SEC-opening loss exhibits how far Kentucky is from convention mountaintop

[ad_1] The Kentucky Wildcats (9-5, 0-1 in SEC) obtained a evident wake-up name in Saturday's SEC-opening loss to the Related Press No. 14 Alabama Crimson Tide (11-3, 1-0 in SEC).

The normal basketball energy is way from the convention's higher tier in head coach Mark Pope's second season, with no apparent path to an in-season enchancment. For a program used to competing for nationwide title, that might make 2025-26 nothing greater than a wasted season.

Kentucky loses SEC opener by double digits to No. 14 Alabama Kentucky led for just one minute and 20 seconds and trailed by as many as 21 factors within the 89-74 loss. Of Alabama's 31 area targets, 15 got here from three-point vary. In the meantime, the Wildcats had been 4-of-19 (21.1 p.c) from past the arc. They completed with 9 assists, one off their season-low — set in a 67-64 loss to the North Carolina Tar Heels (13-1, 1-0 in ACC).

The crew has struggled in opposition to high quality opponents this season, going 1-5 in Quad 1 video games. Per Barttorvik.com, Kentucky ranks No. 243 in Division I in help charge in opposition to prime 50 groups. General, it was tied for No. 196 in three-point share (33.7 p.c) getting into Saturday.

Junior switch Jaland Lowe's robust recreation off the bench — he completed second on the crew with 21 factors — after lacking time earlier this season with a shoulder harm, provided a small glimmer of hope. He averaged 5.5 assists at Pittsburgh final season and could possibly be the crew's finest ball-handling possibility going ahead.

However the Wildcats lack elite taking pictures from the perimeter, limiting what the offense is able to. With so many high-scoring groups within the SEC, they might tread water within the convention's center class all season. As for the NCAA Match, Kentucky tasks as a 7-seed, which might give it a tricky path by means of the bracket, making it tough to get out of the opening weekend.

After going 24-12 and reaching the Candy 16 in Pope's first season, this system seems to be on the decline in 12 months 2. Kentucky calls for excellence on the hardwood, however that appears like an unattainable aim by means of this yr's first 14 video games. The Wildcats had been a step behind the Tide all recreation, and it is unlikely they catch up this season.