Kentucky's Last Possession

What exactly was Kentucky trying to accomplish on its last meaningful possession? The Wildcats were down two with under 20 seconds to play after forcing a turnover on the defensive end (and why wasn't the ball in Kemba Walker's hands at that point?).

Coming out of a timeout, Kentucky ended up getting a contested 3-pointer from DeAndre Liggins that fell short just like UK's chances for a championship.

The set Coach Calipari set up out of the timeout was, to be kind, unimaginative. Everyone knew the ball would be in the hands of Brandon Knight who has been the most clutch performer for Kentucky all year (ask Ohio State and Princeton).

What came next was baffling - a ball screen from Josh Harrellson? UConn paid Harrellson no attention on his roll to the basket, knowing the offensively limited senior wasn't getting the ball in that situation (and Knight completely ignored his roll to the basket).

Ignoring his man Harrellson's meaningless roll to the basket,  UConn's 7-foot Charles Okwandu sealed off the paint from a Knight drive by basically zoning the basket from the free throw line. If Knight wanted to penetrate, he was basically double-teamed after the ball screen. That meant he had to dish the ball to Liggins who decided to rush a long shot instead of trying to create something for himself off the bounce.

I can defend Coach Cal's unimaginative post-timeout play with one glaring exception. The most important thing for Kentucky was to get a shot off - give yourselves a chance for a tie or a chance for an offensive rebound. If you draw up something too creative, you risk a busted play that results in no shot. If you go to a trusted set, you risk having your stuff scouted by the opposition and once again getting now shot. That is why so many teams turn to a clear out or simple pick and roll play.

I don't see any defense of the Harrellson ball screen. Knight would have been better off without any screen and just tried to take Walker one-on-one off the dribble. That would have prevented the Okwandu soft double.

Or you could screen with anyone else on the floor - Terrance Jones would have demanded attention on the roll either by his defender or by defensive rotation (opening up the floor for a pass or open drive). Or Liggins could have run a pick & pop play because his shot would need to be respected. Same with Doron Lamb.

The only play that doesn't make sense is the Harrellson screen and it just doesn't make sense because of the situation. Maybe Calipari trusted that Harrellson would deliver if he got the ball in that possession on his roll to the basket, but Knight clearly did not trust him because he didn't look at him. That turned UK's last possession into a panic situation and eventually sent the Kats home in what was a golden opportunity to get to the Finals.