Kentucky Basketball Finding Its Groove at the Right Time
Don’t look now, but Kentucky men’s basketball is heating up-and doing it in crunch time. The Wildcats have strung together three straight wins, and it’s not just who they’ve beaten-it’s how they’ve done it.
A dominant home win over Mississippi State set the tone, but it was the gritty road wins at LSU and then-No. 24 Tennessee that really turned heads.
This team is learning how to close.
Now, let’s be real: Kentucky hasn’t exactly made life easy for Big Blue Nation this season. Slow starts have been a recurring theme, and you can almost hear the collective groans echoing through Rupp Arena when the first halves go sideways.
But credit where it’s due-John Calipari’s squad has been making the right halftime adjustments, and more importantly, they’re hitting shots when it matters most. That’s the kind of growth you want to see as the calendar creeps toward March.
And here’s the kicker: they’re doing it without their floor general. Freshman point guard Jaland Lowe is out for the season after shoulder surgery, a blow that could’ve derailed a team still finding its identity.
Instead, Kentucky’s ball movement has improved. The offense is flowing, and different guys are stepping up.
That’s the mark of a team figuring itself out-and doing it under pressure.
Now comes a critical stretch. Kentucky’s got back-to-back home games against unranked Texas and Ole Miss.
On paper, these are games the Wildcats should win. But in a conference as unpredictable as the SEC, nothing is guaranteed.
Handle business, though, and there’s a strong chance we see Kentucky climbing back into the AP Top 25.
The advanced metrics are already showing love. DRatings bumped the Wildcats from No. 29 to No.
- Haslametrics nudged them from No. 25 to No.
- EvanMiya has them holding steady at No.
- The numbers suggest what the eye test is starting to confirm: this team is trending in the right direction.
Kentucky hosts Texas on Wednesday at 7 PM ET (SEC Network), followed by Ole Miss on Saturday at Noon ET (ESPN). These aren’t just tune-ups-they’re opportunities to solidify momentum and prove this recent run is no fluke.
Women’s Team Faces Setback, Looks to Regroup
On the women’s side, it was a tale of two games this past week. Kentucky picked up a solid win over Florida, but couldn’t carry that momentum into Sunday’s matchup at Mississippi State. The Wildcats fell 71-59 in a tough road loss, with Teonni Key still sidelined due to a dislocated elbow.
Key’s absence continues to loom large. She brings size, toughness, and experience-three things you can’t easily replace. And while Kentucky showed flashes of resilience, the loss to an unranked Bulldogs squad is likely to cost them a few spots in the national rankings.
Head coach Kenny Brooks now turns the page to a challenging week ahead. First up: a road test at Tennessee on Thursday (6:30 PM ET, SEC Network), followed by a home game against Georgia on Sunday (Noon ET, SEC Network). These are big swing games for a team that’s shown promise but is still searching for consistency.
Around the Bluegrass and Beyond
- Injured DeLeye Was All-In All Season for Cats - A reminder of the grit and commitment it takes to wear the blue and white. Tough as nails.
- Big Ten, SEC Still Deadlocked on CFP Format - The College Football Playoff expansion talks continue, but don’t expect a resolution just yet.
Expansion feels inevitable, but the details are still murky.
- Johnson Was Ready To Shine When His Time Came - And shine he did. Now the question is: will we see more of him?
- Ja Morant Returns for Grizzlies, Says He Wants to Stay in Memphis - The former Murray State star is back in action. Trade buzz is swirling, but Morant says he’s focused on staying put.
- Louisville Adds Another Former Wildcat from the Transfer Portal - That one stings. Kentucky fans won’t love seeing another former Cat land with the rival Cards.
- One More Year for Aaron? - The whispers are growing louder. Could we see him back in Lexington for another run?
- Kentucky: The Top 3-Point Shooting Team in SEC Play - That’s not just a stat-it’s a weapon. When the shots are falling, this team is dangerous.
- Ryan Staub Says He’s Joining Tennessee - The quarterback could be a factor in Knoxville sooner rather than later.
Bottom Line
The Kentucky men’s team is starting to look like a squad that’s figured out how to win close games-something that could pay major dividends in March. The women’s team is battling through adversity and still very much in the mix.
With key matchups looming for both programs, this week could go a long way in shaping how the rest of the season unfolds. Stay tuned.