KSR Today: Regrouping after another tough road loss

Good morning, folks! Saturday’s game in Auburn Arena was unfortunately similar to what happened a few weeks ago at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Let’s talk about it.

No. 12 Kentucky did all it could to matchup against No. 2 Auburn yesterday afternoon, but untimely injuries to TyTy Washington and Sahvir Wheeler dug UK into a hole that proved too deep to dig out of. Washington had the Wildcats humming on offense through the first 11-plus minutes of the game, as UK led by nine around the 8:20 mark of the first half.

Unfortunately, this is where the game began to mirror the road loss against LSU a few weeks back. Washington landed awkwardly on his left ankle and never returned. In the second half, Wheeler ran straight into two brick wall screens that knocked him down both times before ultimately forcing him to the bench. Once again, against a top SEC team on the road, Kentucky was down its starting backcourt.

And yet, UK still had a chance to win the game in the end. The most encouraging aspect of this 80-71 road loss was the team’s refusal to lie down and accept defeat. Kentucky battled despite being clearly overmatched without its floor generals. Had Washington and Wheeler been fully healthy, it’s reasonable to say the outcome might have gone a different direction. Hell, Oscar Tshiebwe and Kellan Grady both said in their postgame press conferences that they’re already looking forward to the rematch. And that’s exactly what the Big Blue Nation wants to hear.

Sure, losing is never fun, but losing in that situation to that caliber of team is hardly disappointing. If anything, it fuels optimism that, when healthy, this Kentucky squad has the potential to do something special.

Now let’s dive into the postgame links.

• Injuries Halt Kentucky’s Hot Start in 81-70 Loss to Auburn
• KSR’s top takeaways from Kentucky’s 80-71 loss at Auburn
• Second half offensive efficiency gives Auburn edge over Kentucky
• John Calipari did not consider playing Shaedon Sharpe at Auburn
• John Calipari on TyTy Washington, Sahvir Wheeler’s injuries
• Without TyTy Washington, Kentucky’s fast-paced offense disappeared
• Oscar Tshiebwe Screams Drowned Out on Sahvir Wheeler Screen
• Kentucky players already looking forward to potential Auburn rematch
• Despite loss, Bruce Pearl says Kentucky remains a “championship team”
• Postgame notes from Kentucky’s 80-71 loss at Auburn

WBB faces must-win against Ole Miss

Kentucky Women’s Basketball’s season is hanging in the balance. Following three disappointing blowout losses, the most recent coming at home to the unranked Florida Gators, every game moving forward is looking more and more like a must-win.

Due to COVID-19 health and safety protocol mostly beyond their control, Kentucky has actually played the fewest amount of games among any of the 14 SEC schools. It’s made developing cohesion a challenge, but the way UK has been losing these last few games paints the picture of a team that isn’t in sync or playing as hard as it could.

Today at noon, Kentucky WBB will suit up inside Rupp Arena for the second time this season, taking on the 14-2 Ole Miss Rebels, who aren’t as talented as the record might imply. Ole Miss’s last three wins have come against three of the worst teams in the conference and the Rebels hold just one victory over a top 25 opponent this season.

The goal for UK is obviously to earn the win, but at this point, playing competently and competitively appears to be the bar set for this team. And that’s a major shame too, considering UK is not far removed from beating No. 15 Georgia and taking No. 3 Louisville down to the wire on the road. Beating Ole Miss sure would be a terrific way to get back on track.

To read more on the matchup, check out Grant Grubbs’ preview right here.

NFL Divisional Playoffs

Drew Franklin’s team couldn’t get the job done on Saturday against the Bengals, nor could Aaron Rodgers against the 49ers. How will the NFL Playoffs shape up on Sunday? Former Kentucky Wildcat Mike Edwards will suit up for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

3:00 (NBC): Rams @ Buccaneers
6:30 (CBS): Bills @ Chiefs

Louisville MBB is spiraling

Nothing brings us greater joy on this here website than the Louisville Cardinals doing something bad or dumb, which happens far more often than it should.

Well, on Saturday, the Cardinals Men’s Basketball team suffered a demoralizing loss to Notre Dame that saw the Fighting Irish overcome a seven-point halftime deficit to win by 12 on the road.

Louisville fans booed head Chris Mack off the floor before one of the Cardinal players, Malik Williams, had this not-so-encouraging answer to a postgame question about whether or not the team listens to the coaching staff…

Here’s the full clip for context: https://t.co/6GzsJnbdw6 pic.twitter.com/CMVUZWakm0

— Matt McGavic (@Matt_McGavic) January 22, 2022

Yikes! That’s gonna be a freakin’ YIKES for me!

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That’s all the news I’ve got for you this morning. Tune in to the site throughout the afternoon for updates on the Kentucky WBB game along with more postgame thoughts from Saturday’s MBB loss.