Kentucky’s Struggles with Slow Starts Loom Large as SEC Competition Nears
The Kentucky Wildcats have faced recurring difficulties with sluggish starts this season, a problem that has already cost them critical games and could become an even greater liability as Southeastern Conference (SEC) play approaches. While the team managed to recover from early deficits against high-profile opponents like Duke and Gonzaga, their luck ran out in a devastating 85-65 loss to Ohio State during the CBS Sports Classic at Madison Square Garden.
A Pattern of Slow Starts
Kentucky’s tendency to start games poorly was evident early in the season. Against then-No. 6 Duke in the Champions Classic, the Wildcats trailed 46-37 at halftime but mounted a spirited second-half comeback to secure a 77-72 victory. Similarly, in a clash with then-No. 7 Gonzaga during the Battle in Seattle, Kentucky faced a daunting 50-34 halftime deficit but ultimately pulled off a dramatic 90-89 overtime win despite being without starting point guard Lamont Butler.
However, the Wildcats’ luck has not always held. Their inconsistent first-half performances came back to haunt them against Clemson in the ACC-SEC Challenge. Kentucky entered halftime down 37-30, managed to briefly take the lead in the second half, but ultimately fell 70-66 to the Tigers. Even in a seemingly straightforward home win over a struggling Colgate team, Kentucky allowed a 2-8 Raiders squad to close the first half on a 36-21 run, narrowing the Wildcats’ lead to just two points at the break.
A Lethal Combination Against Ohio State
Against Ohio State, Kentucky’s early-game struggles were once again on full display. The Wildcats entered halftime trailing 39-30, unable to capitalize on a Buckeyes team still reeling from a 91-53 loss to Auburn. Kentucky’s offensive output in the first half was dismal, with the team shooting just 34.8% from the field and an identical 34.8% from three-point range.
Despite a brief second-half push that cut the deficit to six points with 14:20 remaining, the Wildcats faltered down the stretch. Ohio State outscored Kentucky 34-20 in the game’s final minutes, capitalizing on timely offensive rebounds and strong free-throw shooting led by Bruce Thornton, who tallied 30 points and converted 13 shots from the charity stripe.
Ohio State assistant coach Jake Diebler credited his team’s disciplined execution and ability to control the game’s tempo. “We knew Kentucky had the ability to make big runs, so we tried to manage the game by making them guard longer in the half court and taking high-percentage shots early in the clock,” Diebler explained postgame.
Offensive Inefficiency
Kentucky’s offensive performance against Ohio State was abysmal. The team shot just 29.8% from the field, a paltry 18.2% from three-point range, and struggled to find rhythm throughout the contest. Head coach Mark Pope expressed frustration with his team’s inability to dictate the game’s tempo, saying, “We just never could find the pace. Bruce Thornton controlled the game entirely. It was hard for us to guard in space or generate any energy.”
The SEC: A Steeper Challenge
With SEC play on the horizon, Kentucky’s habit of starting slow could prove disastrous in one of the most competitive conferences in college basketball. ESPN’s Joe Lunardi recently projected that 13 of the SEC’s 16 teams could make the NCAA Tournament, highlighting the league’s depth and difficulty. Even South Carolina, currently 8-3 and considered the SEC’s weakest team, recently defeated the same Clemson squad that toppled Kentucky.
Kentucky’s next opportunity to refine its game will come on New Year’s Eve against Brown, a final non-conference tune-up before diving into a grueling SEC schedule. The Wildcats must use this time to address their troubling first-half performances.
A Call for Resilience
Despite the setbacks, Coach Pope remains optimistic about his team’s ability to bounce back. “These guys are incredible young men, and they’ll respond beautifully,” he said. “It’s painful to lose a game like this, but I know they’ll work hard and fight to represent this program the right way.”
As Kentucky enters conference play, the Wildcats will need to overcome their first-half woes to compete in what promises to be a historically challenging SEC season. Failure to do so could leave them struggling to keep pace in a league stacked with NCAA Tournament-caliber teams.
