Kentucky's late-game struggles resurface once again in win over Ole Miss

Kentucky’s end-of-game execution could still use some work as we inch closer and closer towards the SEC and NCAA Tournaments. The Wildcats were in control for the majority of Tuesday’s 83-72 Senior Night win over Ole Miss, but — as the team has done multiple times over the last several weeks, especially during wins — allowed the Rebels to make for some sweaty palms on the hands of the Big Blue Nation down the stretch.

With just 6:03 left in regulation against Ole Miss, which is now sitting on a 13-17 record for the year, Kentucky led by 14 points, the highest at any point of the game. But less than three minutes later, the Rebels were within six. This was a common theme of the night, actually. UK could never extend its lead to Ole Miss’ breaking point, despite leading by double-digits late in the first half and throughout portions of the second.

A similar situation happened in recent wins over LSU and Alabama, but Kentucky didn’t have TyTy Washington or Sahvir Wheeler in those outings, making the lack of late-game execution not all that shocking. However, with those two in the lineup against Ole Miss and rounding back into pre-injury form, the excuses aren’t as understandable.

But before we talk about what Kentucky didn’t do, plenty of credit is due to what Ole Miss did do. The Rebels, led by head coach Kermit Davis, shot 50 percent from the field for the entire night and even outrebounded the ‘Cats at the halftime break. Matthew Murrell exploded for 25 points on 9-16 shooting while Nysier Brooks “bullied” his way to 14 points and five rebounds against Oscar Tshiebwe. Had the Ole Miss defense been able to slow down Kentucky’s endless offensive options, it might have had a better chance at the upset.

“I don’t usually speak to the other coach, but I said that I was in the position last year that you were in, Kermit [Davis],” UK head coach John Calipari said postgame. “You’ve done a way better job than I did, and you kept your team fighting, and you got them to accept roles. They have two major injuries, or else they’re in the middle of our league or higher.

“I think he’s done a great job. They don’t quit. The only team that beat them pretty good was [Texas] A&M. Other than that, it’s a six-point game with a few minutes to go every game they play.”

Ole Miss boasts a conference record of just 4-13, which includes a win over then-ranked LSU and a closer-than-expected loss to an elite Auburn squad. As Calipari referenced, injuries to key players such as guards Daeshun Ruffin and Jarkel Joiner, along with reserve forward Robert Allen, curtailed any hope of legitimate late success this season for the Rebels. The fight Ole Miss put up against Kentucky was admirable considering the circumstances.

But on the flip side, Kentucky could have easily, and probably should have, won this game by 15 or more. Calipari’s team shot 60 percent from the field and 6-14 from 3-point range. UK grabbed six more rebounds, scored six more points in paint, turned the ball over one fewer time, and shot better from the free-throw line. And yet, the game was tight in the closing minutes.

“They beat us on the dribble, and we were spread out all over the place. I mean, they shot 50 percent against us,” Calipari added. “Now, we shot 60 against them, but they shot 50 percent against us, and that’s not who we are. The whole time I was saying that you’ve just got to guard. Then they made a couple 3s to fight.”

Simply put, Kentucky just hasn’t found ways to fend off the opponents when the win is in the bag 10 minutes out from the final buzzer. Whatever that reason is, it has yet to be identified. Now, the ‘Cats still win these games, but being clutch is going to be critical once postseason play begins. Clutch doesn’t necessarily mean making game-winning shots, but creating big moments one after another that lead to a win.

Kentucky has been hitting those big moments throughout games, but lacking them when it matters most.