The full-court press is returning to UK Hoops

LEXINGTON, KY (WTVQ)- It’s been the missing tool in UK’s defense the past two season, but now it’s finally returning. The full-court press has been revived.

The defensive-staple of a Mathew Mitchell coached team hasn’t been able to use it due to depth purposes, but now there’s enough depth to bring it back.

At Tuesday’s Media Days Mitchell said it’s not where it needs to be, but with the kind of three point shooting and versatility on the roster, it could be an exciting team to watch this season.

“It’s alive and kicking. I shouldn’t say alive and well yet, because it doesn’t look too great right now, but we’re committed to it. It fits our personnel, said Mitchell. “We don’t have any 6-5 or 6-6 players, so we don’t have a big, big front court presence, but we do have size across the board. We have several players, who are athletic, fast, explosive in that 6-1 to 6-3 range that can really move.”

While the Wildcats missed the NCAA Tournament last season, it isn’t being used in practice as a motivator. Instead, the expectation is to return to the field of 64.

Meanwhile, one cat did receive a nation accolade Tuesday. Senior Maci Morris was named to the Amy Meyers Drysdale Award Watchlist.

The award is given out to the top shooting guard in the country.

Last season, Morris averaged 17.3 points per game, while finishing second in the country in three-point shooting percentage at a 48-percent clip. That lights-out shooting was also a school record.