Sestina sees Kentucky bouncing back from loss: ‘We’re a tough team’
After the 81-78 loss at South Carolina on Wednesday, Nate Sestina spoke confidently of Kentucky being resilient and able to learn from the defeat and move forward.
Sestina cited a recent example from earlier this season to make this point.
“I think we’re a tough team,” he said. “I think we’ve proven that a little bit. We lost two in Vegas and came back and won.”
Kentucky lost to Utah and No. 5 Ohio State in Las Vegas the week before Christmas.
Then UK bounced back by defeating No. 3 Louisville and then began Southeastern Conference play with victories against Missouri and Alabama sandwiched around a road win at Georgia.
“A couple of good days of practice and beat Louisville, which is a good team,” Sestina said of the immediate aftermath of the losses in Las Vegas. “I think that kind of shows how tough we are.
“This is just another opportunity for us to (mourn) for 24 hours, and then just get back after it.”
UK Coach John Calipari spoke more cautiously about his team’s ability to prevent the loss from impacting future games.
When asked about this Kentucky team’s resiliency, Calipari said, “I have no idea. I still have to watch this tape to see how I really feel about how we played.”
Calipari said he liked UK’s first-half performance at South Carolina. But he lamented UK’s inability to put the Gamecocks away after leading by 14 with about 15 minutes left.
In contrast, Sestina spoke of the Cats learning lessons.
“Tomorrow is a new day,” he said. “Today is in the past. The game’s over. Can’t do anything about it now. The outcome is what it is.
“For us to move forward, we have to forget about it. Tomorrow (we) watch film. See what we can do to get better and move forward.”
Baskets equal minutes
Without mentioning any names, Calipari linked poor shooting as a hindrance to gaining more playing time.
“Guys who want more minutes, and when you look at it, we had three guys go 2-for-13,” the UK coach said. “And they’re all trying to get more minutes.”
Coincidentally or not, EJ Montgomery (1-for-4), Keion Brooks (0-for-5) and Kahlil Whitney (1-for-4) combined to make two of 13 shots.
“Well, you’re 2-for-13, and we’re trying to win,” Calipari said as if justifying Brooks and Whitney playing 13 and 10 minutes, respectively.
“And those guys have got to figure it out, you know. ‘Where can I make baskets and free throws?’”
Maxey hobbled
Tyrese Maxey was handicapped in trying to defend Jermaine Couisnard, Calipari said.
“What hurt us was the pick-and-roll,” the UK coach said. “Tyrese, he was hurt. His leg, he couldn’t move. And he was hitting into that screen.”
When UK switched on the pick-and-roll and had Nick Richards take on Couisnard, the South Carolina guard was quick enough to beat the taller defender to the basket, Calipari said.
Couisnard scored 26 points and made the game-winning three-point basket at the buzzer.
Hagans struggles
For a second straight season, Ashton Hagans struggled against South Carolina. He committed five turnovers, which was one shy of a season high.
Against the Gamecocks last season, Hagans had six turnovers.
No one’s perfect …
Not even Immanuel Quickley shooting free throws. He missed a free throw with 15:49 left. He came into the game ranked fifth nationally in free-throw shooting (94.3 percent). It was only the fourth time this season he has missed a free throw.
Road warriors
Going into Wednesday night, Kentucky had a 56-33 record in SEC road games 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.
“It gets no easier,” Calipari said. “Every road game you play in this league is a hard game. And this was a hard game.”
NET gain
South Carolina had an NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) rating of No. 121 entering Wednesday’s game. 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. 13 has a better NET.
Next week’s opponents, Georgia and Texas Tech, have NET ratings of 55 and 33, respectively.
Kentucky fell from No. 26 to No. 35 in the NET ratings after Wednesday’s loss.
South Carolina rose from 121 to 109.
Next game
No. 10 Kentucky at Arkansas
When: 4 p.m. EST Saturday
TV: ESPN
Radio: WLAP-AM 630, WBUL-FM 98.1
Records: Kentucky 12-4 (3-1 SEC), Arkansas 14-2 (3-1)
Series: Kentucky leads 32-11.
Last meeting: Kentucky won 70-66 on Feb. 26, 2019, in Rupp Arena.
This story was originally published January 15, 2020 at 11:53 PM.
