“I simply have a sense. That is after they’ll flip the nook.” That thought has crossed the minds of many Kentucky basketball followers over the past three years, solely to be let down by one other disappointing efficiency. The most recent uninspiring loss, a 63-53 CBS Sports activities Basic blunder in opposition to UCLA, has introduced upon a well-recognized feeling. The BBN has grow to be Charlie Brown and Lucy simply retains pulling the ball away on the final minute.

You’ve seen the stat by now. It’s unavoidable. They even put it on the ESPN ticker. Kentucky is 4-13 in opposition to AP Prime 25 groups over the past three seasons. This isn’t only a feeling you could have as a scorn Kentucky basketball fan. The Wildcats haven’t carried out effectively in opposition to good groups, time and time once more. The numbers don’t get a lot better should you go back one more season.

John Calipari stays optimistic this staff can flip it round. In spite of everything, this isn’t the primary time one among his groups have struggled earlier than Christmas.

“We missed so many open photographs, it turns into demoralizing. The loopy factor is, we nonetheless may have received the sport…,” Calipari stated after the sport. “I believed we had been gonna win the sport. ‘We had been in good condition, let’s simply maintain going.’ We make a pair errors, then we took a pair unhealthy photographs down the stretch when it was a two-bucket sport.”

One thing is lacking from this staff. It has many particular issues, which we’ll get to, however there’s a sure intangible that simply isn’t there. It’s troublesome to explain that canine mentality, however its absence is abundantly clear. This staff that wears Kentucky basketball uniforms just isn’t the staff everybody hated as a result of they got here to your city and beat your staff.

An Abysmal Ultimate Stretch

Regardless of an 8-point halftime deficit, Kentucky clawed again into the sport within the second half, thanks largely to heroics by Chris Livingston. Kentucky tied the sport with 14:26 on the clock and stayed inside attain till Sahvir Wheeler made it a 2-point sport. Over the ultimate 4:31 the Wildcats had been 0-11 from the sector. Complemented by a 5-of-13 efficiency from the free throw line, Kentucky didn’t play profitable basketball in opposition to UCLA.

Kentucky Guards Can’t Catch a Chilly

It’s laborious to win when your capturing guards aren’t making photographs. Getting into this sport John Calipari’s answer was “be able to shoot” and “shoot it extra.” CJ Fredrick did neither, going 0-0 in six minutes, his second consecutive scoreless sport. Antonio Reeves shot lots, however the frequent floaters by no means felt in rhythm. Cason Wallace hit his first three, then went ice, ice chilly. The three wings mixed to attain 13 factors on 4-of-26 photographs (15.3%). Even with a defending Nationwide Participant of the Yr within the paint, you may’t win basketball video games in case your wings can’t hit photographs.

Traditionally Dangerous Kentucky Offense

All of it added as much as a 53-point efficiency that single-handedly dropped the Cats 9 spots within the KenPom rankings in a single day. It was the Wildcats’ worst offensive performance since the 2011 Final Four loss to UConn. CBS Sports activities’ Matt Norlander painted a transparent image of the place Kentucky followers stand with Coach Cal and his offense after one other massive whiff on a giant stage.

There’s a stagnancy. There’s a predictable halt of movement late in video games. It looks as if good groups are capable of determine Kentucky out, and with out a dynamic alpha scorer on the roster, it places a ceiling on Kentucky’s creativity. I didn’t count on this; in early November, I picked the Wildcats to win the nationwide title. There’s little to counsel that’s attainable with this staff.

CBS Sports activities

Advertisement

John Calipari, Gamers Communicate

You possibly can see the entire Wildcats’ postgame feedback right here. As an alternative of embedding these, I’ll share Drew Franklin and Steven Peake’s ideas from Madison Sq. Backyard.

Subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel for press conferences, interviews, unique exhibits, fan options, and unique content material.

Chris Livingston Breakthrough Efficiency

Manufacturing from the four-position has been removed from constant. The season-long stats for Jacob Toppin aren’t unhealthy, however he hasn’t been there when Kentucky wants him in massive moments. It took 10 shot makes an attempt for him to attain 5 factors on Saturday. He additionally had three turnovers in 24 minutes.

Whereas ready for a breakthrough from Toppin, we noticed one from Chris Livingston. He knocked down his first 5 photographs. Two of them had been three-pointers and his three straight jumpers tied the sport early within the second half. He completed with 14 factors and 4 rebounds. Although Calipari nonetheless performed him primarily on the 3-spot, possibly he might be the reply Kentucky is in search of on the 4.

Blue Obtained In to MSG

The Kentucky basketball staff didn’t battle due to an absence of enthusiasm from its followers. The BBN painted the Huge Apple Blue. See a number of the fanfare from New York Metropolis by the lens of Dr. Michael Huang.

Roster Constructing Season for Kentucky Soccer

The Wildcats acquired on a roll late within the week by choosing up a few commitments from the switch portal. Issues have gone quiet as switch portal gamers and highschool prospects end their closing visits. At the moment is the final day they’ll go to with coaches in-person. Graham Mertz was on UK’s campus whereas Devin Leary checked out Auburn. Now it’s time to let the cake bake. The ready sport just isn’t enjoyable, however endurance may repay as selections start to roll in earlier than the Early Signing Interval begins Wednesday.

Kentucky Girls’s Basketball in Motion

Friday evening Kyra Elzy’s Cats laid in egg, scoring solely 44 factors in a loss to Murray State. Luckily, they don’t have to attend lengthy to bounce again. This afternoon at 1 pm EST they return to Memorial Coliseum to host Florida Gulf Coast on Ugly Sweater Day. Put on your ugly Christmas sweater to look at the Cats or stream the motion from residence on SECN+.