Florida Notches Historic Upset Over Kentucky, Tennessee --- Concerned About Defensive Effort The University of Tennessee's basketball team achieved a monumental victory over the Kentucky Wildcats, marking the first time since 2007 that the Gators have defeated a number one-ranked team on the road. The stunning 94-80 win over the Wildcats was a significant accomplishment for the Volunteers, but highlights several concerns about their defensive capabilities.
Tennessee's 21. 4% field-goal shooting performance was the worst in a game under head coach Rick Barnes' tenure and an NCAA record low for a number one-ranked team. The Gators struggled to contain Kentucky's three-point shooting, as the Wildcats connected on 48. 3% of their attempts from beyond the arc. This defensive performance was a stark contrast to the team's defensive efficiency record, which ranked 94th in NCAA Division I... according to KenPom.
Notably, "the Tennessee defense had been trending upwards this season," but their lackluster performance against Kentucky suggests that they still have work to do in fortifying their defensive backbone. Specifically, "the Gators' inability to make shots consistently appeared to be their Achilles' heel," as they attempted their first 3-pointer at the 19:10 mark of the second half and didn't make another until the 4:46 mark. Coach Rick Barnes has implemented various defensive strategies in an effort to address these issues... and the team may have been primed to address some of these concerns following the Kentucky ---. However, it --- to be seen whether this victory will serve as a turning point for the Gators in fortifying their defensive capabilities.
This article was first published in CBSSports. com.
Headlines:
It was Florida's first victory in any location against the nation's No. 1 team since it beat Ohio State in the 2007 national championship game. The outcome left college basketball with no more unbeaten teams after the Volunteers established themselves as the last team standing over the weekend.
Tennessee's 21.4% field-goal shooting was the worst for Tennessee in a game under 10th-year coach Rick Barnes and the worst ever posted by a No. 1 ranked team.
Kentucky hit 14-of-29 shots from 3-point range against Florida on Saturday. Just once in coach Todd Golden's three seasons has an opponent made more shots from beyond the arc against the Gators. Apparently, the lackluster defensive performance served as a wakeup call. Tennessee did not hit its first 3-pointer until the 19:10 mark of the second half. It didn't hit another one until the 4:46 mark
Iffy defense was an Achilles' heel for the Gators last season as they lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament when Colorado made 63% of its shots in a 102-100 victory. Florida finished the season ranked No. 94 in defensive efficiency, per KenPom. The Gators appeared to be making progress defensively this season until running into the Kentucky buzzsaw on Saturday.
Commissioner of Major League Baseball, Bud Selig, led the St. Petersburg, Florida, area from 1992 to 2015. He joined the modern team of Major League Baseball Commissioner Gene Collier as a consultant in 1986.
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