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Just when you wanted to believe in this Kentucky basketball team, the Cats implode.
After a disastrous start to the Southeastern Conference season that included a stunning home loss to South Carolina, the Cats had won six straight SEC games and controlled their own destiny — win out and UK could do no worse than finish second in the SEC and be in good shape at NCAA Tournament time.
Instead, Kentucky got DOMINATED by Arkansas. The Razorbacks won 88-73 after outscoring UK 47-33 in the second half.
Arkansas went 18 for 25 from the field in the second half. That’s SEVENTY TWO PERCENT in Rupp Arena — and it was no fluke. Kentucky could not stop Arkansas at any position. The Razorbacks had five players with 13 or more points who were a combined 30 of 48 from the field.
Kentucky missed 18 of 30 shots the second half and had nine turnovers, including three steals Arkansas converted into layups/dunks to break the game open early in the second half.
“They drove it at will against Kentucky,” ESPN analyst Jimmy Dykes said. “Kentucky just does not have the firepower and punch you usually see. Oscar (Tshiebwe) is not playing like the national player of the year. He has to get himself right.”
Let’s be honest. Tshiebwe is playing awful. He was 3-for-14 against Florida Saturday and then went 3-for-6 from the field — he had two shots blocked on one possession — and just seven rebounds.
But Kentucky’s defense was even worse than Tshiebwe’s play.
“The Kentucky defense has been exposed,” Dykes said. “The defense has let them down again. They can’t stay in front of the ball.”
How can that be? This was a top five team in preseason polls. This is a team that had a summer exhibition trip to bond on and off the court. This is an old Kentucky team not overloaded with first-year players.
“Kentucky can’t bother Arkansas offensively. They put heat on the ball and they don’t back down. They put pressure on and just made it very difficult on Kentucky with their defense and Kentucky could not come close to doing that to Arkansas,” Dykes said.
“Arkansas’ defense is rugged and built to do damage on the road. You have to compete against Arkansas with your offense.”
Kentucky did shoot 47 percent overall in the game but it also gave up 23 points off turnovers that made that shooting percentage not mean nearly as much. Arkansas got 46 points in the paint and most were just drives where coach John Calipari noted his players did not “body up” and contest shots.
“We have played some really good games and this wasn’t one of them. Give them (Arkansas) credit for how they played,” Calipari said. “They were the aggressor. They were the more physical team. When we made runs and got it close, they made a play.”
6 Responses
One great game.
I guess that may have put some wind in their sails for a little while, but this team’s performance levels are in free fall once again. Last time this happened, this team crashed on rock bottom when it lost to South Carolina at Rupp.
Calipari is a fraud. Calipari has ruined the greatest college basketball program in history. Calipari is nothing but a NBA shill.
But, Barnhart has defaulted on his duty, and UK is not in a position to correct Barnhart’s Blunder.
Well written article. Sums up this game very well.
The first half was the best college basketball I’ve seen in a good while, by any teams. I was stunned that we played a zone! Collins was such a breath of fresh air and neither team backed down. Man! I was psyched for the second half! And then we laid an egg. And, that’s being kind. Arkansas turned up their intensity and we wilted. Rather than being upset, I’m sad. I like these players and want so much more for them. There’s just something wrong and if this can be fixed the entire BBN will be both surprised and overjoyed.
I thought this team was getting it together, but obviously not
Musselman did a better job getting his team to be ready for the second half than Calipari did our team. This isn’t the first time that this team has wilted in the second half. Rather than give them a solid game plan, Calipari just rants and raves like he does on the sidelines, even though he spends more time on the court than in his coach’s box. No other coach carries on like he does. It’s no wonder he got a technical. For just a second, I thought he might have got this team turned around…the next 3 games will tell us a lot.
Yes he did Barry
Hogs scored 46 points drive in paints . HMMM where is Oscar to guard the biggies. Well he is out at 3 point line as he switched from his biggie to guard their smaller Guard leaving lane wide open for dunks and layupss from leaving his big man. he does this every game I’m screaming at the TV NOOOOO! their guard told press they knew he does it so they just ran the play over n over. If O is deep in paint he leaves his feet trying to block every shot he can and the guy makes a fake. BAM Oscar is up in the air and the guy just swings to the basket wide open for an easy dunk or lay up
On offense Cal has only one play. get the ball to Oscar deep. they do and Oscar is covered like a bunch of bees on a Honney comb. Instead of fast kick out he tries to force up a shot to only get stuffed. it isn’t rocket science Cal.
Play Collins or Owons in paint to close lane or show Oscar how to not leave his man
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