John Calipari questions will of team following loss to Georgia

An up-and-down season for Kentucky took another turn Saturday at the Wildcats fell to Georgia 75-68 in Athens. John Calipari didn’t mince words after the game, either.

Calipari lamented some important mistakes Kentucky made en route to its ninth loss of the season and its fifth in SEC play. He also acknowledged players such as Antonio Reeves and Chris Livingston played more than expected because of the Wildcats’ struggles.

“We had two breakdowns defensively that led to six points. And they were critical,” Calipari said. “We get up four and I got to go back, because I thought we got great looks. We miss, they make. I call it a will to win. You can’t lose a ball in a three-point game. I am not losing it when we lose it. There was some good stuff.

“But played Antonio too many minutes. Had no choice. Played Chris Livingston too many minutes. I tried to get him out and one play cost us three points. Adou in the first half, played well. Cason fouls twice, kind of reminded me of Alabama. … Then, being shorthanded. I know that will be said publicly around the nation, ‘Well, they had two guys out.’ No, it won’t, but that’s OK.”

John Calipari on the loss to Georgia: ‘My teams win that game’

Calipari stayed less than five minutes to take questions in his postgame presser. But during his brief time speaking, the coach delivered a clear message.

Calipari made his frustrations known, saying his Kentucky team should have won after battling back from a 10-point deficit in the second half to take the lead.

“Let me give Georgia credit,” he said. “Mike (White) had them ready. They physically — (Kario) Oquendo just went right right at people’s shoulder. Had 20 at half. We did what we do. We came back in the second half. We’re up four. All right. My teams win that game. What happened? Well, I have a couple guys out. So it made a difference maybe. But give Georgia all the credit. They deserve it.”

On3’s Chandler Vessels contributed to this report.