John Calipari explains what cost Kentucky the game against LSU

What cost Kentucky the game against LSU?

Kentucky just lost a heartbreaker to LSU as the Tigers hit a buzzer-beater. To the Wildcat's credit, they defended the final play perfectly, but a blocked shot went back to the shooter, and he tossed it up for one of his teammates to grab and quickly throw through the nylon. 

Rob Dillingham hit a clutch jumper to give Kentucky the 74-73 lead with a little over ten seconds left in the game, but LSU scored on the other end, giving them the 75-74 win. 

What was so frustrating about this game was how well the Wildcats played defensively in the first half. Kentucky held LSU to 27 points in the first half, then allowed 48 in the second. The Wildcats were up 15, then just stopped defending, letting a team with a knack for coming from behind do it once again. I am now a firm believer that this team can play defense, but they stopped at a point in the second half, and LSU made a run. 

After the game, Coach Calipari said, "50-50 balls cost us again." Kentucky did seem to lose a good amount of 50-50 balls, but this team had a 15-point lead. Many would argue that the stretch where the Wildcats stopped playing hard defense, letting LSU back in the game, cost the Wildcats the game. 

Basketball games are 40 minutes, not 20, meaning you have to defend the full game, not just for some of it. Big Blue Nation should still have some confidence in this team, but this loss hurts a lot and is extremely frustrating. 

If Kentucky would have defended like they did in the first half the whole game, they win by 20. This loss needs to be a lesson for Kentucky as they get ready for the postseason in a few weeks.