4 Key Areas Kentucky Must Improve After Falling to Clemson

December 13, 2024 – Lexington, KY – In what could only be described as a frustrating and disappointing night for the University of Kentucky basketball program, the Wildcats fell 74-68 to the Clemson Tigers on Wednesday at Rupp Arena. The loss marked Kentucky’s third defeat of the season, and for the first time in several years, fans are beginning to question the Wildcats’ ability to compete at a national level consistently.

While the Wildcats have the talent to compete with the best in the country, their performance against Clemson was far from reassuring. The Tigers, an ACC team with a strong defensive reputation, played disciplined basketball, taking advantage of Kentucky’s struggles in several key areas. With the loss, Kentucky’s record now stands at 10-3, and while it’s still early in the season, the defeat exposed some glaring weaknesses that head coach John Calipari and his staff must address immediately.

Here are four crucial areas that Kentucky must improve on if they want to make a run for a national championship come March:

1. Defensive Consistency and Discipline

Kentucky’s defense has long been a cornerstone of John Calipari’s philosophy, but against Clemson, the Wildcats’ defensive lapses were apparent from start to finish. The Tigers, known for their balanced and methodical approach on offense, took full advantage of Kentucky’s porous defense, especially in transition and off the dribble.

Key Problems:

• Late Closeouts on Shooters: Clemson’s perimeter shooters were given far too much space throughout the game. Senior guard Brevin Galloway, who entered the game shooting 35% from three-point range, torched the Wildcats for several key three-pointers, finishing with 18 points and 4 assists. Kentucky’s defenders failed to contest shots with urgency, allowing Clemson to shoot 40% from beyond the arc.
• Lack of Communication: There were numerous instances where Kentucky’s defenders looked confused in switching assignments or positioning themselves to guard off the ball. On several occasions, Clemson was able to exploit mismatches, especially in pick-and-roll situations, where Kentucky’s big men appeared slow to react.
• Transition Defense: While Clemson’s offense is often deliberate, they were able to score easy buckets in transition following Kentucky’s missed shots and turnovers. The Wildcats were consistently late getting back on defense, allowing the Tigers to get high-percentage looks in the open floor.

What Needs to Improve: Kentucky’s defense has to return to the level of intensity and discipline that has made them one of the nation’s elite defensive teams in recent years. More communication, faster rotations, and tighter perimeter defense will be key moving forward. While the Wildcats have the size and athleticism to be one of the best defensive teams in the country, they need to be more locked in mentally.

2. Turnovers and Ball Security

Turnovers have been a consistent issue for Kentucky this season, but they reached a new level of concern against Clemson. The Wildcats turned the ball over 17 times, leading to 19 points off turnovers for the Tigers. Kentucky’s sloppy ball handling, especially in the second half, allowed Clemson to stay in the game and create momentum, even when the Wildcats had opportunities to build a lead.

Key Problems:

• Forced Passes: Several of Kentucky’s turnovers came from players trying to force passes that weren’t there. Whether it was trying to thread the needle in traffic or overestimating the defense’s reaction time, the Wildcats’ guards and forwards committed careless errors that ended up in fast breaks the other way.
• Overdribbling: Freshman guard Jordan Edwards, who has been one of the Wildcats’ primary ball handlers this season, struggled to manage the pace of the game. At times, he seemed to overdribble, losing control of the ball or forcing difficult shots, leading to turnovers in crucial moments.
• Lack of Offensive Flow: Kentucky’s offensive sets were often disrupted by Clemson’s pressure defense, forcing the Wildcats into rushed decisions. The inability to handle defensive pressure led to uncharacteristic mistakes, including traveling violations, deflected passes, and rushed shots.

What Needs to Improve: Kentucky’s guards, in particular, need to do a better job of controlling the tempo and protecting the ball. The Wildcats have the talent to run an efficient offense, but they need to focus on limiting unforced errors. As the season progresses, finding a balance between aggressive playmaking and patience will be essential for Kentucky’s success.

3. Shooting Inconsistency

Kentucky’s shooting woes were another significant factor in the loss to Clemson. The Wildcats shot just 39% from the field and 28% from three-point range. Despite having the size advantage inside, Kentucky often struggled to score efficiently and failed to knock down open shots when they needed them most.

Key Problems:

• Inefficient Shooting from Star Players: While Jordan Edwards and Kellan Brooks are both capable of being Kentucky’s go-to scorers, they struggled to find their rhythm. Edwards shot just 5-of-14 from the field, and Brooks, despite his strong rebounding effort (8 rebounds), only managed 12 points on 4-of-11 shooting. Kentucky’s star players must perform more efficiently, especially in tight games like this one.
• Three-Point Struggles: The Wildcats’ inability to knock down perimeter shots continues to be a concern. They shot just 5-for-18 from three against Clemson, with several open attempts clanking off the rim. Teams that can defend the paint and contest Kentucky’s three-point shooting can force them into offensive stagnation. Edwards, who has been one of the team’s most reliable shooters, missed several wide-open looks from deep.
• Lack of Offensive Flow: Kentucky’s offensive execution was also lacking. There were too many isolation plays, with players relying on individual efforts rather than running team-oriented sets. This led to poor shot selection and a lack of ball movement.

What Needs to Improve: The Wildcats must work on creating more open looks for their shooters and develop more fluidity in their offense. Edwards and Brooks will need to be more efficient in creating scoring opportunities, and the team as a whole must shoot with more consistency. Adding more variety to the offense, including better off-the-ball movement and pick-and-roll execution, will help Kentucky become a more dangerous offensive team.

4. Clutch Play and Closing Games

As the game wound down, Kentucky’s inability to close out Clemson was a glaring issue. Despite holding a lead late in the second half, the Wildcats faltered in key moments. Clemson took control with about three minutes left, and Kentucky simply couldn’t respond.

Key Problems:

• Failure to Execute Late: With just over two minutes left and the score tied at 68, Kentucky had several chances to pull ahead, but they missed key free throws, took poor shots, and failed to get key stops on defense. The inability to execute down the stretch is something Kentucky can’t afford if they plan on competing with the nation’s best teams.
• Lack of Leadership in Crunch Time: In previous seasons, Kentucky has leaned on veteran leadership to close games, but in this matchup, there was no clear go-to player to step up in the clutch. Brooks and Edwards, both experienced players, struggled to take control when the game was on the line.
• Free Throw Woes: Kentucky’s struggles at the free-throw line were another factor in their inability to close out the game. They shot just 67% from the line (12-of-18), which is far below the standard that the Wildcats expect. In a tight game, missed free throws can prove costly.

What Needs to Improve: Kentucky needs to develop a clearer offensive identity in clutch situations. They must become more efficient in late-game execution, whether it’s running set plays, getting to the free-throw line, or simply playing smarter basketball in high-pressure moments. Developing a consistent closer and relying on veteran leadership down the stretch will be critical as the Wildcats prepare for tougher challenges ahead.

Conclusion

The loss to Clemson was a wake-up call for Kentucky, one that revealed several weaknesses the team must address before they can realistically compete for a national championship. While the Wildcats have the talent to be one of the top teams in the country, their struggles in defense, ball security, shooting efficiency, and closing out games all contributed to this disappointing defeat.

John Calipari and his staff will need to make adjustments and refocus as they prepare for upcoming matchups. The Wildcats have the tools to improve, but it will require a commitment to consistency, discipline, and execution in all areas of the game.

For now, Kentucky’s focus must shift to bouncing back in their next contest, ensuring that these issues are addressed before the heart of their conference schedule and the NCAA tournament loom on the horizon.