Kentucky and Texas A&M was just another example of how topsy-turvy this season has been for the Wildcats. There were moments of elite basketball, and then there were moments that made you want to pull your hair out.
When Malachi Moreno found a layup with 8 minutes to go in the first half to give Kentucky a 30-18 lead, it looked like the Cats were finally finding their road legs. Then, the wheels fell completely off.
The Collapse in College Station
It all opened up nice enough for Kentucky, which was handling Texas A&M's pressure okay. There were small turnovers here and there, but the Cats were making the Aggies pay with open shots. They were making them, until they weren't.
After that 12-point lead, Kentucky scored just 6 points over the next 10 minutes. The Aggies responded with a staggering 41-10 run over the next 11-plus minutes of game time. It was an absolutely embarrassing effort from a team that should be well beyond this by March. Yet, once again, they found themselves staring down a 19-point deficit on the road.
Lack of focus, lack of defense
Yes, the Aggies play a tough brand of basketball, but too many times, Kentucky was gifting them wide-open looks that found the bottom of the net. Texas A&M had 18 points off Kentucky's 10 turnovers midway through the second half, a stat that tells the story of a game Kentucky had complete control of until they simply lost focus.
I don't care about the injuries, and I don't care about anything Mark Pope has to say that will excuse nights like this. This is the University of Kentucky; there is absolutely ZERO excuse to go on the road and find yourself down 20 over and over again. I said earlier this year that the coaching staff has to change, and after tonight, I am even more convinced that if Pope runs this back the same way next year, he won't see a Year 4.
The individual struggles
Otega Oweh had one of the worst games of his Kentucky career. He was lackadaisical on defense and shot airballs all night long, finishing 6 of 15, but was 1 of 6 to start. The second half opening wasn't any better, as the Aggies outscored Kentucky 15-8 to start the frame.
With 15 minutes to go, Oweh missed a wide-open baseline jumper, and Texas A&M's Josh Holloway drove the length of the floor for a finish that saw zero Kentucky players even attempt to stop the ball.
To come out and play this way in this situation is just disgusting.
The final countdown
- 13:00 to go: Cats down 17.
- 7:29 to go: Cats down 15.
- 4:00 timeout: Cats down 13.
The movement was non-existent. The urgency was gone, and to lose like this is not just disappointing; it is unacceptable. Trent Noah came in and made a couple of late 3's to close the gap before rolling his ankle, but make no mistake, this was a terrible loss.
The Aggies win, 96-85.