Takeaways: Kentucky goes one and done in the SEC Tournament after a loss to Texas A&M
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
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
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.
What's next?
The Kentucky Wildcats will wait to hear where they will head for the NCAA Tournament on Selection Sunday.