Auburn Basketball: 2018-19 keys to beating Kentucky at home

LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 21: Bryce Brown #2 and Malik Dunbar #4 of the Auburn Tigers flex after Brown scored during the second half of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 21, 2018 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /

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SAN DIEGO, CA – MARCH 16: Mustapha Heron #5 and Chuma Okeke #4 of the Auburn Tigers defend the net against Joe Chealey #13 of the Charleston Cougars in the first half in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena on March 16, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images) /

3. Auburn must play tough interior defense

One last key for Auburn in protecting their home floor against Kentucky will be how well they can protect the lane against the Wildcats. I say protect the lane for two reasons, first, the three-point shot isn’t as much of a factor in the Kentucky offense as it has been in previous seasons for John Calipari. The Wildcats make just six per game which ranks 310th, secondly, that’s a good thing for Auburn because the Tigers defend the three at just a 34.9% rate.

So, a lot of the Kentucky offense should come inside the arc, which means Auburn will have to let their 41% field-goal percentage defense, as well as their six blocked shots per game, which is the 4th best number in the sport really shine through. Another key to protecting the lane will Auburn’s ability to create steals, but being able to do so without fouling because Kentucky shoots 75% from the line and are a top-60 team in both free throw attempts (382) and makes (288) on the season.

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On the defensive end, once the ball gets inside the three-point line, making Kentucky take contested shots and meeting any Wildcat at the rim, will be key in slowing down the Wildcats’ offense.

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