The Kentucky Wildcats had been embarrassed by the Texas A&M Aggies on Friday evening time inside the SEC Occasion by a ranking of 97-87.
The Cats purchased off to a gradual start as they went down 8-1 early. It didn’t get rather a lot higher. Kentucky fought once more repeatedly, nevertheless they solely couldn’t seize the lead and keep it.
Everybody is aware of Kentucky’s not world-beaters defensively, nevertheless the Aggies merely couldn’t miss inside the first half. The Aggies led 48-42 on the half.
After the break, it purchased worse. Kentucky’s lack of capacity to defend reared its ugly head, and the offense couldn’t overcome it. The Cats suffered an embarrassing loss with what was primarily a home crowd in Nashville.
The NCAA Occasion is up subsequent for Kentucky. Proper right here’s what you possibly can know from the Cats’ latest SEC Occasion blunder.
Aggies can’t miss, or Cats can’t defend?
Texas A&M is a foul offensive workers. I suggest, really, really unhealthy. Successfully, that’s the second time the Cats have carried out them they often’ve appeared utterly elite on the offensive end.
A&M seemingly couldn’t miss from deep. They’re a fantastic offensive-rebounding workers, so when the images aren’t falling, they’re able to protected the ball anyway. Successfully, as soon as they’re not missing, it makes them that rather a lot more durable to defend.
Maybe it’s a foul matchup? Or presumably it’s solely a sign of points to return again? Guard play is so important come March, and whereas Kentucky’s guards are unbelievable, if they may’t stop opposing guards from scoring, it’s going to return again once more to chunk them sooner considerably than later.
I will say that no matter Kentucky’s lack of capacity to defend, they block pictures at a extreme worth. They’re prime 5 inside the nation in blocks per sport, they often lived as a lot as that standing with a block event tonight. Sadly, it didn’t in the long run matter on account of they might not do the remainder defensively.
Sheppard and Dillingham are Kentucky’s solely hope
Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham had been the one sources of life on Kentucky’s workers on this sport. It might’ve been a blowout with out the two “bench” avid gamers. They blended for 41 elements on 14/27 capturing. Antonio Reeves, with 13 on 4/7 capturing, was Kentucky’s solely completely different double-digit scorer.
In truth, neither was overly spectacular, nevertheless they did all they could based mostly totally on what others produced spherical them. It wasn’t trustworthy to each participant that rather a lot pressure was positioned on them when everyone else refused to provide.
Kentucky’s two biggest avid gamers proceed to return again off the bench, however they’re the Cats’ solely hope of establishing a run. In all probability, the opportunity of that run happening is perhaps low, nevertheless these two guys utterly gasoline Kentucky.
The Cats proceed their porous SEC Occasion streak. No matter how satisfying this workers has been, it could not appear it’ll make a distinction.
Let’s Stop the natty focus on
Look, it was onerous to see this workers worthwhile all of it to start out with. They’re just too wildly inconsistent to win six video video games, most of which could come in direction of teams larger than this Aggies workers.
Nevertheless in case you wished any further proof…
As you prep for yet one more good day of hoops, keep in mind this as every league reaches or performs its semifinal spherical: Given that occasion expanded in 1985, no nationwide champion did not make it to a minimal of the semis of its conference occasion. For further pickup strains, observe me on X.
— David Worlock (@DavidWorlock) March 15, 2024
Ouch.