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The Kentucky Wildcats entered Saturday on a five-game losing streak and in desperate need of a win to try and turn the season around.
Right from the start it was obvious that this was going to be a low scoring game as neither team could buy a basket.
Despite the sluggish start, Kentucky held a 13-11 lead at the under 12 media timeout.
However, in a rivalry game neither team is going to run away with it and this one was close throughout the first half as Louisville battled back to take a 21-19 lead with just under 8 minutes left.
Down the stretch of the first half, neither team did much scoring, which is on par with the rest of the half, but it was the Cards that held a 28-27 lead at the break.
The second half got off to a great start for the Cats as they turned defense into quick offense and built a 32-28 lead.
Then came the long scoring drought that we have seen this team have every game this season.
From the 17:15 mark until the 9:16 mark, the Cats failed to make a FG and found themselves down 45-41 staying alive with free throws.
Louisville’s lead grew to 50-43 but Kentucky would battle back and have the ball down 60-59 with 18 seconds to play.
Unfortunately, Olivier Sarr missed the potential game winner and BJ Boston missed the game tying three-point attempt at the buzzer as Louisville escapes with a 62-59 win.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the game:
Final. pic.twitter.com/jdgNnIbD3G
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) December 26, 2020
This is unhealthy.
— Drew Franklin (@DrewFranklinKSR) December 26, 2020
Kentucky is two Olivier Sarr jumpers away from being 3-4.
— Chris Fisher (@ChrisFisher247) December 26, 2020
Calipari on Allen: “I told Dontaie today, ‘Be ready for your chance. If Terrence, if I don’t think he can go, then I’m going with you.’ " Wished he'd played him. "But he’s going to have a chance. Just wasn’t tonight.”
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) December 26, 2020
John Calipari: “Losing stinks.”
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) December 26, 2020
UK’s offensive lulls are UK’s big issue. Each and every player should be embarrassed. 7 minute stretch in a 40 minute game is literally disrespectful to the sport. Imagine competitive hot dog eaters intentionally choking citing boredom.
— T.J. Walker (@TJWalkerRadio) December 26, 2020
BJ Boston and Terrence Clarke have combined for five points on 2-10 shooting, 0-5 from three.
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) December 26, 2020
I'll say this about Dontaie Allen. I don't think he's been given a fair opportunity. We hear about guys hitting shots in practice all the time but it doesn't play out that way in games. Let's see what he can do and if he doesn't perform, everyone will stop mentioning it.
— Shawn Smith (@gbbcountry) December 26, 2020
There’s three guys on the team that need minutes reduced until they start understanding how this works. I will not say names.
— Dalton Jones ® (@DaltonJJones19) December 26, 2020
BJ Boston has the fastest release I have ever seen and it looks like it has no direction. I would work on slowing that stroke just a bit.
— Jon R (@jrasmussbbn) December 26, 2020
You can tell reduced attendance is killing TV Teddy. He’s having to work hard to get attention today and it shows.
— Anthony Wireman (@awireman) December 26, 2020
The only non-zero number in Clarke's stat sheet is 1 turnover
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) December 26, 2020
When Cal said "I have to let some guys miss" I think he meant "I have to let some guys set the Guinness World Record for misses"
— Drew Franklin (@DrewFranklinKSR) December 26, 2020
Another missed three-another Louisville bucket-another minute in the bench for Allen
— Brent Rainscott (@BrentWainscott_) December 26, 2020
Jacob Toppin ends an 8-minutes stretch without a UK made field goal. The scoring droughts are like clockwork. It's so bad it's impressive.
— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) December 26, 2020
Clarke, Sarr, and Boston are as disappointing as any players Calipari has recruited at Kentucky
— Round Daddy (@JStreble82) December 26, 2020
Dontaie Allen on the bench waiting for his chance pic.twitter.com/wxI0yyrAru
— Drew Franklin (@DrewFranklinKSR) December 26, 2020
Optimism: Clarke/Boston/Sarr combined for 2 points and UK is only down 1
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) December 26, 2020
Pessimism: Why can’t Clarke/Boston/Sarr score more than 2 points?
Olivier Sarr was an all-ACC player at Wake Forest. What changed?
— Anthony Wireman (@awireman) December 26, 2020
Dickie V talking about Kentucky’s transfer big man from Wake Forest pic.twitter.com/zXeU9eqJLZ
— Cameron Newton (@morrisoncrying) December 26, 2020
BJ Boston/Terrence Clarke jumpers should go down as turnovers in the box score.
— BIG BLUE NATION #BBN (@UKBasketbalI) December 26, 2020
Sitting here at Yum watching UK and UofL to determine best team in state. Verdict is in: WKU
— Darrell Bird (@DarrellBird) December 26, 2020
Watching UK have to make a mid-range jumper to take control of this godawful basketball game is hilariously painful.
— Kal Oakes (@oaksie72) December 26, 2020
— Knoxville Mitch (@KnoxvilleMitch) December 26, 2020
— BIG BLUE NATION #BBN (@UKBasketbalI) December 26, 2020
Last trip 3 trips down the floor and @deemintz1 doesn't even touch the ball???? Are you kidding me???? https://t.co/hwwZhkQvEi
— Ryan Lemond (@ryanlemond) December 26, 2020
It is satisfying to embrace the fact that sports can’t hurt me anymore this calendar year.
— Big Blue Drew (@BigBlueDrew33) December 26, 2020
BBN, always a tough loss when it’s 2 Ville. I thought our guys fought hard for the W. We had our chances. Several guys had good moments. Harsh reality is we r 1-6 and not making much progress between games. Even bigger, fans r losing faith n the season & direction of the program.
— Roger Harden (@HardenRoger) December 26, 2020
a big reason I’m so disappointed watching this team is that EVERYONE said this summer they were going to be awesome. This team has probably taken my preseason hype joy away permanently. The most summertime hype I’ll allow myself to have going forward is cautious optimism.
— FakeBarneyKSR (@FakeBarneyKSR) December 26, 2020
Davion Mintz on Terrence Clarke:
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) December 26, 2020
"He’s battling, he's hurting right now. His body's in pain and he’s still going there and trying his hardest."
As bad as this season has been, it can be crystallized down into one thing: Kentucky isn't getting nearly the expected production from Brandon Boston, Terrence Clarke and Olivier Sarr.
— Chris Fisher (@ChrisFisher247) December 26, 2020
I mean at least Kentucky covered +4
— Dal (@dalsweatshirt) December 26, 2020
Rock bottom?
— Aaron Gershon (@agershon99) December 26, 2020
Sure, playing basketball at Kentucky is difficult. But most importantly - playing at UK is a privilege. You’re playing for every fan and for every player who’s ever played at the school. Playing “cool” isn’t an option. It’s winning or misery. And sometimes even winning is misery.
— Rex Chapman (@RexChapman) December 26, 2020
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