UK Logo (Terah Hatton) |
LEXINGTON — Learning to play defense didn’t come easy for Kentucky freshman Terrence Jones.
As the regular-season draws to a close, Jones likes the way the entire Kentucky team has progressed as a unit on the defensive end of the court since the season began.
“That’s what coach (Calipari) has always talked about, is that we need to become a defensive team,” he said. “We’ve got (offensive) skills, but mainly how we’re going to win games is by defending and stopping the other team. It leads to easier points and (more fast) breaks. We are starting to talk on defense.”
Jones, who was named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week after averaging 18 points, 11 rebounds and four assists in the team’s two victories last week against Mississippi State and South Carolina, cited the team’s improvement on the defensive end as a big reason behind the Cats’ successful performance in a 90-59 rout over the Gamecocks last weekend at Rupp Arena.
“Mainly what was impressive is how well we defended,” he said. “We worked on (defense) all week in practice and we just really executed (Saturday), when it came to stopping the pick-and-roll and helping (on defense). If we keep listening to the coaches and going out there on the floor and doing it, it should be easy.”
Although Kentucky has endured its share of ups and downs this season, Jones said the Wildcats are starting to come together as a unit on both sides of the floor.
“Everyone is trusting one another and everybody (has) everyone’s back,” he said.
Jones likes the way freshman sidekick Brandon Knight is running the team. Knight had nine assists in the team’s last outing.
“He’s really just trying to get everybody involved,” Jones said. “He’s helping bring the energy and he’s defending, which is really what he’s improved on.”
Jones hopes the Cats can get over the proverbial hump on the road when the Wildcats take on Arkansas in Fayetteville Wednesday night. All five of the team’s setbacks in the Southeastern Conference have occurred on the road.
“I’m not even looking at it as a road game,” Jones said. “I’m just saying we’re on the right track right now with how we’re defending and how we’re executing right now. We’re just trying to keep rolling.”
Jones added that the Cats can build on the performance they had in the double-digit rout over the Gamecocks last weekend.
“That’s what it comes down to, building off (the win over South Carolina),” he said. “It’s very important (to get a win at Arkansas). We don’t want to lose another game. We feel like we gave up a lot of them. The way we are playing right now is so good. We need to continue it.”
As the regular-season draws to a close, Jones likes the way the entire Kentucky team has progressed as a unit on the defensive end of the court since the season began.
“That’s what coach (Calipari) has always talked about, is that we need to become a defensive team,” he said. “We’ve got (offensive) skills, but mainly how we’re going to win games is by defending and stopping the other team. It leads to easier points and (more fast) breaks. We are starting to talk on defense.”
Jones, who was named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week after averaging 18 points, 11 rebounds and four assists in the team’s two victories last week against Mississippi State and South Carolina, cited the team’s improvement on the defensive end as a big reason behind the Cats’ successful performance in a 90-59 rout over the Gamecocks last weekend at Rupp Arena.
“Mainly what was impressive is how well we defended,” he said. “We worked on (defense) all week in practice and we just really executed (Saturday), when it came to stopping the pick-and-roll and helping (on defense). If we keep listening to the coaches and going out there on the floor and doing it, it should be easy.”
Although Kentucky has endured its share of ups and downs this season, Jones said the Wildcats are starting to come together as a unit on both sides of the floor.
“Everyone is trusting one another and everybody (has) everyone’s back,” he said.
Jones likes the way freshman sidekick Brandon Knight is running the team. Knight had nine assists in the team’s last outing.
“He’s really just trying to get everybody involved,” Jones said. “He’s helping bring the energy and he’s defending, which is really what he’s improved on.”
Jones hopes the Cats can get over the proverbial hump on the road when the Wildcats take on Arkansas in Fayetteville Wednesday night. All five of the team’s setbacks in the Southeastern Conference have occurred on the road.
“I’m not even looking at it as a road game,” Jones said. “I’m just saying we’re on the right track right now with how we’re defending and how we’re executing right now. We’re just trying to keep rolling.”
Jones added that the Cats can build on the performance they had in the double-digit rout over the Gamecocks last weekend.
“That’s what it comes down to, building off (the win over South Carolina),” he said. “It’s very important (to get a win at Arkansas). We don’t want to lose another game. We feel like we gave up a lot of them. The way we are playing right now is so good. We need to continue it.”
