Kentucky must avoid another slow start vs. Brown: 'They're a team that can surprise you.'

We’ve already documented Kentucky’s growing (and slightly concerning) tendency this season to start games off poorly. It’s a trend that needs immediate fixing before it develops into something even worse.

The Wildcats trailed by nine points at halftime during both of its losses this season to Clemson and Ohio State. Kentucky was able to overcome a nine-point halftime deficit against Duke and a 16-point hole against Gonzaga, but going down double-digits before the game reaches its midway point is never going to be a recipe for success long-term. UK only led Colgate by two points at the half just a few weeks ago.

On Tuesday, Kentucky will host Brown before SEC play begins this weekend with No. 6 Florida coming to Lexington. It will be 10 days in between games before the ‘Cats take on the Bears after losing to Ohio State in New York City all the way back on Dec. 21. That should be more than enough time to figure out a few ways to avoid these early-game deficits moving forward.

But Kentucky can’t look too far ahead to the Gators. Although Brown will come into this matchup as a severe underdog, the Bears have proven the ability to hang with the nation’s best. Head coach Mike Martin brought a six-game winning streak into Lawrence, KS on Dec. 22 to face Kansas. Brown kept it close early. It was a tie game, 24-24, with eight minutes left in the first half before the Jayhawks pulled away for the 87-53 win.

But the final score isn’t what we’re focusing on here. Kentucky has not been good at starting games this season. Brown’s most recent game saw them compete with Kansas for the entirety of the first half. A wire-to-wire blowout victory for Kentucky would do this team (and fanbase) some good going into the toughest conference in all of college basketball. Another slow start would not be well-received.

“Brown is a really good team. They’re really scrappy. I think they’ve won six of their last seven games,” Fifth-year guard Lamont Butler said on Monday. “One of their guards, number 10, I forgot his last name — I think (Kino) Lilly? Really, really good scorer. He shoots a lot, makes a lot of 3s. The guys around him are really talented as well at getting to the rim, hitting shots, and they play well together.”

Lilly will be the toughest challenge for Kentucky. He’s been on the floor over 90 percent of the time this season, per KenPom, and is a lethal outside shooter (42.7 percent on 9.4 three-point attempts per game). The Bears like to press and will try to bump Kentucky out of rhythm from the opening tip.

“They’re moving the ball well the whole time. They press every time down the floor. I think they’re a team that can surprise you at the start of games. I think that’s what happened against Kansas,” Butler added. “Once Kansas started locking in on defense and execute, I think that’s when the game got ahead of (Brown). We’re gonna try to be like that from the jump and try to win this game easily.”

A key to making that happen? Staying true to Mark Pope‘s system. Brown ranks in the Top 20 in both defensive assist rate and defensive three-point attempts allowed. Opposing teams struggle to move the ball well and shoot from deep against the Bears. Kentucky, which desperately wants to get up more outside shots, will need to flip that narrative on its head. Attacking the paint to free up some of those looks will be baked into the game plan, but Brown is also just a sound defensive unit overall.

“They’re a great defensive team. Block a lot of shots,” Fifth-year guard Jaxson Robinson said of Brown, a Top 20 team in blocked shots (5.6 per game). “They have a really good player, number 10. I know he averages like 20 (points per game). It’s gonna be a good challenge for us especially after the Ohio State game with their good guards. Just try to run them off the line.”

Even in the event of another slow start, Kentucky should cruise against Brown. The spread opened with UK as a 22-point favorite. But this is a perfect opportunity to make adjustments and prevent slow starts before the SEC gauntlet makes life even more difficult.

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