Kentucky basketball: 5 Rushed reactions vs Auburn

AUBURN, AL - FEBRUARY 14: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
AUBURN, AL - FEBRUARY 14: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander /
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Kentucky traveled to Auburn on Wednesday night to take on the top-ranked SEC opponent. The Cats fought hard, but Auburn’s energy proved the difference , as the Kentucky basketball team fell 76-66 to the host Tigers.

Here are my 5 ‘Rushed Reactions’ from the Kentucky basketball team’s loss at Auburn. As always, I have not looked at the box scores, replays, or post-game interviews from the game.

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is DA MAN!

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a stud. Coming into the season he was Quade Green’s backup at the point guard spot. Now he’s playing his way into a potential Top-20 draft pick a few months from now. He has holes in his game, most notably an inconsistent perimeter shot. But right now, he is without a doubt UK’s best player.

SGA is the best scorer, the best defender and one of the best rebounders on this team.  Calipari needs to spread the floor to create driving lanes for SGA. Coach Cal needs to keep SGA in motion, use some dribble-drive motion for him, and find ways to keep the ball in his hands.

2. Kevin Knox’s body language

It actually pains me to agree with Dan Dakich on anything, but he’s right about Kevin Knox. Knox’s body language is some of the worst I’ve ever seen from a Kentucky basketball player. His head is down when the game isn’t going well for him. He’s the last one to the huddle with his teammates after fouls.

I was excited for Knox’s season at Kentucky because I thought he would be a Malik Monk type player. But Monk smiled on the court and Monk enjoyed playing with his teammates.  Knox often seems like he hates being on the floor, that he’s not enjoying playing with his teammates.

The body language of Kevin Knox is symbolic of the season Kentucky is having. If that’s the type of leadership one of your best players displays, then the Kentucky basketball team will continue to struggle.

Next: Kentucky falls to Auburn

3. Out of bounds plays

As a high school basketball coach, I cannot, for the life of me, figure out why Calipari does not run baseline out-of-bounds plays. Kentucky had at least 2 turnovers on these plays, and nearly a couple 5-second violations as well. For a team that struggles to score, why not put in a couple baseline plays?

Kenny Payne and Joel Justus both spoke recently about the scoring droughts that Kentucky has experienced in the last few games. It’s Calipari’s job to help his team score, and that can be accomplished by implementing out-of-bounds plays. If Calipari needs any help, he can watch some of the game film from Florida and Vanderbilt when they scored at will against UK.

4. Offensive game-plan needs to change

Kentucky’s offense continues to be way too stagnant each and every game. If the Cats continue to rely on Gilgeous-Alexander to score on tough, contested shots in the paint, BBN will need NIT tickets.

Auburn was able to really pressure and defend UK tonight because at all times, 3 UK players were standing still. SGA has the ball, and players like Nick Richards and Wenyen Gabriel set ball-screens. Auburn succeeded with pressuring the ball and denying passes because there was no movement from the Kentucky offense.

Calipari is still using the same offensive schemes he has in seasons past. That’s good and great when you have players like seasons past. But this team needs more help, more movement, and better offensive X’s and O’s. The players are not doing a good job taking care of the ball, and the coaching staff isn’t doing a good job putting together offensive schemes.

5. Alabama is a must-win

Saturday’s home game against Alabama is essentially a must-win game for the Kentucky basketball team. The Cats have now lost 4 consecutive games. Losing 5 in a row not only hurts UK’s NCAA hopes, but also their placement in the SEC Tournament.

The Wildcats might find themselves in a very tough, challenging first round SEC Tournament game at this point. If the Cats were to lose 5 games in a row, NCAA Tournament bubble talks will ensue. Alabama is going to be a tough opponent for the Cats, led by phenomenal guard play. If the Cats can win, they should be dancing in March. If Collin Sexton and John Petty take care of business, BBN will erupt as the NIT becomes a real possibility.