A real dud in Athens.
The Kentucky Wildcats headed south for their first road SEC game of the year against the Georgia Bulldogs. Unfortunately, the Cats could not get going tonight as they dropped their first SEC game of the year, 82-69.
If you liked the basketball on Saturday, well you absolutely hated the basketball tonight. With an ugly style of basketball on the court, the Cats once again really struggled to handle the physicality of the Bulldogs.
However, if Lamont Butler wasn’t on the court, it really could have gotten a lot worse. As we have become accustomed to this season, Mark Pope and his staff had to show a big-time half-time adjustment to bounce back from the 13-point deficit after the first 20 minutes.
Although they showed some life in the second half, Kentucky really struggled to get rolling at any point of the game. Once again, the physicality of the Bulldogs and their ability to crash the glass halted Kentucky in its tracks.
Now Kentucky’s attention will turn to Starkville on Saturday night. At 13-1 and No. 14 in the country, Mississippi State will be no joke for the Cats on the road once again. Let’s see if they can respond after a tough night in Athens.
Box Score
Game MVP
This one is fairly easy, we have to give this one to Lamont Butler.
He finished the night with 20 points on 8-14 shooting and 1-3 from deep. He also added four rebounds, four steals, and three assists.
It is really easy to say that without Butler tonight, this game is quite possibly a blowout. Whether it be his defense on the perimeter or his scoring ability that has continually improved, Butler is clearly becoming the most important player on this UK roster.
With a tough 16 games left in the league, the BBN has to love their PG1 going forward.
Kentucky vs. Georgia Twitter Reactions
Starting ️ at Georgia. pic.twitter.com/jQudGPDtt1
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) January 7, 2025
Things I never thought I’d say: Andrew Carr puts Somto Cyril on a poster
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) January 8, 2025
I like the defensive activity level from the ‘Cats so far, but some fouls got the ‘Dawgs to the line.
Georgia trying to slow the game down right now.
Overall, not a bad first segment on the road.
— Brandon Ramsey (@BRamseyKSR) January 8, 2025
It sounds like the announcers are talking through a tin cup in a closet
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) January 8, 2025
Travis Perry slowly gaining confidence.
Love to see it.
— Daniel Hager (@DanielHagerKSR) January 8, 2025
Kentucky needs more out of Jaxson Robinson. Has a tendency to drift in and out of games.
— Chris Fisher (@ChrisFisher247) January 8, 2025
Watching inferior SEC players bank in a three on a cold winter night. pic.twitter.com/oIMAFGLm8Q
— Big Blue Drew (@BigBlueDrew33) January 8, 2025
If what I’m seeing tonight is an accurate representation of SEC basketball officiating, road wins should count double. Home teams getting away with some stuff.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) January 8, 2025
he literally just did this pic.twitter.com/JvJrPNqkol
— Barstool Kentucky (@BarstoolUK) January 8, 2025
This was a walk pic.twitter.com/9WJoMsK9MP
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) January 8, 2025
Did they just review a flagrant foul on Georgia vs. Georgia?
— Adam Luckett (@AdamLuckettKSR) January 8, 2025
Kentucky is routinely getting WHIPPED in all one-on-one rebounding situations.
Had a real chance to get over the hump, but Georgia has grown their lead back to where it was at the half.
Danger zone here for the ‘Cats on the road.
— Brandon Ramsey (@BRamseyKSR) January 8, 2025
This flop kills me pic.twitter.com/cKB2QzoeIX
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) January 8, 2025
That’s a choke slam pic.twitter.com/HwBFxgYRNW
— Rare Rookies #BBN (@rarerookies) January 8, 2025
If Kentucky wants to wins games like this they are gunna have to find a way to score more than the other team, been an issue in all our loses
— Max Duffy (@Max__Duffy) January 8, 2025
If you’re reading this, you were just called for a foul in a Georgia Kentucky fame. And the play is under review.
— The Sickos CBB Committee (@SickosCBB) January 8, 2025
This is a year where you really have to only evaluate wins and losses.
The SEC is an absolute beast. Tonight was UGLY and Kentucky didn’t play well. However, at the end of the day it’s one (Quad 1) loss.
Just have to way to bounce back and get in the win column.
— Brandon Ramsey (@BRamseyKSR) January 8, 2025
This hasn’t happened much this season:
Kentucky forced 15 turnovers, but had just 10 points off them. For reference, they forced 9 turnovers and had 20 points off them against Florida.
— Wyatt Huff (@Wildcat_wave) January 8, 2025
As poor as the officiating was tonight, Kentucky cut it to five in the second half and had a chance.
That’s 0-2 on road games this season and won’t be the last game with a poor whistle. Still have got to find a way.
As Pope said after the Ohio St loss, ““There was a lot of, ‘Me…
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) January 8, 2025
‘Like’ our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter for more UK news and views. Go Cats!