For Kentucky basketball fans, the past eight games have felt like coal in the stocking. The Wildcats’ once-promising season is now riddled with bad trends and steep falls in key metrics, making the holiday cheer a little harder to muster.
The numbers don’t lie. Kentucky is shooting 35.5% from beyond the arc this season, but over the last eight games, that mark has taken a nosedive. In six of the last seven outings, the Cats have shot below the national average of 33.2% (the dreaded red line). Against Ohio State, Kentucky endured an agonizing eight-minute scoring drought, a stretch that left Big Blue Nation groaning like someone who just found out their Christmas ham is burnt.
Here's Kentucky's game-by-game 3PT% trends this season
— WT - Lamont Enthusiast (@WildcatsTongue) December 23, 2024
We are now sitting at 35.5% on the season, but have been below the national average (red line) of 33.2% in 6 of the last 7 games 😬 pic.twitter.com/Rq3CgiFEH6
The loss to Ohio State stung, but the fallout was just as painful. Kentucky plummeted from 12th to 26th in KenPom, dropped to 17th in NET rankings, and fell to 15th on Bart Torvik’s list. While this loss is currently classified as a Quad 1 defeat (helpful for tournament metrics), that status hinges on Ohio State staying in the top 50 in NET. Should the Buckeyes tumble out, the loss could become even more damaging.
The offensive struggles are impossible to ignore. Kentucky’s once-fluid attack has slowed, plagued by turnovers, poor shot selection, and prolonged droughts. Over the last eight games, they’ve averaged just 1.01 points per possession—down significantly from their early-season numbers. For a team that thrives on efficient scoring and tempo, these struggles are concerning.
Mark Pope, known for his emphasis on perimeter shooting, has seen his team’s outside accuracy falter in key moments. The lack of consistency has put extra pressure on Kentucky’s defense, which has been solid but can’t make up for the offensive lapses.
The road ahead is critical. The Wildcats need to stop the bleeding—both in their shooting and their metrics. With SEC play looming, there’s no better time to turn the season around. Otherwise, the Big Blue Nation might find itself wishing for more than just wins this Christmas.