The one lesson each player for Kentucky basketball better have learned from Ohio State beatdown

In the wake of a disheartening 85-65 loss against Ohio State, Kentucky's head coach Mark Pope conveyed a message that resonated beyond the scoreline. "There's a lot of ways we can get a lot better. We can execute better." That was an understatment, as the Cats were just 4 for 22 from downtown.

Pope continued, "I felt like our guys were trying to find some juice, find some energy, find some fight, and we just fell really short," pinpointing a pivotal issue in the Wildcats' performance. This game was not just a test of skill but a profound lesson in the essence of team basketball. They could not find the flow becasue they forgot to find it together. Too often one player tried to take over, and tried to be "the guy" and every time it failed.

The stats painted a stark contrast between the Wildcats and the Buckeyes. Kentucky shot a dismal 29.8% from the field compared to Ohio State's impressive 56.6%. The three-point shooting was even more telling, with Kentucky managing only 18.2%. Pope's words, "We could never find the pace of the game. Thorton controlled the game in about every single facet...they were comfortable holding the ball, and it was hard for us to manage that," underscored a game where Ohio State dictated the tempo, leaving Kentucky scrambling to find their rhythm.

Any time the Cats made a run, they'd make a silly turnover and Ohio State would drain clock and then drain a shot. The game statistics reveal more than just shooting percentages; they tell a story of a team that, despite individual efforts, lacked the collective cohesion necessary to counter Ohio State's strategy.

With only 11 assists, well below the season average, Kentucky's play was less about moving the ball to find the best shot and more about individuals trying to force their way through Ohio State's defense. This approach not only led to a poor shooting night but also highlighted a fundamental basketball truth: success is often found in the harmony of teamwork rather than the discord of solo acts of bravery. Though there may a be a time for what so many call hero ball, this game was not it.

The discrepancy in points in the paint a picture of a team failing to be physical, with Kentucky scoring 24 to Ohio State's 36. It also further illustrates the Wildcats' struggle to operate as a unit on the defensive end, allowing far too many easy shots. Ohio State's defense seemed to have anticipated Kentucky's moves, blocking access to the basket where points could have been scored more efficiently. Just look at this shot chart from earlier this year, bbn needs that team back.

Pope's observation about the Wildcats' inability to match Ohio State's pace and control suggests more than a tactical misstep from the coaching staff; it hints at a psychological one for each player. The effort to "find some juice, find some energy, find some fight" indicates players might have been searching for personal moments of glory, hoping to be the reason they won. Rather than contributing to a collective effort, to be more than just individual talents. When a team can't find its rhythm, it's often because each player is playing their own game instead of the team's game. And that is exactly what it looked like in MSG on Saturday night.

This game against Ohio State is a clear reminder for the Kentucky Wildcats that basketball at their level isn't won by individual heroics this year. They all need each and they need to play through interdependence, trust, and the seamless execution that we saw the first 5 games of the year.

As the season progresses, the Wildcats will need to learn from this defeat, much like the Clemson one, focusing on how to move the ball better, support each other's plays, and find that collective fight that Pope spoke of. Only then can they truly embody the spirit of a team that relies on each other, not just in moments of victory but especially in the face of adversity. And one thing is for certain, in this year's SEC, where everyone is great; every Kentucky player will face some adversity on the basketball court.

A coach said it is better to learn and win, than learn and lose. Hopefully Kentucky learned it doesn't like to lose.