Kentucky’s first true road game of the season didn’t go as planned. The Wildcats took an unblemished record into Clemson and left with a 70-66 loss in easily the worst offensive display of the season from Mark Pope‘s team. Neither side played pretty basketball, but Clemson’s first-half punches proved to be the deciding factor.
At halftime, Kentucky trailed by seven points and was getting pounded on the glass. Clemson had 10 more rebounds through 20 minutes than the Wildcats. All of the effort and hustle was trending towards the Tigers. Foul trouble limited two of UK’s starters (Lamont Butler and Andrew Carr) to just 13 combined first-half minutes. A packed crowd created a rowdy atmosphere unlike anything this team has experienced this season.
But by the time the game was over and Clemson fans rushed the floor of Littlejohn Coliseum, the stats on both sides were even in most categories. Kentucky outrebounded Clemson by 10 …