlook for the Wildcats. They acknowledge that while the team faces significant challenges, especially in adapting to the SEC's competitive landscape, there is hope for improvement. The upcoming game against Florida is poised to be a pivotal moment, testing the team's resilience and strategic adaptability.

"I have to be optimistic going forward. I feel that with this loss, Pope is going to do the best job he can do teaching these guys going forward."
(41:22)

The hosts conclude by reiterating the importance of refining offensive efficiency and developing robust defensive strategies to enhance the Wildcats' performance in future games.

Notable Quotes

• Doug Gottlieb (00:54): "Kentucky gets absolutely destroyed in Madison Square Garden. 85-65. It was a pretty brutal performance by the Cats and I don't know, not one that it's certainly the first dud of the Pope era."

• Billy (01:26): "Kentucky was really, really bad, both offensively and defensively. It was a complete meltdown."

• Doug Gottlieb (21:02): "I don't think we have, but I do think that's what we look like tonight. And you know, when Pope was hired, I went back and watched some of his BYU games because I had seen them play a couple of times."

• Billy (11:48): "We didn't have one guy on the team shoot 50% from the field. Not one. And Ohio State shot 58% as a team, so..."

• Brian (Caller) (60:55): "I'm still excited for what the future is going to be because I think. I feel like Pope is scheming. Maybe we didn't do good in this game, but I think he's trying to teach a lesson."

• Zeke (Caller) (43:32): "I feel like he's making some bad decisions. Like when we were down by nine, instead of like passing it out or doing something, he just drove in and like took a bad show."

Final Thoughts

The KSR Postgame Show effectively encapsulates the multifaceted challenges facing the University of Kentucky's basketball team this season. Through comprehensive game analysis, thoughtful critiques, and engaging listener interactions, Doug Gottlieb and Billy provide listeners with a nuanced understanding of the Wildcats' performance and prospects. While acknowledging the setbacks, the hosts emphasize the potential for growth and strategic improvements as the team navigates the demanding SEC play ahead.