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The Kentucky basketball "kill shot" that never was

A kill shot is a 10-0 run, and Kentucky had 2 of those. We detail why one should have been much bigger.

ByDrew Holbrook|
Jan 25, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Brandon Garrison (10) reacts to the Vanderbilt Commodores turnover during the second half at Memorial Gymnasium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Jan 25, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Brandon Garrison (10) reacts to the Vanderbilt Commodores turnover during the second half at Memorial Gymnasium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Kentucky basketball fans will remember the frustrating moments in the Wildcats' recent loss to Vanderbilt—a game where two potential "kill shots" slipped away. With opportunities to extend the lead and take control, the Wildcats misfired at crucial times, and Vanderbilt capitalized. Here’s a breakdown of what went wrong and how Kentucky let the game slip through their fingers.

A kill shot is termed that by EvanMiya, who defines it as a 10-0 run and Kentucky had 2 of them against Vandy. That wins usually 88 percent of time:

Missed Opportunities to Seal the Game

With 12:03 remaining in the second half, Kentucky held a 51-51 tie after Jaxson Robinson’s defensive rebound. This was the first of several missed chances to deliver a decisive blow:

  • 12:01: Otega Oweh committed a turnover after grabbing an offensive rebound. Instead of resetting and building momentum, the Wildcats gave the ball right back.
  • 11:47: Brandon Garrison’s missed jumper led to a Vanderbilt possession. Two missed free throws by Vanderbilt could have been a break for Kentucky, but the Wildcats failed to capitalize.
  • 10:26: Lamont Butler missed a free throw that could have stretched the lead to four. While Kentucky recovered the offensive rebound, they came up empty again on the next possession.

The Errant Alley-Oop That Shifted Momentum

Perhaps the most pivotal missed opportunity came at the 9:00 mark. Lamont Butler, who had a really bad game, made maybe his worst mistake; an errant pass on a wide-open alley-oop attempt to Otega Oweh. A completed play here would have pushed Kentucky’s lead to nine and potentially quieted Vanderbilt’s surging confidence for good. Instead, the turnover led directly to Vanderbilt’s game-changing response.

Vanderbilt’s Quick Comeback

In a span of less than a minute, Vanderbilt erased Kentucky’s lead with 2 3 point shots. And all of a sudden a game that should have been 62-51 was 58-57 and all that momentum was now with the home team.

What Should Have Been

Kentucky had the talent and momentum to stretch the lead to 12 or more during this critical stretch. With a missed free throw, turnover, and errant passes, the Wildcats failed to execute and left the door open for Vanderbilt. Instead of delivering the kill shot, Kentucky allowed the Commodores to regain control and eventually claim the victory.

Mark Pope’s Postgame Thoughts

Head coach Mark Pope emphasized he was not disappointed with the effort just had some things they have to clean up. He loves playing in the SEC where every game will test you.

Looking Ahead

The loss to Vanderbilt drops Kentucky’s SEC record to [insert record] and raises questions about their ability to close games on the road. The Wildcats will need to clean up these errors as they face tougher competition in the coming weeks. To see where the Cats currently sit in the NCAA, click here.

Final Thoughts

Missed opportunities defined this game for Kentucky basketball. The Wildcats had two chances to deliver a kill shot but came up short. If they want to compete at the top of the SEC, moments like these must turn into decisive plays. Fans will be left wondering: what could have been?

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