Kentucky vs Georgia Tech Recap
Kentucky Wildcats fall to Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 79-62 as struggles continue
Well, as a Cats fan, this sucks.
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The Kentucky Wildcats were looking to make it back to 0.500% following back-to-back losses against Richmond and Kansas. A losing record under Head Coach John Calipari is uncharted territory for the Wildcats, but it is somewhere they have found themselves. On Sunday, Dec. 6th, the Cats traveled to Atlanta to play 0-2 Georgia Tech. I had the feeling Coach Cal would have his team ready to go, but the senior-led Yellow Jackets once again exposed the inexperience of the Wildcats. FINAL SCORE: UK 62 GT 79
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Turnovers
Kentucky continued their trouble with turnovers, committing 21 of them, compared to the Jackets' 6. In a post-game interview, Coach Cal expressed his concerns in this area, explaining that improvements would have to be made if they wanted to win basketball games. Cal mentioned possibly implementing punishments during practice in order to ensure ball security moving forward. If he hasn't done this yet, he should address this immediately.
Lack of Offense
It seems like this year’s team lacks the go-to guy when it comes to getting a bucket when necessary. Some guys have shown a potential spark in this area, but we are definitely missing a guy like Immanuel Quickly, Tyler Herro, or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander that we had in the past. The Wildcats have looked the best when Isaiah Jackson and Olivier Sarr are not on the floor together. It seems to me like they are in one another's way. Devin Askew played 27 minutes and managed 3 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist. This might be a potential change to be made in order to facilitate some more offense. Coach Cal knows that there are problems all over the place, but it is difficult to improve on these difficulties while losing basketball games.
Terrence Clarke
Freshman guard Terrence Clarke was perhaps the lone bright spot for the Wildcats, scoring 22 points on 64.3% shooting and 75% from deep. With Brandon Boston Jr. being the only other Cat in double figures scoring, Clarke might have emerged as a possible go-to guy in the future.
Georgia Tech's Experience
All but one of GT's starters scored double digit points, with Kyle Sturdivant adding 15 off the bench. Much of these points came off of Kentucky’s 21 turnovers. Good ball movement along with the UK turnovers and defensive lapses made it difficult for Kentucky to stay in the ball game, and it was evident. Senior Moses Wright looked like the Yellow Jackets' player of the game, putting up 21 points and 8 boards.
What's Next for Kentucky?
The Wildcats will look to dig themselves out of the 1-3 hole they are in when they play their next game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Dec. 12th. Many UK fans are questioning this team's heart and desire to play, so the Wildcats have something to prove to Big Blue Nation, with John Calipari in the driver's seat. I haven’t given up hope yet, these guys are young, they just have some growing up to do.