Kentucky Basketball uninspired effort fends off pesky Southern in final tuneup

Another chilling shooting night shows could one game burn this team

While this Kentucky team continues to not shoot the ball quite as well as advertised and hoped for they still manage runs that give them just enough comfort in games to pull out victories.

The Southern win was another such night and far too many times icy moments in past games may be the precursor that when needed the Wildcats may not be able to heat things up against SEC foes.

Southern led three times in the game and four times it was tied. While those were in the first half Woods had his squad never far out of the game and those can get too close for comfort.

Kentucky will face eight teams that are currently ranked in the AP Top 25 currently and can ill afford to have droughts. They went without a field goal for several stretches and used an 11-2 run twice to push the lead just over double digits.

After these games, they can’t have the lethargic effort where they slog through games. Woods was applauding his team willing them on while Kentucky players much of the game had looks of disinterest on their faces.

Calipari knows the complete team effort wasn’t there but knows there are other things they can contribute to the cause.

"“We had some guys not play well. My kids are not machines, they are not computers, they don’t play well every night….If you’re not making shots, what are you doing to help us win?,” Calipari said. “Do you rebound? If you’re not playing well, do you have no rebounds or one rebound?”"

Whether they were or weren’t body language, facial expressions and effort tell the story and those few fans actually sitting in Rupp through these are equally as lethargic.

Kentucky will be back on the floor Saturday at 5:15 pm EST to take on Notre Dame.