The Wildcats were in control of this game late, but they couldn’t close the deal at Texas.
That was a tough one for the Kentucky Wildcats, falling 82-78 to the Texas Longhorns.
Yes, the Wildcats missed eight free throws, and those misses add up in a close game. But Kentucky just can’t get outscored 16-6 over the last 3:36 of the game. That includes a 12-0 run that gave Texas a 78-70 lead with less than a minute to play. This one is going to sting, and it could come back to haunt the Wildcats if they have to play on Wednesday of the SEC Tournament.
Here are my thoughts from Kentucky’s loss at Texas on Saturday night.
1. Despite being without their top three point guards, this is a game the Wildcats needed to find a way to close out. They had Texas on the ropes; frustrated and on the brink of falling to the wrong side of the bubble. Now, at 6-6 in the SEC, Kentucky is now going to have to probably 4-2 in their final six games to be in position to clinch a bye in the SEC Tournament.
2. Texas had 15 offensive rebounds Saturday night. Fifteen. Their last offensive rebound was the biggest one of the night, and it never should have happened. Tre Johnson, who had 32 points on the night, missed the second of two free throws- a rarity for him. If Kentucky secures the rebound, it’s a two-point game at 72-70 with 1:35 to play. Instead, Kadin Shedrick gets the offensive rebound and tip-in to stretch the lead to 74-70. Texas was without their leading rebounder, Arthur Kaluma, in Saturday night’s game. But their effort on the glass was relentless in winning a game they needed to stay on the right side of the bubble.
3. Speaking of Tre Johnson, he is elite. He scored 32 points despite only making one three-pointer. Shooters keep shooting, and Johnson attempted 26 shots on the night. He also had nine rebounds and three assists. But every elite scorer needs a sidekick, and Tramon Mark was that Saturday night for Johnson. Mark scored 26 points on 9-14 shooting, including three three-pointers. Johnson and Mark combined for 58 of Texas’s 82 points Saturday night.
4. Kentucky actually out-rebounded Texas 18-15 on the offensive glass. That’s what’s so frustrating about Saturday night’s game. They had Texas beat on the glass and in the game, but they let their control slip away.
5. Amari Williams was incredible Saturday night. Eighteen points and 12 rebounds. He keeps getting better and better with each passing game. Keep in mind that he was playing in the CAA last year. Now, he’s making his presence felt in the SEC. He’s going to be a very important player in the final three weeks of the regular season and the postseason for Kentucky, regardless of whether Jaxson Robinson, Lamont Butler, and Kerr Kriisa are playing or not.
6. Otega Oweh quietly had 20 points Saturday night. On a team where there’s seemingly not much that’s automatic, Oweh scoring in double figures has become just that. That’s now 25 straight games, in 25 games this season, for Oweh in double figures for the Wildcats.
7. Kentucky had 15 turnovers in Saturday night’s game, and 10 of those came in the second half. Travis Perry, making the first start of his career on Saturday night, had a huge turnover with the Wildcats clinging to a 70-69 lead with 2:32 to play. It led to two made free throws by Tramon Mark to give Texas a lead it would not relinquish down the stretch. Ten turnovers to just four assists in the second half added up in a very damaging way for the Wildcats.
8. This is one of those games where if the Wildcats win we’re really talking about Amari Williams and Otega Oweh and their performances Saturday night. Unfortunately, we really can’t after the way that game ended. This is a loss that will sting, but there are still plenty of opportunities remaining. That includes Wednesday night against Vanderbilt and next Saturday night at Alabama. One game at a time, one segment at a time, are mantras in the SEC this season.