Vicky Graff Photo
Just when you thought it was okay to believe Kentucky was really “built for March” as coach John Calipari proclaimed a few weeks ago, this happens.
Kentucky used a terrific late-season surge that ended with a win at Tennessee to not only get a double-bye in the SEC Tournament but also the No. 2 seed. Kentucky also positioned itself for a high NCAA Tournament seed.
Everything seemed to be aligned for UK to finally win an SEC Tournament game and make the title game — or at least the semifinals.
Instead, Kentucky imploded in Nashville Friday night and lost 97-87 to Texas A&M. It was only the second time this season the Aggies scored 90 points — want to guess who the other opponent was. Yes, it was UK earlier this season when the Aggies also beat the Cats. And UK has allowed more than 97 points in just one other SEC tourney game — Alabama scored 100 in 1979.
Now UK has lost three straight SEC tourney games and five of its last six games in the tournament it once dominated and Big Blue fans were believing could happen again this weekend.
Kentucky Radio Network analyst Jack Givens, a former All-American and 1978 Final Four MVP, didn’t mince words with his postgame analysis or try to hide his disappointment over the way UK played.
“My eyes get to Texas A&M’s 27-9 second chance points advantage,” Givens said. “Those points are hustle points, who wants it the most, I am just going to man up and beat you. I thought Kentucky was past that. I didn’t see Kentucky reverting back.”
No one could have after the impressive win at Tennessee when UK did not let the Vols dominate the boards or push it around.
Givens also saw Kentucky’s guards getting beat consistently to the basket, another problem area the team had earlier this year. Texas A&M had three guards combined for 72 points on 25-for-54 shooting.
“That was six weeks ago. Kentucky took some big steps back,” Givens said. “It was a very disappointing game and a huge loss for this team.”
Texas A&M needed a win to solidify its spot in the NCAA Tournament field. Givens thought UK players would understand that.
“I thought we would see a Kentucky team come out and try to beat them down early. We didn’t see it,” he said. “I know I am disappointed. This hurts. I saw this team at least getting to Sunday (in the SEC tourney title game). I will calm down after I get a good night’s sleep. Every loss I am not saying I take personally but I feel it. It is going to take some days to get over this one is the point I am trying to make.”
Trust me Jack, Kentucky fans know. They were looking for a lot more not only in this tournament but the NCAA Tournament. Now the questions from a month or so ago about this team are all back.
“(NCAA) Seeding was affected by this loss. Tennessee lost, and Kansas lost. If you win this (tournament), now you are up a two seed and you also set yourself up to possibly play at Indianapolis,” Givens said. “I know Kentucky is in (the NCAA) and that’s good but this could have been huge if you win this tournament. Even if you get to Sunday, you might get to the No. 2 line.
“Having said that, Kentucky can still make a run in the tournament.”
Maybe but this loss also again exposes the formula for beating Kentucky — guards that can penetrate and score, physical defense, and tough rebounding — and ratchets the pressure on this team to win big in the NCAA Tournament on this team even more.
64 Responses
The formula you just outlined for beating UK is identical to what we need to do to have any success going forward.
Here’s a tweak start Dillingham and Shepard
Guards that can drive and most can , break the defense down and it goes south from there.
Calipari doesn’t care about the SEC tournament. He’s said so numerous times.
He also doesn’t care about the UK fanbase.
How could any coach make that statement with the fanbase like UK that shows up like it does in Nashville? He’s not working for UK or the fans, he’s working for the NBA.
I for one will be glad when he’s gone.
It’s actually getting harder and harder to watch UK. The disappointment isn’t worth it
RIGHT SPOT ON THIS COMMENT SIR LOVE IT!
He keeps talking like the sec tournament doesn’t matter but the NCAA doe. Well how has he done in the NCAA tournament the past few years.
Completely agree
Agreed on all points especially him basically spitting in the face of BBN on the SEC tournament. Cals demeanor is OK when he is winning games, but these last 5 years have been horrendous by UK standards and if not for the lifetime contract he would be gone. Tubby had a better last 5 year record and was out. Cal has made it clear he is not here to protect UKs history or the BBN. Could another first round NCAA loss be enough?
I agree! I wish he would go coach in the NBA as that’s all he cares about.
He’s tried that and it didn’t work out. He needs to be an NBA team recruiter.
We pay 8.6 million to recruit talent for the NBA.You are so right, those fans filling the arena in Nashville deserve better.
Yep, Jerald, have to say I’m in the same boat. When this team falls short of its potential sometime this week (not if, when), I just hope Mitch grows the spine to go looking for the 33M and put us all out of our misery. I would contribute to that, and only after that is taken care of and we’re back on track with a fresh start would I contribute to the La Familia collective.
I know that data and facts only work to cloud the minds of the weak minded, but the facts about this defense are not only clear, but have been so since early November.
In 32 games, UK has had 23 games with adjusted defensive efficiency above 1 point per possession. There have been 4 games with a defensive efficiency between 0.95 ppp and 0.99 ppp. This defensive efficiency for a game is not good, but a little better than 1.0 or higher. That leaves 4 games (New Mexico State, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Auburn) with adjusted defensive efficiency of 0.9 ppp or lower. Almost all champions have a defensive efficiency less that 0.9 ppp.
For this team, those minus 0.9 ppp games were rare, and clearly not definitive of this team.
Where is the coaching?
Oh, that’s right, UK does not need coaching because it is UK and these kids (and coaches) "are going to be alright" as the fraud reminds us at various points of every season, usually following a disappointing loss.
Well, it is what it is, and it will remain this way so long as UK refuses to demand that the men’s basketball program return to its flagship status.
Good dose of humility from God after gloating over Tennessee’s big loss. Myself included.
I probably was guilty of that too Ky Girl in Florida
That is exactly what I said…
That’s a good way to say that. Your a person of ,like MoMA told me….if you can say something positive? Don’t say anything…Bible vs: God gives Grace to the humble and abase the proud.( God helps those who are humble hearted, and doesn’t those full of pride; which God hates pride.! Thank you KY.Girl in FLA. God bless you……
Yep…..same here!
Also a Ky girl in Florida! Watch with reserve til win over the Vols. Finally let myself get hopeful then…
They could not Guard a Rock
The UT loss was definitely a "feel good" moment for the BBN, but apparently the players and coaching staff didn’t get the memo. Cali-fraudi is one disgusting toxic individual, and he only got by in beginning years when the SEC did not have much coaching parity and his recruiting prowess saved him. A inarguable fact now is the about 80% of the coaches do out coach him with much lesser talent. I would even be willing to take Stackhouse over Cal today. Is there any other coach out there that "out yells" and "out jerks" players more than Cal? It is getting to the point now that it is even tough to look at him let alone have to listen to him.
yeah I agree.
Ky needs to get their big men involved more in the game. So much talent to just watch guards drive and shoot all the time! Texas tech stopped the drive and the 3 point shot. What they gave Ky was the low and high post and it was not utilized! As far as defense goes, they need to work on help defense and the basic rotation.
Beth…you might be on the wrong site for making so much sense. This is basic BB 101 and we have to suffer thru it week after week. It is rinse and repeat every week. What in the world is this coaching staff doing during the week to make these guys better? Who has really shown improved development under this staff since beginning of year? Oh I forget about Mr. Burks. Cali-fraudi has exposed the BBN and himself as the laughing stock of the BBW. I am so disgusted with this waste of talent year after year.
Get out of my head!! Lol
Carl, I was a friend of George’s. Are you his son?
Beth, I think you meant Texas A&M, but that may have been a little foreshadowing: Texas Tech will like do the same thing to us if it makes it to Sat.!
Cal is a joke. When he said SEC tourney not important he should be shipped out. The problem is nutjob Barnhart giving him a lifetime contract.
Apparently, the team is built to lose in March.
Kentucky will not reach another Final Four until Cal is gone.
Cal won’t be gone until he has greedily sucked every last dollar that he can from Kentucky Athletics.
Who’s going to take them there?
At this point I’m willing to give anybody a shot. I like Richard pitino myself but I’d give Stackhouse, or a whole list of coaches the chance. Love to have pearl
From what I’ve seen for the past 5-6 years probably longer . Is nobody for Kentucky actually knows how to guard. They don’t know how to stay between the person they’re guarding and the basket. They can’t move their feet to stay in front of a driving player. It’s been the dilemma for years. Guards just drive right down the lane for layups . Defense wise , they’re always out of position, on the wrong side of the person they’re guarding allowing direct lines to the basket. The offensive player always gets inside position to the basket and the defense lets the drive right by . That should have been the first thing these kids learned in grade school, middle school , junior high basketball. It’s hard to teach defense to kids that have never learned to begin with.
We will be worse next year especially if these players who think they are nba ready leave. No one is ready for the nbam but they will go. Wasted Dillingham and sheppard year. Next year is gonna suck
This has become the new Kentucky. Win a big game, lose one you should win. We now set records like first time we lost 3 in a row in Rupp. I used to love Coach Cal, but something has changed. We still can recruit elite talent, but no longer play at an elite level consistently.
This is what Cal’s one and done looks like. Lose first round tournament games.
I dont know why the Kentucky AD let’s Calipari continue to produce losing teams. He is the highest paid losing coach in college basketball, not a college hall-of-fame coach to me. NBA draft picks do not equal hall-of-fame credentials, winning championships do.
Has been that way recently David
Because he has a lifetime contract and no accountability
Another year and no trophy’s, really hard to win in SEC with mainly freshman! We really need more Junior’s and Senior’s which will never happen! We need players that want to stay and get better the fans deserve this! This brand new team every year isn’t working! Like I said before these players might be awesome in the NBA, but they are not good enough or ready yet to win SEC Conference or Tournament! Need more time together!
We have had experienced teams and young teams. Results are the same.
Will somebody PLEASE tell Cal that we KY fans WANT our Cats to win the SEC tourney! Please tell him we used to be feared and dreaded, especially at tourney time! This one and done crap is killing our BBN! Recruiting the best ain’t worth another crap if we don’t do something with it! We desperately need to hold our college players to at least a two year committment! I know, I know. It would be SO hard to turn down that NBA money but if it was the rule, these kids would get used to the idea.
Don’t think he is very opened minded about that Teressa
CALIPARI IS A FARCE FAKE AND A FRAUD DATS 3F’S BARNHART
I gave up on Ky several years ago, with Mitch Foolheart and The Shameless One screaming and stomping up and down the sidelines. What a fraud and money grubbing shister who has singlehandedly destroyed the UK BB program. The UK faithful should be marching on Lexington demanding a change, like yesterday. How much more of this embarrassing stooge-show does BBN have to endure. Send the two of them packing.
It’s time to call Rick piteno again. bail us like he did when Sutton failed.
Now that would be some move Robert
I like the son…watch what he’s doing with new Mexico and mashburns son.
I agree get Rick Pinto . He said that was one of his mistakes by leaving Kentucky . And at least we know he can coach.
I would be glad to have Rick Pitino back. I would even start watching again. I gave up on Cal a few years ago and he has only gotten worse.
First of all, I’m a huge fan….. one of the biggest! That being said how can any coach not start arguably the best players on your team? Is there a college coach anywhere in in this country that would bring Shepherd, and Dillingham off the bench? We dig ourselves a hole in the beginning of every half. A&M took an early 7 point lead, played decent defense, and shot the ball well, and basically kept that lead for the whole game. If a coach keeps repeating that a game is not that important, his team eventually will believe it
The stats prove that KY is a better team with Sheppard and Dillingham on the floor. Especially Sheppard stat wise. But Cal refuses to swallow his pride and admit he’s wrong by subbing them in.
In the meantime he gives every team a head start and a lead before subbing them in. Momentum is huge in basketball. Cal let’s other teams grab big MO and then try to play catch up. It’s insanity.
To not start 2 of your best players every game is unconscionable. The facts are KY is better with Reed and Rob on the floor. Cal gives teams a head start most games by playing a sub par starting 5. This isn’t fair to the team or the fan base. His job is supposed to give his players the best chance to win. He’s not doing that in any aspect of the game. He is a terrible in game coach. Move him to recruiter and give the coaching job to someone who cares about winning.
Cals legacy is how many players he sends to the NBA.
Kentucky will make a run in the tournament….a run to the exits.
Kentucky can only challenge for recruiting class titles not NCAA titles.
No body ever hung a banner in the rafters that said "Best Recruiting Class"
They’re not consistent they just assume they’re going to win.Kind of like the Dallas Cowboys,you never know who or what team is going to show up.
I am starting to hate our fans. I hope Cal does leave and we go the route of Louisville. It’s what you all deserve.It’s always disappointing to lose but it happens to everyone. Even the best of the best. Just look at the scores from this weekend. Look at the history of the best in the business and you’ll find early losses and bad losses. Bill self, coach k, Roy Williams and yes even Rick Pitino. The new guys that everyone wants. Scott drew, Nate oats, Eric Musselman. Look at their year by year records and tournament performances and tell me you’d be happy with that. You don’t pay attention when they get knocked out of a tournament or have a bad year but bring those performances to Kentucky and you’ll be hating those guys every bit as much as you hate Cal. You guys are the ones that make me want to give it up.
It’s not that we lose. It’s HOW we lose!
It’s embarrassing! All Americans not doing fundamental things that the rest of learned in middle school. It’s on the Coach. Like it or not.
Travis, I hope while we’re looking up those other coaches histories at lesser schools (with inferior support and lower expectations), you’ll take a look at OUR history, especially the stretches where our team met our lofty expectations. Go back to 2010-2017, then look at 1991-1998, 1975-1978, 1968-1970, 1948-1954, etc. Compare those stretches to 2020-2024 (or go back to 2018 until now if you’re talking about the SEC Tournament). This current era is wildly out-of-line with our best. It’s unacceptable. Yet, he’s being paid like this is our Golden Age. It’s not, so it’s only natural to be disgruntled, unless you’re an ostrich with your head in the sand!
I am a ky fan and have been for many many years. I agree with several things that have been said. Lack of defense is the biggest problem with the wildcats.i know that sometimes your shooting will be off,but defense should be a constance. Ky doesn’t play much defense. I also have a problem with officiating. I watch a lot of basketball games and they make calls that they think are a foul, and not just ky games. How can they call some of the flops a foul ,when it’s obvious it’s a flop. They were going to penalize players for flopping. Just wanted to vent my frustrations
As Calipari always says it’s on me. Right on and I’m tired of hearing that. Look at the last 5 years in the SEC tournament and the month of March record for him. It’s very sad for UK basketball.
Good Defense is coached . This is Not new.Cal made a statement years ago That if it were about winning games he would coach different. IM ALL ABOUT INRICHING THESE KIDS AND FAMILIES LIVES BY GETTING THEM TO THE PROS……
Defense
I will say most of you Cal haters obviously have no idea about basketball or recruiting. You can thank the NIL for that. Instance one, a sophomore for A school decides to transfer for more money to play at B school and does the following year. After that year he transfers again to play at C school senior year or wait… he redshirts and is a 5th yr senior graduate playing with 17-18yr old kids. We have have true freshman talent and the playing field has been leveled out tremendously by NIL. Moral of story is stand behind your team and coach or you will be feeling this way no matter who the coach is. And be thankful you do have one that can s a recruiter to give us a chance every year. Maybe not best greatest x and o’s coach but what does a good coach have if he doesn’t have any talent??? Ask Rick P, Bill Self, etc. be humble.
You know the Waggoner starting might have something to do with Cal promises to dad!!!!)it happens no matter what you might think!!
Remember the Harrison twins?