Talking points

Nerlens Noel carried UK early but Texas A&M, particularly Elston Turner, was lighting it up. There were five early ties and lead changes, but Turner put A&M up 20-16. The lead reached 29-20 and Turner equaled UK's point total. UK tried a zone and got within 31-29, but Turner's 25 had the Aggies up 36-31 at the half. Noel sparked a 12-2 run and UK regained the lead 43-42. Then it was back and forth for what looked like an exciting finish. But after UK went up 62-58, Turner exploded again and UK had no answer. The Aggies dominated down the stretch.

Telling numbers

■ UK was leading 62-58, its largest lead, with 6:12 to go. The Aggies went on a 16-1 run.

■ A&M hit 58.6 percent from the field and 71.4 percent on three-pointers in the second half.

■ A&M lost to St. Louis 70-49 and Southern 53-51.

■ UK's bench had no points, one rebound, no assists and one turnover the first half in 15 minutes of action.

■ In the first half, Turner was 10-for-13 shooting. His teammates were 4-for-17.

■ 2: The number of teams from Texas to win at UK this year. Coach John Calipari was unbeaten in his first three years here.

Thumbs up

■ Elston Turner. We haven't seen too many players light up UK in Rupp like that.

■ Nerlens Noel. You have to love his hustle and production.

Thumbs down

■ UK's early defense let Turner, A&M's leading scorer, get rolling on his way to a Jordan-esque performance. Did anyone read the scouting report?

■ Early in the year, this looked like a typical Calipari-coached UK defense. Not lately.

■ Tradition-rich Kentucky usually knows how to finish games. This team will struggle to make the Big Dance if it doesn't figure that out.