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Kentucky Falls to South Carolina: Where Does Kentucky Basketball Go From Here?

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UK Athletics

After a 26-point point embarrassment on Saturday, the Kentucky Wildcats returned to Rupp Arena as a 20-points favorite to play the South Carolina Gamecocks, in what was expected to be a “pick-me-up” game.

However, that was far from the case.

The start of the game felt like a resumption of the blowout in Tuscaloosa as South Carolina built a 13-2 lead by the first media timeout. The lack of fight and effort was met with a lot of fan displeasure, as a noticeable amount of boos rang through the crowd.

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As the half progressed, Kentucky showed some life on the offensive end, led by Oscar Tshiebwe and Antonio Reeves, but failed to get consecutive stops on defense. As a result, the deficit was never really in danger and South Carolina entered the half with a 42-32 lead.

To start the second half, the Gamecocks picked up right where they left off and extended the lead to twelve with 13 minutes to go. As things started to look their bleakest, Kentucky fought back to cut the lead to just three. South Carolina answered with an 8-0 run to extend the lead back to double digits.

In a last-ditch effort, the Wildcats showed their most fight of the game and cut the lead to one after a CJ Fredrick three. However, it was all too late and Kentucky suffered one of the worst losses in recent memory, 71-68.

What went wrong?

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Poor Defense

Entering Tuesday night’s game, South Carolina came in ranked 251st in KenPom’s offensive efficiency rankings and 311th in points per game (64.3 ppg). Without that background and their burgundy jerseys, you would have thought they were the Golden State Warriors.

On the game, South Carolina was 11-19 (57.9%) from three, including Meechie Johnson who hit six threes of his own. This mark was the Gamecock’s best percentage from three on the season, besting their second-best mark by more than 10 percent (45.5%).

This isn’t a testament to an improving South Carolina offense, but rather a testament to Kentucky’s defensive struggles. Against power five opponents, the Wildcats are allowing more than 75 points per game and there appears to be little hope that will improve.

Rebounding Battle

Under John Calipari, Kentucky has consistently been a good rebounding team, and even more so with Oscar Tshiebwe on the roster. However, the Wildcats were on the losing end of the rebounding battle on Tuesday.

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It is cliché, but South Carolina was simply the tougher team, and it showed as they out-rebounded the Wildcats 32-28. Of those rebounds, fifteen came on the offensive end which led to 21 second-chance points, preventing Kentucky from ever building any momentum.

Where does Kentucky go from here?

Kentucky needed to win, and win big, to regain a sense of optimism. Instead, they lost by three to a South Carolina team that is arguably the worst in the SEC.

While a 26-point loss at Alabama was embarrassing, this game feels like rock bottom of the John Calipari era. It’s January, halfway through the season, and this team has only regressed. No longer will fans be patient when little hope has been given.

With fifteen regular season SEC games remaining, Kentucky is no closer to finding answers. Yet, with a backloaded SEC schedule, things could get even worse.

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Men's Basketball

Adou Thiero Enters Transfer Portal, Keeps Options Open

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© Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

Kentucky’s first domino of the off-season has fallen. Adou Thiero has entered the transfer portal, according to On3’s Jamie Shaw. He has entered his name in the NBA Draft as well, while not ruling out a return to Kentucky, according to KSR’s Jack Pilgrim.

A big hit to Kentucky’s upcoming roster, as Thiero’s upside and growth will be missed. In the 2023-24 season, Thiero averaged 7.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game while missing 7 games due to injury. The 6-8 wing brought physicalness that Kentucky desperately needed this season, and something Calipari has been stressing for this upcoming season. Calipari harped on him numerous times this season, saying “He’s gotten so much better.”

Thiero has jumped in mock drafts all season, and his potential is sky high. ESPN’s Jonathan Givony even had Thiero going 27th in the 2025 NBA Draft. Now, he will get to add to his potential elsewhere.

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Now, Kentucky will look to find a good replacement for him as more things start happening throughout the off-season. Calipari is continuing to meet with players to discuss their future plans throughout the week.

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John Calipari Highlights Changes for Next Season

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John Calipari draws up a play at Kentucky's season opener. Said he made a "tweak".
UK Athletics

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” – Albert Einstein.

Many Kentucky fans have referred to this quote over the last few days, expressing a desire for a change from John Calipari. However, Calipari will be back on the sidelines for the Kentucky Wildcats next season for his 16th season, confirmed by Mitch Barnhart on Tuesday.

That doesn’t mean there won’t be any changes.

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On Monday, John Calipari went on his season-ending radio show, giving his first comments to fans since Kentucky’s upset loss to Oakland last Thursday. It was easy to see why is a good recruiter, as he said all the right things.

For the better part of an hour, Calipari spoke with humility, answered some direction questions from Tom Leach, and accepted criticism. The main takeaway was that he understands that he has not met the Kentucky standard or his own standard, and changes need to take place.

“We’ve got to evaluate everything,” Calipari said. Here are some changes that have been outlined.

Getting Back to “Grinding”

Kentucky basketball offseason has often consisted of international trips to the Bahamas, or Canada last season, but not this year. Calipari emphasized a desire to get back to what his early Kentucky teams were characterized by, defense and physicality.

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“What about in the summers, instead of the Bahmas or Toronto, we’re grinding,” Calipari proposed. “We’ve got to get back to where we’ve been defensively and with physicality. Your defense steadies you.”

Those trips are good for team bonding and chemistry, but it’s clear that time can be used better for getting into the weight room and instilling defensive principles. Calipari did note that he does not want to take a step back on offense.

Getting Older

Calipari is the coach who made the “one-and-done” approach popular, relying heavily on elite freshmen. However, with college basketball getting older, he has expressed a willingness to get older.

“We’re relying on freshmen too much. In those kinds of games, you better have some vets,” Calipari said of his takeaway from Oakland. “For us, we need to get older.”

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It should be noted that Calipari relied on transfers in 2022 and 2023, albeit most not being the elite transfers, but more supporting pieces (i.e. CJ Fredrick) and developmental players (i.e. Jacob Toppin). That said, two transfers have been the leading scorer for Kentucky in three straight seasons, Oscar Tshiebwe and Antonio Reeves.

Calipari is looking more for a middle ground between young talent and transfers. “I like the combination of both. We just got to get the right transfers.”

Program Changes

When you are winning, you have more freedom, but when you have just one NCAA Tournament win in the last four seasons, you’re not going to have that luxury. This was not publicly said by Calipari, but more oversight will come as a result of his meeting with Barnhart on Tuesday afternoon.

Expect 1-2 staff changes and likely a support staff change. One of the staff changes should be filled with a defensive mind, and the support staff should be (suggestion) filled with someone in a general manager-type role. There will also be some operation changes such as having a more definitive practice schedule, rather than getting a text the day before/of, and some changes with the NIL model.

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Mitch Barnhart Speaks On John Calipari Coming Back As Kentucky Basketball Coach, “He Will Return”

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Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart confirms that John Calipari will return as Kentucky Wildcats basketball coach.
Mike Weaver/Special to the Courier Journal

After days of speculation, Kentucky Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart confirms that John Calipari will be back, coaching his 16th season for the Kentucky Wildcats. The two had a conversation at Barnhart’s farm on Tuesday afternoon.

“As we normally do at the end of every season, Coach Calipari and I have had conversations about the direction of our men’s basketball program and I can confirm that he will return for his 16th season as our head coach,” Barnhart said in a statement.

While there was some fan outcry for a head coaching change, there was no real indication that a change would be made.

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Barnhart was put in a difficult situation. Calipari has not led the Wildcats to the second round of the NCAA Tournament since 2019, but he is one of just a few active Hall of Fame coaches. With no clear option as a replacement, Barnhart decided to retain Calipari for another season.

Kentucky Insider has been told that Tuesday’s meeting between the two was “good”, despite some disagreement. As a result of the meeting, there will be some expected changes in the program, specifically some staff changes, and changes in day-to-day operations.

On Monday, Calipari recognized his shortcomings and closed out his show with a commitment to the Kentucky fans:

“That standard of national titles has been here from coach Rupp on. The only thing I am saying to all our fans. I’m going to work… That is a commitment that I give to the fans. I love it. This is what I want. This is it. Let’s come together and let’s do something.”

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Calipari is set to meet with players individually on Wednesday to discuss their stay/go decisions. The process of rebuilding next year’s roster (and staff) begins now.

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