As much as he would like to match the defensive efficiency of last year’s heralded 38-1 team, UK head coach John Calipari still has something to grin about when his players settle into their defensive stance. 

Now, of course, the UK defense this year does not compare to last season’s defense that finished first in opponent field goal percentage and scoring margin, second in blocked shots and 15^th in rebound margin.

But it’s beginning to claw at the idea that this year’s UK team has the ability to categorize its defense as ‘elite.’ 

In its last three games, UK has held opponents to shoot 36.8 percent from the field, 35.8 percent from three, it has forced 34 turnovers and outrebounded opponents 123-104. The Cats’ current spike in defensive production may be from their new winning mentality Calipari has engraved in them. 

“I keep telling them, ‘Refuse to lose,’” Calipari said. “Don’t have any thought other than not losing. That’s where I’m trying to get these guys.”

On Thursday, the Cats’ defense held an Arkansas team that led the Southeastern Conference in points per game (82.8) and three-point percentage (43.5) to just 66 points and 16.7 percent from behind the arc.

Then again on Saturday, UK hosted a Vanderbilt team that was riding a three-game winning steak and averaged nearly 80 points a game. The Commodores were held to 32 percent (16-of-50) from the field and 33 percent (5-of-15) from three in a 76-57 loss.

“That’s the best that anyone has played against us. (UK) was impressive today,” Vanderbilt head coach Kevin Stallings said. “I thought they were impressive the other night at Arkansas. Both ends were tough, hard, fast, aggressive and confident. That was good playing.”

Now 13-0 when holding opponents to less than 70 points, it’s clear the UK defense is trending up quickly. So quickly in fact, that there have been flashes that make it seem like UK’s defense from last year is out on the court.

Tyler Ulis and Alex Poythress would agree.

 “Tyler and I were talking about it,” Poythress said. “We felt like it was a little bit like last year with open switching, talking on defense. We’re just trying to play defense and trying to finish.”

Defensive communication is one of the improvements the senior forward believes is making UK click on the defensive end. Guys that aren’t usually talking have stepped up by making themselves heard.   

“(I) felt like it was our best game communicating wise,” Poythress said. “Everybody, even Derek (Wllis), was talking, and, you know, Derek really doesn’t say that much, but he was out there talking.”

As if there were no better time for the UK defense to heat up, the Cats get to put their improving D to the test again on Wednesday before traveling to Lawrence, Kansas, to face the No. 3 Kansas Jayhawks.

The much-anticipated matchup between Kansas and UK provides a spotlight for the UK defense to prove itself. The Jayhawks average 84.8 ppg and shoot 43.8 percent from behind the arc, a colossal challenge for UK. But despite the upcoming trials down the road, Calipari remains confident in his team. 

“Anybody that thinks that this team is not getting better, you’re not watching,” Calipari said.

All eyes will be watching Jan. 30 when the two basketball giants collide. The UK defense is getting better, and soon it’ll have a chance to manifest the hype.