This game may have started a 5 game losing streak.  The next 4 aren't going to be much easier.

1 hour ago, bugatti said:

Like the KU game, I felt Arkansas treated this as a kitchen sink game, pulling out all the stops and going for it as both had the down arrow next to their names when coming to Rupp. Unlike the KU game, I left this game feeling much more dejected. I expected KU to win and was not shocked. Arkansas didn't just win, it was a dismantling, if we are being honest. 

The whole premise around this game was for these teams was not just a conference game but a big win for that team as well as getting off that last 4 bye line.  This Kentucky team, with the exception of the Tenn. game has not been able to elevate themselves to win the game or games that will help them at seasons end.  Next 2 games should be wins.  The Tenn. Auburn and Arkansas games are the elevation games for them.  Florida is a necessity game since realistically I doubt they make tourney.  

9 minutes ago, brown4 said:

This game may have started a 5 game losing streak.  The next 4 aren't going to be much easier.

Let's go one game at a time. This time a month ago people would have said UK would be on a 12 game losing streak at this point.

Tonight was the second worst home loss of the John Calipari Era, behind a 20-point loss to Alabama in 2021.

5 hours ago, futurecoach said:

They actually did try some of the things you suggested and nothing worked. Point blank they just suck at defense all the way around, and the blame goes to everyone for that. Which Cal does get blame for how bad they been on defense this year. They have been bad, and even when they may have had a good defensive possession last night, Arkansas still found away to hit tough shots. 
 

Plus didn’t help that the offense had turnovers that led to easy fast break points for Arkansas. Especially the three back to back steals Arkansas got to start the second half. That turned a one point game into a 7 point game after just one minute to start the second half. 

They are bottom 4 in the SEC in FG% allowed.  They are a bad defensive team.

7 hours ago, nikeman49 said:

Was there any defensive changes during the game to try and slow this hot shooting team down? Full court pressure? Back to back timeouts usually is a rhythm buster, any of that? Half court trapping on defense to change the look? The answer would be no!!! Then why was Cal even sitting on the bench than?

Wrong. As futurecoach responded, Cal did try zone, pressure, double team trap, different players. This post is what often discredits your opinions and posts on Cal and UK. Criticism of Cal is often warranted. It is important for credibility to make the criticisms accurate and factual.

3 hours ago, Matney said:

Tshiebwe Is about to go from NPOY to not making the All SEC Team. Teams have figured him out. They play behind him in the post to help eliminate his offensive rebounds and easy put backs while forcing him to try and score over the top of superior athletes and he is not capable. 
 

Collins gives us something Oscar can’t and while we need Oscar’s rebounding he can’t be such a liability on defense while not a threat on offense. 

Collins played well and I would have liked more minutes from him last night. Unfortunately Collins was as bad as Oscar on defense. Maybe that defense improves with more minutes.

I think it's pretty clear this team just isn't very good.  As of now, Wallace is the only player on the roster, in my opinion, that will have any type of meaningful NBA career.  Others might get to the league but I feel their time will be short.   

37 minutes ago, Irish Cat said:

I think it's pretty clear this team just isn't very good.  As of now, Wallace is the only player on the roster, in my opinion, that will have any type of meaningful NBA career.  Others might get to the league but I feel their time will be short.   

The crux of the matter.

5 hours ago, Matney said:

Tshiebwe Is about to go from NPOY to not making the All SEC Team. Teams have figured him out. They play behind him in the post to help eliminate his offensive rebounds and easy put backs while forcing him to try and score over the top of superior athletes and he is not capable. 
 

Collins gives us something Oscar can’t and while we need Oscar’s rebounding he can’t be such a liability on defense while not a threat on offense. 

Just last week Cal said he needed to play Collins more, last night it was less even though he played well, in a previous life I know absolutely Cal was PT Barnum!!

9 hours ago, MJAlltheWay24 said:

Tshiebwe sure is struggling as of late.

Dare I say, they sure seemed to miss Wheeler?

I don't think Oscar is 100%.  I also think long athletic teams realize the best way to minimize his impact on the game is to attack him near the basket. 

Does anyone but me seem amazed at how fundamentally UNSOUND so many of these guys that UK recruits seem to be? They have no concept(nor desire to learn) how a good player defends, hedges, guards ball screens, etc. Maybe they'll get it together.

12 minutes ago, 9068 said:

Does anyone but me seem amazed at how fundamentally UNSOUND so many of these guys that UK recruits seem to be? They have no concept(nor desire to learn) how a good player defends, hedges, guards ball screens, etc. Maybe they'll get it together.

By this time in the season, they should have been taught these basic defensive techniques.

So 1-7 with quad one games, just tells me one basic thing, Cal isn’t doing his job with the better teams, this shouldn’t surprise anyone but some still will defend.

I may be wrong or it may never come out but I think they're is something internally wrong with this team. Maybe the players don't get along or maybe the coach drives the players crazy. I could see a big difference in the effort the Arkansas players put forth as opposed to the Cats last night. This team hasn't`t improved the way they should have this year.