Takeaways: Kentucky goes one and done in the SEC Tournament after a loss to Texas A&M

What can we take away from Kentucky's loss to Texas A&M?

Author:
Andrew Stefaniak
Publish date:
Mar 15, 2024 9:40 PM EDT

In this story:

The Kentucky Wildcats' trip to Nashville didn't last long, as they lost to the Texas A&M Aggies in the quarterfinals.

The Wildcat's struggles in the SEC Tournament continue, and it is becoming frustrating at this point as John Calipari can't seem to get it done in Nashville.

What can take away from Kentucky's 97-87 loss to Texas A&M in Nashville?

Kentucky got it close but couldn't get back in it

This was one of those games where Kentucky would go on a 5-0 or 4-0 run in the second half to close the gap but then couldn't seem to ever get the deficit less than five points. Every time Kentucky got a little bit of momentum and Big Blue Nation got loud, the Aggies would score a basket. The Wildcats couldn't seem to get the big basket, and this will send you home early in the NCAA Tournament as it did in Nashville.

Kentucky couldn't stop a drive

Mar 15, 2024; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Ugonna Onyenso (33) and guard Adou Thiero (3) block the shot of Texas A&M Aggies guard Manny Obaseki (35) during the first half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports — © Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

In the second half of this game, Texas A&M was putting their head down and taking the ball to the basket, and the Wildcats couldn't stop it. If Kentucky can't stop a straight-line drive, they will not make it out of the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The defense was just not good in this game. The hope was that in postseason play, the Wildcats would be able to defend with more intensity, but they couldn't do it in this ugly loss to Texas A&M.

The Aggies lived on the offensive glass

Jan 19, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari and Texas A&M Aggies head coach Buzz Williams talk prior to the start of the game at Reed Arena. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports — © Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Texas A&M finished this game grabbing 13 offensive rebounds, which isn't all that many for the Aggies, but they turned those into 26 second-chance points. What is frustrating about this is that Kentucky knew this is how the Aggies wanted to beat them, and they couldn't stop it. Game plans need to be better in the NCAA Tournament, or a team many tabbed the "wildcard" of the NCAA Tournament could be going home early.