Season of surprises now includes UK’s loss at buzzer to South Carolina
Kentucky led for more than 35 minutes at South Carolina on Wednesday night. South Carolina took its first lead with 3:41 left. And in a season marked by the improbable, Kentucky lost 81-78.
Foul trouble for UK and South Carolina’s startling improvement in shooting in the second half contributed to the outcome. Nick Richards, who had posted seven double-doubles this season (three in the last four games), played less than 24 minutes.
South Carolina made only nine of 37 shots in the first half, but it made 20 of 36 in the second.
Redshirt freshman Jermaine Couisnard won it with a three-pointer at the buzzer. He finished with a game-high 26 points. Immanuel Quickley, who led UK with 20 points, had tied it with 4.1 seconds left.
No one’s perfect …
Not even Quickley shooting free throws. He missed one with 15:49 left. He came into the game ranked fifth nationally in free-throw shooting (94.3 percent). It was only the fourth game this season he has missed a free throw.
Road warriors
Going into the game, Kentucky had a 56-33 record on SEC road during Calipari’s time as coach. That included a 4-3 record at South Carolina. Those records fell to 56-34 overall and 4-4 in Columbia.
UK’s only losing records in that time have come at Arkansas (2-3) and Tennessee (3-6). UK plays at Arkansas on Saturday.
NET gain
South Carolina had a NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) rating of No. 121. Among SEC teams, only Texas A&M (No. 122) and Vanderbilt (No. 132) had a lower NET.
By NET numbers, Kentucky’s immediate schedule ahead represents a step upward. Saturday’s opponent, Arkansas, has the second-best NET among SEC teams at No. 24. Only Auburn at No. 6 has a better NET.
Next week’s opponents, Georgia and Texas Tech, have NET ratings of 54 and 32, respectively.
Next game
No. 10 Kentucky at Arkansas
4 p.m. Saturday (ESPN)
This story was originally published January 15, 2020 at 9:02 PM.
