Reed Sheppard, Tre Mitchell break down the lessons learned from Texas A&M loss

Kentucky‘s stay in Nashville for the SEC Tournament was short-lived after falling to Texas A&M 97-87 in their quarterfinal matchup on Friday.

The Wildcats’ season-long defensive issues were on display during the matchup — and for one of the few times this season, the Kentucky offense wouldn’t be able to make up for it. Veteran forward Tre Mitchell provided an explanation after that game.

“I think it kind of comes back to things we dealt with earlier in the season. We’re a completely different team when we don’t move the basketball,” Mitchell said. “I think this is just kind of emphasizing that for us. When we get to look at the tape, I think that’s something we’ll see immediately. I’m sure that will be something emphasized moving forward in practicing and preparing for March.”

Mitchell provided Kentucky 21 minutes off the bench during the loss, scoring seven points and nine rebounds before fouling out late in the second half.

Reed Sheppard, the SEC Freshman of the Year, was on the court more than any other Wildcat during the game (32 minutes) and helped contribute 14 points and four assists. The projected lottery pick wants to move on, put the win behind him and just get back on the floor with his teammates. The Bluegrass native isn’t panicking heading into selection Sunday.

“Just like what Tre said, we’ll get back to Lexington, watch the game, get in the gym,” Sheppard said. “We’ll just continue to work on it and continue to get prepared for the next game.

“We’re excited. We’re a fun group. I love all the guys. We got a really good team. We’re all really, really close. We want to win. No one likes losing. We’re all excited to learn from this and get back home and get working again.”

While it’s not always a bad thing to have a few extra days of rest ahead of the NCAA Tournament, the Wildcats have been idle — apart from their one and done loss to the Aggies — for the most part of conference tournament week. With a myriad of upsets and big wins across the board, teams have moved up, down and around Kentucky in ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi’s latest projections.

Heading into the SEC Tournament, Lunardi projected the Wildcats as high as a three-seed. As of Sunday, they’re a four-seed with the potential of being listed as a five-seed. Kentucky is Lunardi’s No. 16 overall seed, however, their fate won’t be official until the selection committee’s bracket is revealed on Sunday evening.