Kentucky Basketball stats: November and December dominance vs. January downturn

November was a fun month for Kentucky, December a little bit less, but still pretty awesome. January ended with a whimper, and February started with a bang, just not in a good way. Here are Kentucky basketball's stats for each month so fans can track the trends that defined the season so far.

November: A Scorching Start

• Scoring: 96.7 PPG
• Opponent Scoring: 67.3 PPG
• Scoring Margin: +29.4
• Field Goal Percentage: 51%
• Three-Point Percentage: 38%
• Assists Per Game: 21.1
• Rebounds Per Game: 45.0
• Defensive Performance: Opponents shot 40.5% from the field and 28% from three

December: A Tougher Stretch

• Scoring Decline: 89.1 PPG (down from 96.7)
• Opponent Scoring Increase: 72.8 PPG (up from 67.3)
• Field Goal Percentage Drop: 48.0% (from 51%)
• Three-Point Shooting Decline: 35.5% (from 38%)
• Rebounding Decrease: 43.4 RPG (from 45.0)
• Assists Per Game Drop: 18.8 APG (from 21.1)
• Offensive Struggles: Frequent scoring droughts, including a nearly 9-minute stretch without a field goal

January: Current Season Trends

• Scoring: 87.2 PPG (#3 in the nation)
• Opponent Scoring: 76.5 PPG (#277)
• Scoring Margin: +10.7 (#30)
• Assists Per Game: 17.7 (#10)
• Total Rebounds Per Game: 40.3 (#10)
• Three-Point Shooting: 37.7% (#34)
• Field Goal Percentage: 48.5% (#22)
• Effective Field Goal Percentage: 56.5% (#17)
• Defensive Three-Point Shooting: Opponents shoot 29.8% (#23)

Key Statistical Comparisons

Offense

• Points Per Game: November (96.7) → December (89.1) → January (87.2)
• Field Goal Percentage: November (51%) → December (48%) → January (48.5%)
• Three-Point Percentage: November (38%) → December (35.5%) → January (37.7%)
• Assists Per Game: November (21.1) → December (18.8) → January (17.7)
• Turnovers Per Game: 10.7 (#61 in the nation)

The offense continues to be pretty good, but the efficiency is dropping, down nearly 2 full points per game over December.

Defense

• Opponent Points Per Game: November (67.3) → December (72.8) → January (76.5)
• Opponent Field Goal Percentage: November (40.5%) → December (40.5%) → January (42.1%)
• Opponent Three-Point Percentage: November (28%) → December (27.5%) → January (29.8%)
• Opponent Assists Per Game: 12.8 (#135)
• Opponent Turnovers Per Game: 10.2 (#324)

The defense was once pretty good but has gone to near terrible levels; teams are scoring 4 points more per game and shooting 2 percent better. And the Cats are turning it over more than the opponents now.

Rebounding

• Total Rebounds Per Game: November (45.0) → December (43.4) → January (40.3)
• Offensive Rebounds Per Game: 9.7 (#107)
• Defensive Rebounds Per Game: 26.6 (#10)

Nearly 5 rebounds per game down and nearly all of that on the offensive end, as the Cats are still an elite defensive rebounding team.

Standout Players

• Otega Oweh: 15.6 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 49.4% FG
• Jaxson Robinson: 13.4 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 37.2% 3PT
• Lamont Butler: 13.2 PPG, 4.8 APG, 51.3% FG
• Koby Brea: 10.9 PPG, 46.3% 3PT
• Amari Williams: 10.3 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 1.4 BPG

Key Takeaways

• Offense Slowing: Scoring has dropped each month but remains elite
• Defense Struggling: Opponents scoring more points, forcing fewer turnovers
• Rebounding Decline: Facing challenges against bigger, physical teams
• Three-Point Shooting Holding Steady: 37.7% in January still among the best
• Stars Stepping Up: Oweh, Brea, and Williams continue to lead the way

Kentucky started the season on fire, but tougher competition has forced adjustments. Their offense remains one of the best in the nation, but rebounding and defensive consistency will be crucial moving forward. They have to stop turning the ball over, simple as that.

Hopefully, February brings some luck.