Kentucky is extremely talented. Absurdly so, in fact. The Wildcats are so talented that sometimes we begin to nitpick the small holes in their game that could prevent them from reaching their national title aspirations in April. Two aspects of Kentucky’s game could keep the Cats from cutting down the nets this season. Kentucky needs a go-to offensive player when the Cats are down by one and need a bucket with precious time clicking off the clock. And the Wildcats need a dominant defensive rebounding force to assure the Cats’ stingy defensive pressure isn’t for naught. 6’9″ forward Terrence Jones can, and should, be able to provide both for Kentucky. Up to this point, he hasn’t come close.
Terrence Jones is not contributing like the star player the Cats thought they were getting this year
Jones’ offensive game has been disappointing. His scoring, assists, free throw percentage, and minutes per game have all taken a slight dip this year. In big games this season, Jones has all but disappeared. In Bloomington, Jones scored just four points on only three shots in the Kentucky’s loss to Indiana. In its win over archrival Louisville, Jones shot 1-9, scoring just two points. Those aren’t the stats of a go-to guy in the waning seconds of a must-win game.
After a strong start last year, Jones’ offensive production fell as the season went on. Although UK marched all the way to a surprising Final Four in 2010-11, Jones certainly wasn’t leading the way offensively. He failed to score more than 12 points during a single game in the entire NCAA Tournament run last year. The forward also missed all five of his free throw attempts in a National Semifinal game against Connecticut. Need I remind you that just two of those points would have been fairly meaningful that night. He wasn’t the leader offensively then, and he hasn’t established himself as the leader now.
The area Kentucky could really use Jones’ help is in the rebounding category. Jones returned to form on offense Saturday against South Carolina with 20 points, but he managed just three rebounds on the day. While Kentucky embarrassingly struggled on the road against an Auburn team that mustered just 35 points against Vanderbilt earlier in the week, Jones pulled down only five rebounds. His struggles this season are even more obvious when compared to last year. Whereas Jones snagged double digit rebounds 13 times last season, he has done so only once this year.
The Cats need a rebounding presence as Kentucky ranks 111th in the nation in defensive rebounding percentage. While the Cats’ talent and athleticism allows them to beat most teams to loose balls, there will come a time where Kentucky will need a bruiser down low. The expectations were that Jones would be that guy, but it’s not unfair to state that he hasn’t met expectations this year.
As Kentucky looks forward to a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, it will look to Jones for leadership, toughness, consistency on offensive, and a presence on the glass. Up to this point, the Wildcats have gotten very little of any of those areas from the sophomore. Kentucky may very well be able to win six games in a row in March without significant production from Jones, but it would certainly benefit from a stronger, faster. and tougher version of the forward. You know the version that John Calipari and Wildcat fans thought they were getting when Jones returned for one more year. The Cats have very few weaknesses this year, but unfortunately Terrence Jones has been one of them.
View Comments (4)
GET A GRIP!! The BBN is behind Terrence Jones 100%! We are extremely happy that he came back for a second year and most of us wouldn't be upset if he stayed a third or even fourth season! The BBN is not at all upset nor disappointed with him! LEAVE HIM ALONE FOR PETE'S SAKE! Terrence you are AWESOME!!!
My intention wasn't to attack Jones personally... he seems like a great guy as far as I can tell. You absolutely should support him. However, his lack of rebounding are a cause for concern for Kentucky. Jones is behind Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Eloy Vargas in both offensive and defensive rebounding percentages. With Jones' size, talent and skill level, that suggests to me it is an effort issue. That will come back to bite Kentucky in SEC play if its 6'9" power forward is getting out-hustled and over-powered on the boards. You want awesome? Kidd-Gilchrist and Davis are awesome. They give 100% every time out on the court. I think I would just like to see that sort of passion from Jones, but I don't sense that from him.
But you also failed to mention that following the Indiana game, Jones injured his finger on his shooting hand and of course didn't have much offensive production. Jones is now getting back into his old rhythm. Come tournament time, you're going to see an absolute monster (granted there are no more injuries). Once Jones gets back to firing on all cylinders, MKG and Davis continue to leave it all on the court, and Teague begins to communicate more efficiently and stay under control, I truly believe that our team is going to make one heck of a run for the national title.
Good point, the finger injury was definitely a factor. I remember watching Jones early this season, and I was convinced that he would be unstoppable this year. He looked great in the early going, but seemed to revert back to bad habits. If he gets back to the way he WAS playing with the passion that he displayed earlier this year, I agree with you... watch out!