Kentucky Basketball: 3 takeaways from Wildcats home loss to Richmond

Kentucky Basketball falls to unranked Richmond at home. What are the takeaways from this game for the Wildcats?

Kentucky Basketball has been known for having a load full of one and done players and high NBA draft picks. However, the Wildcats didn’t produce a lottery pick last year and may be in line for just one this year, with Brandon Boston Jr. Richmond might be among the most experienced team in CFB with all four of their leading scorers from their win over Morehead State being seniors.

Olivier Sarr, a transfer from Wake Forest would get going early for Kentucky as he would score the first four points for the Wildcats, while also being a presence on the glass. He and Boston would carry the majority of a load, with an 8-7 heading into the first media timeout. Kentucky would struggle early from the free throw line, missing their first three.

Richmond would stay with the Wildcats as Nathan Cayo led the way with seven as it is still a 17 all game toward the back half of the first 20 minutes. One of Calipari’s own in former #7 recruit in the last class in Boston would make some buckets right before the half to keep the Wildcats ahead.

His confidence in his shot and athletic ability to drive makes him so good. He and Sarr would carry the load, scoring 26 of the Wildcats 32 points in the first half. Kentucky outrebounded the Spiders by 10 and shot an efficient 45% from the field. However, 10 turnovers and zero three-pointers kept the Spiders in it as Kentucky had just a four-point lead.

Both teams would push and dynamic plays. Anytime Kentucky would get ahead, Richmond would respond with excellent play from G Jacob Gilyard. Although Gilyard had missed his first seven, a tough layup and steal, assist scenario would put Richmond up, 39-36.

The Spider’s foul woes would stack up as both Grant Golden and Gilyard would pick up their 3rd foul a few minutes into the second half. The favorites to win the A-10 would hang around, making smart defensive plays and forcing Kentucky to not shoot the three.

Adversity hit Kentucky square in the mouth as a Cayo lineup and three-pointer from Blake Francis would force a UK timeout and the biggest lead of the day for Richmond with seven. Although Francis has been nothing short of efficient (4-15 from the field), he led the way with 13 points, alongside a more efficient Cayo with 14.

Kentucky could not respond coming out of the timeouts as turnovers and experience would overwhelm the Wildcats. Four seniors and forcing a plethora of turnovers was the downfall for the Wildcats as they fell apart and would lose, 76-64

Boston would finish as the team leading scorer with 20 points and Sarr would record his first double-double as a Wildcat with 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Francis and Cayo would add 18 and Although only having Six points, Gilyard would be the swiss army knife with six assists and five steals.