Kentucky basketball had a chance to win or tie Saturday’s game against Gonzaga with less than 10 seconds remaining. The Wildcats completely squandered their opportunity with an ugly possession.
It was a statement road win for the visiting Bulldogs and a disappointing loss for the home team. They fell to 16-7 on the season. Big Blue Nation is frustrated. Many fans in Lexington are calling for John Calipari to be fired because of his team’s inability to win close games.
A new video compilation really puts the struggles in perspective. Kentucky has had 27 chances to either win or tie the game in the final moments. The Wildcats have made a shot just one time. 25 of the 27 possessions involved a turnover or a miss. One resulted in free throws.
Here’s how it breaks down:
- Kansas 65 — Kentucky 62, MISS
- Notre Dame 64 — Kentucky 63, MISS
- Louisville 60 — Kentucky 59, MISS
- Louisville 62 — Kentucky 59, MISS
- Georgia 63 — Kentucky 62, MISS
- Florida 67 — Kentucky 65, MISS
- Auburn 77 — Kentucky 77, MAKE!
- Mississippi State 74 — Kentucky 73, MISS
- Notre Dame 64 — Kentucky 72, MISS
- LSU 61 — Kentucky 60, TURNOVER
- LSU 63 — Kentucky 60, TURNOVER
- Mississippi State 72 — Kentucky 72, MISS
- Arkansas 73 — Kentucky 70, MISS
- St. Peter’s 71 — Kentucky 71, MISS
- Michigan State 62 — Kentucky 62, MISS
- Michigan State 71 — Kentucky 71, MISS
- South Carolina 71 — Kentucky 68, TURNOVER
- South Carolina 71 — Kentucky 68, MISS
- South Carolina 71 — Kentucky 68, MISS
- South Carolina 71 — Kentucky 68, MISS
- Vanderbilt 68 — Kentucky 66, MISS
- Kansas 87 — Kentucky 84, MISS
- Texas A&M 87 — Kentucky 87, TURNOVER
- Texas A&M 89 — Kentucky 87, FOULED!
- Florida 84 — Kentucky, TURNOVER
- Gonzaga 86 — Kentucky 84, MISS
It paints a pretty grim picture.
There is no way to discredit Calipari’s success as a college hoops coach. However, if there was, that video compilation is it. Kentucky basketball repeatedly fails to win games where they can win or tie on the final possession.