CatsIllustrated – QUICK TAKES: Arkansas 88, Kentucky 73

JEFF DRUMMOND:

To place it mildly, this was one of many worst defensive performances I’ve ever seen Kentucky give at Rupp Area. The second-half points-per-possession for Arkansas was 1.424, a quantity I can’t recall seeing for a very long time — if ever — in a half of basketball between two P5 golf equipment. This recreation was simply to bodily for the Cats, and the Razorbacks introduced far more depth to the court docket than UK did. Huge Blue acquired punked in their very own home and left followers scrambling for the exits with greater than six minutes remaining, one thing else I can’t recall seeing. The primary-half officiating was a atrocious, however it will not be an excuse to fall again on as a result of Arkansas simply dominated the second half and made it a moot level. There are a lot of causes for concern after this exhibiting. Kentucky drops to a woeful 1-7 in Quad 1 video games. Oscar Tshiebwe appears to be like like extra of a legal responsibility these days than a reigning nationwide participant of the yr. John Calipari remains to be struggling to push the best rotation buttons. Protection is a large number. We may go on and on, however it’s already late, and perhaps the perfect factor to do now could be simply tip your cap to an ideal efficiency by Arkansas.

TRAVIS GRAF:

For me, this loss got here all the way down to the shortcoming to get defensive stops. Arkansas is a stable workforce, however they’re not a 64% from the sector sort of squad. They shot that from the sector tonight as a result of they had been harder than Kentucky and attacked Kentucky’s protection and took it to them. Cason Wallace is the one constant piece for the Wildcats, and it’s February. That’s a nasty thought for Kentucky followers to have as March approaches. Oscar Tshiebwe performed poorly for the second recreation in a row and he was a complete legal responsibility on the defensive finish. I’m unsure who he would’ve guarded on protection, however some minutes from an injured Sahvir Wheeler (ankle) would’ve been huge on this one, particularly with CJ Fredrick being unplayable as soon as once more.

JUSTIN ROWLAND:

Arkansas performed in addition to I’ve seen them play all season so that they’re undoubtedly peaking on the proper time of yr. This was a pivotal recreation for each groups and the Razorbacks simply flat out beat them, particularly within the second half. When Kentucky was scoring and enjoying nicely on offense it was an excellent recreation, and enjoyable, however as quickly because the offense stalled the Razorbacks ran away with it. Kentucky is simply not ok on the defensive finish of the court docket. They had been No. 69 in adjusted protection on KenPom coming into this recreation and I am unable to think about that can maintain after tonight’s show. I am unsure what the answer is on that finish of the court docket at this level within the season. They badly wanted a Quad 1 win and I believe this finally would have been that, however it was one other occasion of UK simply not being almost ok towards a lot of the greatest groups they’ve confronted.

DAVID SISK:

Attempt these numbers out for measurement: Arkansas was 17-for-22 from 2-point territory within the second half. The Razorbacks shot 72% general within the second half, and 62.7% for the sport. They scored 46 factors within the paint. Kentucky simply doesn’t have any rim safety, and we already knew in regards to the ball-screen issues. The Cats wrestle with groups who can drive the ball. On the opposite finish, the Hawgs had 23 factors off 15 UK turnovers. The Razorbacks had 20 quick break factors. They had been too quick and too bodily, and Kentucky couldn’t reply that bell. These positionless, versatile, athletic groups have brought about issues. That brings us to lineups. CJ Frederick was non-existent, and Antonio Reeves has struggled the final two video games. Now there’s official discuss whether or not Oscar Tshiebwe ought to discover his strategy to the bench. Damion Collins was spectacular within the first half, and he offers rim safety. There isn’t any ample reply to why he didn’t play within the second half. The Cats higher flip it round rapidly, as a result of the schedule is about to get rocky.