Kentucky’s First-Half Woes Are Holding Them Back - And the Numbers Don’t Lie
There’s something puzzling going on with Kentucky basketball this season, and it starts right from the opening tip. For whatever reason, this team just can’t seem to get going in the first 20 minutes - and it’s costing them.
The numbers, especially in Power 5 matchups, paint a pretty stark picture: Kentucky is digging holes early and relying on second-half surges to climb back out. That’s not a sustainable formula, especially as conference play heats up.
Let’s get into it.
In 10 games against Power 5 opponents, Kentucky has been outscored by a staggering 89 points in the first half. That’s not just a slow start here and there - that’s a trend. That’s a team consistently showing up flat, disconnected, and, frankly, unprepared to compete from the jump.
We’ve seen glimpses of what this team can be when it flips the switch. Comebacks against Indiana and St.
John’s proved they have the talent and the fight to claw their way back. But how often can you count on that?
In college basketball - especially against high-level opponents - playing from behind is a dangerous game. You can’t keep spotting teams double-digit leads and expect to win consistently.
What’s going wrong early? It’s not just about missed shots or cold shooting stretches.
It’s the energy - or lack of it. The movement is sluggish.
Cuts aren’t sharp. Communication on defense is inconsistent.
It’s almost like they’re waiting for something to wake them up. Unfortunately, that something often comes in the form of a halftime deficit.
But then... something shifts.
In those same 10 Power 5 games, Kentucky is +55 in the second half. That’s a massive swing.
The ball starts moving with purpose. The defense tightens up.
The team looks connected, aggressive, and engaged. It’s like watching a completely different squad take the floor after the break.
Sure, some of that second-half surge could be attributed to opponents easing off the gas with a lead. But it’s more than that.
You can see it in the way Kentucky plays - the urgency, the intensity, the execution. They’re not just hanging around; they’re taking control.
And it begs the question: where is that team to start games?
That’s the challenge now. If Kentucky wants to be taken seriously in the national conversation - and if they want to make real noise come March - they’ve got to find a way to bottle that second-half energy and bring it from the opening tip.
Because against the best teams in the country, you don’t get to play catch-up. You either come out swinging or you get buried.
Otega Oweh recently said the team is going to be “good.” We’ll see soon enough - with Tennessee up next, there’s no better time for Kentucky to prove they can play a full 40 minutes.
Not just respond. Not just rally.
But dictate.
Because if this team ever figures out how to start games the way they finish them? Watch out.