Kentucky basketball is built on offense this season—fast-paced, high-scoring, and electric. The Wildcats have a season average of 85 points per game, a number that should put fear into opponents. The problem? They haven’t actually hit that mark very often lately. How long has it been since they have hit their season average in points?
Over the last 11 games, Kentucky has only reached 85 points twice, and not once in their last 7 games. For a team that once made scoring look effortless, the recent stretch has been anything but.
A Look at the Drought
It's not like Kentucky has been shut down completely—they've had moments. But too often, the final tally falls short:
- 69 points vs. Vanderbilt (L)
- 73 points vs. Tennessee (W)
- 79 points vs. Arkansas (L)
- 84 points vs. Ole Miss (L)
- 80 points vs. South Carolina (W)
- 75 points vs. Tennessee (W)
- 78 points vs. Texas (L)
The last time the Wildcats hit 85? You have to go back to a 102-97 loss to Alabama nearly a month ago. Before that, they managed 95 points in a win over Mississippi State, but aside from those two games, Kentucky has been stuck under its season average.
That means in their last 11 games, they’ve missed their season scoring mark 9 times. For a team that once seemed like it could pour in points at will, that's a concerning trend.
So, What’s Happening?
It’s not that Kentucky suddenly forgot how to score, but there are clear reasons for the drop-off:
- SEC Play is Brutal – Defenses are locking in, and scouting reports have caught up. What worked early in the season isn’t coming as easy now.
- Shooting Woes – Kentucky has struggled from deep at times, making it harder to stretch defenses and open up driving lanes.
- Tougher Opponents – The Wildcats have faced elite defensive teams like Tennessee and Texas, who force opponents into grind-it-out games.
- Inconsistency – Some nights, Kentucky looks unstoppable. Other nights, the offense stalls, leaving fans wondering which version of the team will show up.
Can Kentucky Get Its Groove Back?
There’s no question Kentucky can get back to its high-scoring ways. The talent is there. The system works. They’ve proven it before. But with March fast approaching, the Wildcats need to rediscover their offensive identity soon. Otherwise, their dream of a deep tournament run could be in jeopardy.
For now, Kentucky remains a dangerous team—but until they start hitting 85 points again on the regular, the offense that once looked unstoppable still has something to prove; because the defense is much further behind.