Kentucky's defense could not slow down Vanderbilt in Tuesday's 80-55 loss. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Less than seven minutes into the first half, Kentucky was 1-for-11 from the field, was out rebounded 11-7 and was down 15-4 at Vanderbilt.
What was really troubling, though, is that it was no surprise that. The sad thing is that bad starts are now expected for Kentucky basketball. Coach Mark Pope’s team has done it so many times that the new normal for Kentucky basketball is to play horribly to start games and that should be embarrassing for the Kentucky basketball program.
Vanderbilt coasted to an 80-55 victory in Nashville that certainly ended UK’s five-game SEC win streak with a thud. Kentucky was behind by double digits in three games during its win streak and needed miraculous comebacks to win at LSU and Tennessee. The next 10 SEC games could find Kentucky as the underdog in eight of them.
“They lost every 50-50 ball. Kentucky just has not answered the toughness issue,” ESPN analyst Jimmy Dykes said. “The effort plays were all won by Vanderbilt which did a lot of good things. Vanderbilt has had an answer for whatever Kentucky tried to do defensively.”
Vanderbilt and Kentucky both had 13 offensive rebounds but the Commodores won the rebounding battle 43-37. The Commodores came into the game averaging three blocked shots per game but had nine because they dominated the inside play.
“Every SEC team that has beaten Vandy has killed Vandy on the glass and that was a focal point (for Kentucky). It is just frustrating to have to watch a game like this,” UK Radio Network analyst Jack Givens said after the game. “I thought we were past all of this.”
Kentucky fans certainly noticed the lack of physical play by the Cats.
“Not sure I’ve ever seen a UK basketball team play with less toughness and emotion. A team kicking sand in their face and they just take it! Pretty sad to see!” Jeff D’Alessio (@RedSox4Life1960) posted on X.
Otega Oweh (20 points) and Denzel Aberdeen (15 points)m had 35 of UK’s 55 points. No other player had more than one field goal. But Oweh was only 7-for-19 from the field and Aberdeen was 6-for-15. Overall Kentucky was 19 of 59 from the field, 6-for-24 from 3 and 11 of 19 at the foul line. Vanderbilt didn’t shoot great but 25 of 62 from the field, 10 of 26 from 3 and 20 of 25 at the foul line was prolific shooting compared to what UK did.
“It’s never just about the offense. On this level everything starts on the defensive end. They (UK) have been really good on the defensive end of the floor. They never get the offense going until they force turnovers or rebound the basketball with authority to start the fast break,” Givens said.
“I can think of only one or two times Kentucky got the ball off the glass and turned it into a transition basket. That’s how Kentucky gets going and why they have been better the last five games. They had been able to stop teams (on defense) but not Vandy.”
Kentucky’s focus was off. How else to explain what happened in the second half when Malachi Moreno inbounded the ball to Oweh who then took two steps and walked out of bounds to give the ball to Vandy. Oweh did not even realize Moreno had inbounded the ball. How can a team’s best player/leader make that kind of careless mistake?
It was just another Nashville beatdown — remember the way Gonzaga embarrassed UK in Nashville in December — and another game where UK trailed by 20 or more points.
Vanderbilt coach Mark Byington, who has been sleeping in his office because of the power outages in Nashville, was a bit giddy after the win.
“We want to be Nashville’s team. We had an opportunity tonight to make a lot of people feel good,” the Vanderbilt coach said. “Maybe people wearing blue didn’t feel good, but they can sit on Broadway and get drunk.”
Except this time any UK fan doing that was simply trying to drown his or her sorrow rather than celebrating.
17 Responses
Stick a fork in this team
Ouch!!
This team says “cash money” before it takes the floor. That says it all.
I saw the video of that.. Not good look.. Then take the floor and get slapped around.. This isnt UK Basketball. It's a facade. Just so happens UK is on the front of the jersey.
Exactly right, Grant!
My bad. Now they’re saying it was “touch money,” whatever that means. Either way, it shows the attitude of this team.
We have a whole team of Calzadas.
The only thing you can count on from this team or individually is the fact there is nothing they do consistently well. They can play well when they put in the effort, but that is very seldom. Players standing around might be the most consistent thing they do.
Not sure there is a single player on this team that could start for a top 25 team; including Oweh, and he is the only one that would stand a chance.
Having said that, I do think this team's problem is all mental. They go as their offense goes. They don't want to beat and bang, push or be pushed. If they can get run outs and score easy baskets, they will lock in. If they don't get those, they seem to back off and go back to the bad habits of playing one on one basketball. I used to think they were sometimes pushing too hard, rushing, but that is not the case. A lot of their problems are a total lack of effort and or selfishness and it only takes a couple of players to make that a big problem for the entire team.
Hate to type this OldFan, but all those problems you mentioned
are the result of coaching. Or a lack thereof. Like most of Cats
fans I like Pope, but just don't think he is the coach for UK.
You could be right. He may not be mean enough. Can you imagine one of these guys trying to play for Bobby Knight or Tubby???
I bet we will lose some donors and over this sad situation
Let's not forget that Pope STILL has not landed any recruits for next year. This will be another big blemish on Barney's legacy as the AD here and talked about for years to come.
Mike,
It's not likely Pope will land any High School recruits. Maybe
even past next year. So next years team, and beyond, will again be made up
of transfers. Who will replace those on this squad who transfer someplace
else. Never thought CBB would ever look like this. Have been a fan for
nearly 70 years. Have seen many changes. Recent changes are ruining
CBB.
It still makes you wonder what this coaching staff does during the week. We were led to believe that we had a real solid group of hires. They seem to be failing big-time in both the coaching and recruiting duties. I am not sure if Pope ignores any feedback they try to give him or is just that clueless to understand. I am even tired of looking at him and listening to him in any type of interview. He looks and sounds like a defeated man that he appears to be. He gives off zero inspiration and the players represent that very well.
Barney won't fire Pope this year…that would indicate that he made a bad hire. This season is not salvageable; Pope has no control over these kids. Pope has next year to get it together or go back to med school.
Barney can't fire Pope. He won't find anyone to replace him.
No one wants the UK Head Coaching job.
That's true, Larry. Pope was not the first choice and maybe not even the second. I just hope Pope is smart enough to figure it out.
Some people (players) are just impossible to work with. Calipari even had one he called "uncoachable". Many, many kids today do not know what actual "effort" is. They never had to do it and don't understand how to get it.
I'm not saying this about all the players on the team, but it only takes a couple. Throw that in with a couple of "project" players and several injuries and it is a recipe for disaster.
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