Blown inbounds defense, missed free throws, stagnant offense cost UK in Michigan State loss

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This was not the game Kentucky basketball fans needed to see.

The memory of that stunning NCAA Tournament loss to Saint Peter’s has not gone away and blowing a chance to beat Michigan State in the Champions Classic in Indianapolis and losing 86-77 — in the same spot where UK’s NCAA loss occurred — is not what was expected from this team.

Michigan State is not Saint Peter’s but Kentucky just did not play like a veteran team ranked in the top five of preseason polls should have when it had a chance to win.

—Kentucky gave up a dunk on a Michigan State inbounds play to enable the Spartans to force overtime.

— Kentucky gave up a dunk on a length of the court inbounds play to enable the Spartans to force a second overtime.

— Kentucky did not score the final four minutes and got outscored 13-1 the final 3 minutes, 39 seconds of the second overtime. After All-American Oscar Tshiebwe fouled out at the end of the first overtime, Kentucky had no offense in the second overtime

— Kentucky just looked discombobulated late in the game and became very turnover prone and also missed several key turnovers.

— John Calipari got out-coached by Tom Izzo, who said Monday that this “is the best Kentucky team I’ve seen” because of the experience and shooters Calipari had available. But it was Izzo that made better use of his timeouts, drew up plays that befuddled UK and had his defense in better positions most of the game.

Kentucky got 18 rebounds from Tshiebwe, who had not played in UK’s exhibition games or first two games because of his recent knee surgery, but got out-rebounded 45-38. The Spartans did not have anyone with more than eight rebounds but everybody rebounded. Guard Cason Wallace was next behind Tshiebwe with five for UK.

Guards CJ Fredrick and Antonio Reeves, both recruited to be shotmakers, were a combined 2-for-13 from 3. They did not get many open looks and Kentucky did little to get them open. Point guard Sahvir Wheeler did hit two 3-pointers but I am not sure you want him taking six like he did. Wallace went 2-for-5 from deep.

Chris Livingston and Daimion Collins were overmatched physically in this game. So was Ugonna Onyenso who played just one minute.

Tshiebwe, Wheeler and Collins had missed most of the last two weeks with injuries/personal issues. But Tshiebwe had his 17th straight double-double with 22 points on 9-for-17 shooting, 18 rebounds and four blocks (he also had five turnovers) in 34 minutes. Wheeler had 16 points on 6-for-16 shooting, eight assists, two steals and one block in 40 minutes. Collins, though, had just two points and one rebound in his 18 minutes.

Michigan State had already played and lost to Gonzaga. Kentucky simply was not ready for the physical grind and then self destructed with the game on the line.

However, remember this is November, not March. Lessons need to be learned by players — and coaches. Kentucky plays at Gonzaga Sunday after another cupcake game Thursday.

Let’s see what progress the Cats can make by Sunday because with all that went wrong, this is still a game UK should have won and unlike the last loss in Indianapolis to Saint Peter’s, the Cats do get a chance to keep playing and show they can be better.