Kentucky Basketball: Takeaways from heartbreaking loss to Louisville

Kentucky Basketball couldn’t end the losing streak this weekend against Louisville.

Kentucky Basketball entered the game at 1-5 to Louisville’s 5-1 but competed in this game every step of the way in Louisville. This rivalry game has provided a lot of exciting finishes and this one lived up to that description. However, this was a pretty ugly game from the get-go.

It featured the exasperating continuation of poor shooting from the Wildcats. Aside from two or three short spurts, the rim seemed to have been sealed shut on just about everyone but Jacob Toppin and Davion Mintz. Toppin and Mintz combined for 11-19 from the floor with 29 points. the rest of the Wildcats only shot 29% from the field (9-29) and 1-11 from three.

This is already the third loss in one-possession games for Kentucky, who just can’t seem to get the key bucket when it is needed most.

Louisville was led by their leading scorer both today and on the season, Carlik Jones. Seemingly increasing throughout the game, Jones had a 31% usage rate which was far and away the highest of the game. Jones converted some key free throws down the stretch, and five rebounds and two assists.

Kentucky went into halftime down just one point, despite shooting under 37% from the field, three-point arc, and free throw line. The Wildcats’ defensive play in the backcourt caused seven turnovers from Jones and David Johnson, a key reason they continued to stay close in this one.

The rebounding margin, especially on offense, greatly favored Kentucky. Louisville also turned the ball over more times. A lot of the tertiary stats saw the Wildcats ahead, but yet again– shooting woes keep them from taking a step forward.

There was a lot to take away and learn from this contest. Here’s a look at what we learned, and possibly how to fix, Kentucky.