Texas at Kentucky: 2020-21 storylines for Big 12/SEC Challenge matchup

Askew and Mintz limiting turnovers

There is no pondering about just how important the Longhorns’ defensive effort is to their success. The stats speak for themselves as they have three players in the top 10 of the Big 12’s Defensive Rating, as well as, average the most steals per game while forcing the second-most turnovers in the Big 12. All that is more impressive when you remember that Baylor is also in the Big 12.

While piling up their 5-1 Big 12 record, the Longhorns have failed to force their opponents into double-digit turnovers just twice. The lowest total was versus Texas Tech in a 79-77 loss when they forced the Red Raiders into just seven turnovers.

The storyline versus the Wildcats will be how uncomfortable can they make Wildcats’ back-court which consists of freshman Devin Askew and grad transfer Davion Mintz. The Wildcats backcourt averages five-and-a-half turnovers per game, a stat the Longhorns need to exploit.

The three-guard front that Coach Smart has been utilizing will likely result in 6’4 Andrew Jones matching up with the Wildcats’ 6’7 Boston as senior Matt Coleman and junior Courtney Ramey are tasked with shutting down the backcourt of the Wildcats.

The key match-up and the storyline to watch develop coming out of the backcourt will be how Askew is able to protect the ball versus Coleman who averages over a steal per game, is ninth in the conference in defensive plus/minus while leading the Longhorns in defensive win shares. The outcome of the game could very well be decided within the storyline at the point guard position.