Tennessee loss caps off a jarring fortnight for Kentucky

Two weeks ago, Big Blue Nation was on top of the world. Zvonimir Ivisic‘s thrilling debut was the talk of college basketball, a moment so pure and joyful it charmed even the program’s biggest skeptics. The catharsis of Big Z finally being free was matched only by the promise of what it could mean. With a 7-foot-2 basketball unicorn now available, everyone agreed that the sky was the limit for this very fun Kentucky Basketball team, and the fanbase, desperate to return to glory, couldn’t get enough.

While Big Z’s story may still find its way onto the big screen, the surrounding cast has unraveled. Since the 105-96 win over Georgia, Kentucky has lost three of four, including back-to-back games in Rupp Arena for only the sixth time in program history. The giddiness of Ivisic’s debut masked what could be this team’s Achilles’ Heel. Over the final eight minutes vs. Georgia, the Cats allowed the Bulldogs to cut a 28-point lead down to nine. At the time, we brushed off the defensive collapse as the team being wrapped up in Big Z’s big night. The outcome was solidly in hand; why spoil a storybook moment with negativity? Georgia was just getting points in garbage time, after all.

Kentucky’s flaws have been blown up for all the sport to see in the two weeks since. First, Lamont Paris — now 2-0 vs. John Calipari — laid out the blueprint to slowing Kentucky down with a 17-point victory at South Carolina. Then, the Cats faceplanted at the end of regulation vs. Florida, resulting in a 94-91 overtime Gators victory. Perhaps the most painful was Saturday’s 11-point loss to No. 5 Tennessee. Losing back-to-back games in Rupp Arena is bad enough, but last night was also the first time in the building’s history that Kentucky has allowed at least 94 points in three straight home games — all while scoring 91-plus points itself. As for Ivisic, he’s played an average of six minutes per game since his debut, the staff saying his defense needs to catch up before he gets more time on the court.

The bandaid that is the Cats’ high-flying offense has been ripped off, revealing an ugly, porous wound. What good does scoring 90-plus points do when you can’t stop the other team from doing the same? Simply trying to outscore your opponent will only get you so far, especially in March. There may be more parity than ever in college basketball this season, but relying on this team to string together enough stops to get through one game is challenging enough; having faith they can do it in consecutive outings when the season is on the line feels like a big ask.

Where does Kentucky go from here? With seven potential pros on the roster, surely a team so talented can put it together on the defensive end. Opponents regularly burn the Cats with baseline out-of-bounds plays. The lane might as well be a red carpet leading to the basket. Shooters are continually left open on the perimeter. John Calipari cites a lack of discipline and opposing players’ perpetual good luck against Kentucky. Twenty-one games into the season, those words ring hollow. Whether it be zone or pulling players who don’t defend, Kentucky needs an answer and it is running out of runway.

Health is another unfortunate, worrying factor. A lingering ankle injury has sidelined DJ Wagner for the last two games. Kentucky has lost three games without the freshman floor general, who infuses this team with toughness and leadership. Adou Thiero continues to play through his back pain. Justin Edwards is working back from a quad injury and looked better vs. Tennessee, but is still building momentum in baby steps. Something is up with Tre Mitchell, who looks like a shadow of his former self. Calipari says practices have been more physical as of late, but at what cost?

In the hours after the ugly loss, John Calipari’s reaction added insult to injury. Edwards, who has labored under high expectations more than any player on the roster, came out for his postgame radio interview with Jack Givens, telling fans still in the stands what he believes he and his teammates can do to fix their potentially fatal flaws. Edwards displayed maturity beyond his years, accepting his struggles while thanking Calipari for believing in him.

Just ten minutes later, it was assistant coach Orlando Antigua who came out to fulfill Calipari’s postgame radio obligations. After speaking with reporters in the media room, Calipari went home for the night. The move came after his repeated calls for Kentucky fans to bring energy to Rupp Arena to create a similar environment to those the Cats face on the road in the SEC night in and night out. The fans delivered, creating a raucous scene for a must-win top-ten showdown. In the final, embarrassing minutes, most hit the exits, muttering discontent. Those who stayed to hear from Calipari were left wondering why their head coach didn’t return the favor.

Can this Kentucky team turn it around in time to save the season? Yes. As Calipari said in October, this group is “Kentucky Good” when it comes to talent and chemistry. History, specifically the 2013-14 season, shows that Calipari is capable of getting young teams to buy in no matter how late it seems. However much we’d like to lean into that comparison, the 2013-14 squad ranked just outside the top 30 in defensive efficiency on KenPom. Right now, the 2023-24 squad is No. 101.

The good news is on Tuesday, Kentucky plays Vanderbilt, the worst team in the SEC, in what will likely be a very blue Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville. On Saturday, the Cats host a struggling Gonzaga team and a few days later, Ole Miss, before going into a Tiger’s den at No. 16 Auburn. If you’re going to build momentum, now is the time. Games vs. Auburn, Alabama, at Mississippi State, and at Tennessee all loom, all opportunities to improve or damage the NCAA Tournament resume.

This team has proven with its offense that it can beat anyone; to avoid another depressing, potentially pivotal March, the defense needs to prove it can’t lose to anyone as well.