Otega Oweh had 28 points for Kentucky but Georgia's physical play took a toll on UK. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Let’s just call this Kentucky team The Heartbreakers.
Forget the Comeback Cats because this time Kentucky could not come back from a 12-point deficit in the second half — after leading by eight points in the first half — and lost 86-78 to Georgia. Yes, Georgia, a team that had lost five of its previous six games and last won at Rupp Arena when Billy Gillespie was coaching the Cats.
It has been that kind of season. The Cats got dusted by Gonzaga, Michigan State and Louisville in non-conference play and then won four straight, including wins over Indiana and St. John’s. But that was followed by opening SEC play with a loss at Alabama and then a clunker to Missouri in Rupp Arena.
However, just as panic time set in, UK won eight of nine including a sweep of Tennessee and a victory at Arkansas. Even the loss Saturday at UK the Cats were competitive and played hard. That was not the case against Georgia when UK was bullied and lackadaisical going after loose balls.
“I think their physicality was a problem for us, especially early in the game,” Kentucky guard Collin Chandler, who had 18 points on 6-for-10 shooting from 3, said.
Former UK All-American Jack Givens admitted on the UK Radio Network postgame show that he was frustrated with the way UK played.
“It was very obvious from the start that Georgia said we are going to hit them any time they come close to us and if you don’t you are coming out of the game,” Givens said. “It’s tough when you are sitting on the sideline and you see it and guys just let it happen. Until Mo (Dioubate) came in … he was the only guy who hit back. On this level, you can’t play this way.”
No you cannot but yet Kentucky did. The Bulldogs had 10 offensive rebounds in the second half and had 17 second chance points. They also had 22 points off 13 Kentucky turnovers and made only seven turnovers against UK’s often passive defense.
“We were all really disappointed with that part of the game,” Kentucky coach Mark Pope said about Georgia’s physicality. “Georgia on the first possession jumped right into us and was physical and we turned it over and got on our heels.”
Kentucky got back within striking range with five minutes to play but missed six of its final seven shots and had a 2 minute, 13 second scoring drought. Even Otega Oweh, who had 28 p points on 11-for-18 shooting along with four rebounds and four assists, turned the ball over late in the game in crucial situations.
“There are times in the game if the referees are going to let a little bit of physicality go that you have to clear space. You have to be ruthless and even a little violent. Georgia really got into our guys and got aggressive,” Pope said. “We did a poor job attacking the press and establishing ourselves once we got to half court. It kept us off balance.”
It also put Kentucky, which dropped out of the national rankings again this week, needing to once again try to regroup and prove it could overcome a poor performance.
“I am frustrated. We were in such a good position,” Givens said. “If you win this one, you are up there. We are rolling and played hard at Florida and made them win it. This was a huge game for Kentucky and a huge loss.”
Yes it was and one that has Kentucky fans just as frustrated as Givens was and probably even more disappointed than Pope was.
One Response
When the other team starts leaning on us we whimp out.