Kentucky Basketball: Biggest Adjustments Wildcats Must Make in 2016-17

Even with a retooled roster, the Kentucky Wildcats can learn a lot from last season.

After once again coming into the year with high expectations, Kentucky had an up-and-down season that concluded with a second-round exit in the NCAA tournament. There were high points as well, including an SEC tournament title, but the end was a relative disappointment for a program that is used to contending for a championship every season.

As a result, there are some changes that the team should make heading into 2016-17 that go beyond just adding new talent. Even the incoming players can learn from the shortcomings of last year.

These are some of the adjustments that the Wildcats have to make in order to be successful in the upcoming season.

Go Deeper Down the Bench

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Kentucky obviously wanted Tyler Ulis and Jamal Murray on the court as much as possible last season. Not only were they two of the best guards in the entire country, but the drop-off after them in the lineup was massive.

However, it takes a toll on a young player to average more than 35 minutes per game. In the SEC tournament finals, Murray played 44 minutes of the overtime win while Ulis played all 45. This is even more impressive considering it was the third game in as many days.

Neither player was someone who would ask for a break, but the fatigue became a problem at times on both ends of the court. Even sneaking in some rest during the first half could have gone a long way in close games.

The coaching staff has to make sure not to push incoming freshmen guards De'Aaron Fox and Malik Monk quite as much.

Meanwhile, Kentucky seemed to improve last year when it gave its bench players a chance to shine. Derek Willis struggled to get on the court at the start of the year and ended up being a difference-maker on the roster thanks to his ability to spread the floor with his shooting. Isaac Humphries also played solid defense when he got an opportunity, providing the strength inside missing with Skal Labissiere.

The Wildcats don't quite have a deep enough roster to platoon like two years ago, but there are more options than this past season. Head coach John Calipari needs to trust some of these players who might be overlooked to help the team in the long run.

Limit Fouling

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Kentucky had the tools to be a great defensive team last year, but one of the biggest factors holding it back was the inability to avoid fouls.

According to KenPom.com, the Wildcats ranked 266th in the country in opponent's free-throw rate. All three primary frontcourt players deserve to share the blame for this issue, as Marcus Lee (5.5 fouls called per 40 minutes), Alex Poythress (6.1) and Labissiere (7.6) all struggled to control themselves.

Poythress fouled out seven times last season, with Kentucky finishing 2-5 in those games. 

Labissiere and Poythress are both gone, and according to Brian Hamilton of Sports Illustrated, Lee is also unlikely to return. However, the new crop of big men can learn from the mistakes that held this team back.

Bam Adebayo has great strength and an imposing frame (6'9", 232 lbs) that will help him become an elite defender in the paint. However, he will have to control his body in order to avoid cheap fouls that could hurt the team. Wenyen Gabriel and Sacha Killeya-Jones both have shot-blocking ability, but improving their timing will be vital.

Next year's squad could have one of the top defenses in college basketball, but strong defense without picking up fouls will be the difference.

Improve Free-Throw Shooting

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Looking at you, Isaiah Briscoe.

Not being able to make three-point shots is one thing, because you can easily just avoid attempting them. However, Briscoe's style of attacking the basket leads to a lot of fouls. When a player shoots just 46 percent from the free-throw line, it leaves a lot of points on the table.

Lee (40.3 percent) and Charles Matthews (41.2 percent) were also nothing short of a disaster from the charity stripe.

Monk should help the team average while Fox is also solid, but they are only replacing quality free-throw shooters in Ulis and Murray. It will take more to improve a team-wide mark of 69 percent, which ranked just 208th in the country last season.

Kentucky needs a primary ball-handler such as Briscoe to become at least somewhat reliable at the line while the rest of the roster also picks up the slack. Otherwise, the coaching staff will have to make some changes to the lineup, especially late in games.

Speed Up Tempo

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Since coming to Kentucky, Calipari has generally preferred a slower-paced attack. According to KenPom.com, the team ranked 221st in the country in adjusted tempo, and only once in the coach's seven years with the school has the squad ranked in the top 100 in this category.

Interestingly, the only year with a relatively fast pace was Calipari's first in Lexington with John Wall and Eric Bledsoe in the backcourt, and DeMarcus Cousins down low.

It's hard to compare any team to that one, but the trio of Fox, Monk and Briscoe do have the quickness and athleticism to take advantage of a fast-paced game. The big men are in good enough shape to run up and down the court, while there is plenty of depth to provide ample rest for all of the players.

A quicker tempo would allow for more transition points and open shots all over the court. There are also often more turnovers, but three quality ball-handlers in the backcourt will help take care of this. With the way the defense already puts pressure on opposing guards, this strategy could fit this team well.

The Wildcats have more athleticism and more depth than most of their opponents, and it is about time they use this to their advantage.

More Focus on the Road

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It's not uncommon for inexperienced teams to struggle away from home, especially in a sport such as college basketball with so many rabid fans in true road games. However, an elite team has to overcome these issues, something that didn't happen this past season.

The Wildcats were undefeated at Rupp Arena but went just 4-7 in road games. Losses to Tennessee and Auburn were particularly embarrassing.

Young players often need time to get more comfortable outside of their own surroundings, but Kentucky won't have that advantage with a new crop of one-and-done players coming to Lexington. The incoming freshmen will have to grow up in a hurry and not let any outside factors affect them.

Meanwhile, returning players such as Briscoe and Willis will each have to take on more of a leadership role throughout the year and guide the new players through the difficult schedule.

If this team wants to reach its lofty goals both in the SEC and nationally, succeeding away from home will be one of the first steps.

Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for year-round sports analysis.