Kentucky is getting good at finishing close games

Kentucky’s 72-63 win over Ole Miss wasn’t pretty. In fact, it was quite the opposite. That first half was especially hard to watch, even if Mark Pope called it “amazing” and “incredible,” and said he “would take that every time.” For what it’s worth, I did not share that sentiment about the first 20 minutes of basketball.

That said, Kentucky won another game, the fifth in a row for Pope’s Wildcats. They grinded out a tight one that had Big Blue Nation feeling uncomfortable at times, finishing strong with a 10-3 run to win by nine. More winning plays from the Wildcats in yet another close finish in the final minutes. It’s starting to feel like more than luck.

Comfortable in close games

The last four Kentucky victories were all decided by single digits, including a couple of thrillers during the two-game road swing. Even against Ole Miss, it was a two-point game and the Rebels had the ball with under two minutes to go. But Kentucky held its opponent to one basket over the final 2:48, padding the final score to look better than the tight game that unraveled for Ole Miss late.

Collin Chandler’s three with 47 seconds left finally gave everyone permission to exhale. From there, Kentucky did what winning teams do late: made free throws and got stops. It felt more like winning than surviving.

Defense keeps them in it

Living in close games, Kentucky has leaned on its defense during scoring droughts and in the final moments. Chandler had the game-changing steal at Tennessee last weekend. Today, Kentucky held Ole Miss to only seven points over the last five minutes of the game, and the last three came in garbage time.

Ole Miss shot just 32.3% from the field in the loss. The Rebels mostly settled for low-percentage, contested, mid-range jumpers. Really poor shot selection due to UK’s defense.

Kentucky is now 8-0 this season when holding opponents under 40% shooting and 16-0 under Pope when keeping teams at 66 points or fewer.

Closers

Chandler’s clutch gene has been on display lately, beginning with the pinpoint accuracy on the full-court pass, then the steal and assist in Knoxville, the second-half surge against Texas, and now the dagger from deep. Pope said Chandler wants those moments.

Otega Oweh has also turned things up a notch in crunch time. He scored 20 points in the second half against Ole Miss, making 10 of 13 free throws.

Speaking of free throws, they’re another reason Kentucky went unbeaten at home this week. The Wildcats made 30 of 35 against Texas and 28 of 38 against Ole Miss.