Experienced Richmond too much for young Cats

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Richmond Spiders forward Grant Golden (33) put in a shot in the lane as Kentucky played Richmond on November 29, 2020. Photo by Mark Cornelison

Former UK All-American Mike Pratt said he wanted to see how Kentucky would handle the adversity he felt it would face against a talented, veteran team like Richmond. He also said he wondered if UK would be anywhere close to as good at the foul line this year as it was last season. Pratt and Kentucky fans all got the answers to both concerns Sunday when Richmond easily beat the Cats 76-64 by dominating the second half.

Kentucky’s offense went into “panic mode” midway of the second half when the Spiders built a seven-point lead. Teamwork seemed to disappear — Kentucky had 11 field goals the second half and not a single assist.

Kentucky out rebounded the Spiders 54-31 and got to the foul line 33 times compared to 14 for Richmond. But UK made just 20 of its 33 free throws and got outscored 42-38 in the paint despite dominating the rebounding.

Richmond’s patient offense enabled the Spiders to go 19 of 32 from the field in the second half, including 5-for-13 from 3-point range. Kentucky’s erratic offense led to 11 of 36 shooting the second half and 0-for-6 from 3-point range. Overall UK was 0-for-10 from 3 — the second time under Calipari the Cats have failed to make a 3-pointer in a game.

“Richmond has just knocked Kentucky in the nose,” ESPN analyst Jimmy Dykes said late in the game.

He was right, too. Richmond simply showed UK’s young talent what teamwork means and how to run an offense and defense.

Kentucky basically got its offense from three players who combined for 52 points. BJ Boston had 20 points and 10 rebounds, Olivier Sarr 17 points and 11 rebounds for his first UK double-double and Terrence Clarke 15 points and six rebounds.

But that trio could not offset missed free throws, no 3-pointers, 21 turnovers and only five assists for the game.

“This is an opportunity for our guys to learn. I think we will get better from this,” Kentucky assistant coach Joel Justus said. “We have to become a little bit more unselfish on the offensive end. Zero assists the second half. It was very obvious the ball was sticking a little bit (in player’s hands).

“You have to look at who we are defensively. Give up 59 percent (shooting) from the floor, you’ve got to find out where the lapses were. Got to take better care of the ball.”

While many of us thought it looked like Kentucky was in panic mode on offense and that led to turnovers and no assists, Justus felt a little differently. He said the turnovers came a variety of ways from walks to stripped balls from behind. Not all were in offensive sets.

“We knew we had to play really well to win the game and we didn’t,” Justus admitted. “Partly due to the way Richmond played and everyone in our locker room would say some was self inflicted.”

Sarr played against Richmond two years ago when he was at Wake Forest. He knew it would be a difficult game and told teammates that. He said UK’s lack of communication was a big factor in 21 turnovers.

“We just have to communicate and let others know a trap is coming or somebody is trying to steal the ball. Just play with poise,” Sarr said. “They (Richmond) didn’t panic when they were down. They kept playing. Just played with confidence and it showed on the court.”

Yes it did because no matter what anyone says, Kentucky did panic and did not play with poise.

Can the Cats get that changed before they play Kansas Tuesday night?

Justus said this early in the year, every game — win or lose — is a learning moment.

“The biggest lesson is we are the solution. We have got to bounce back by learning from our mistakes. Just help make the game easier by helping each other,” Sarr said.

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