LEXINGTON, Ky. – A late rally fell short for Kentucky as the Wildcats suffered an 86-78 upset loss to Georgia at Rupp Arena on Tuesday night. The defeat drops Kentucky to 17-9 overall and 8-5 in Southeastern Conference play, while Georgia improves to 18-8 and 6-7 in league action.
The Bulldogs showcased a versatile attack, capable of deploying a formidable front line or spreading the floor with four guards, a point emphasized by Kentucky coach Mark Pope. However, it was the presence of Georgia sophomore center Somto Cyril that particularly caught Pope’s attention. “If he’s not the biggest player in the league, he’s close to it,” Pope said of the 6-foot-11, 260-pound Cyril. “He’s an elite-level offensive rebounder. He’s causing some real pain in there.”
Cyril, a former Kentucky commit who decommitted following John Calipari’s departure for Arkansas, proved to be a disruptive force. He leads the SEC in blocked shots with 2.52 per game, ranking 10th nationally, and is shooting a remarkable 74.8% from the field this season.
The game saw multiple shifts in momentum. Kentucky led for a significant portion of the first half, but a stretch of seven turnovers leading to 10 Georgia points allowed the Bulldogs to take a lead into the intermission. Otega Oweh led the Wildcats with 12 points in the first half, while Jeremiah Wilkinson paced Georgia with nine.
Kentucky struggled with turnovers throughout the night, a key factor in their inability to secure the victory. Georgia capitalized on these miscues, consistently converting them into scoring opportunities. The Bulldogs’ ability to adapt their offensive approach, utilizing both size and perimeter shooting, presented a challenge for the Wildcats’ defense.
The loss is a setback for Kentucky as they navigate a challenging SEC schedule. The Bulldogs’ victory marks a significant upset, demonstrating their potential to compete with the top teams in the conference. Georgia’s ability to limit Kentucky’s offensive flow and control the paint proved crucial in securing the win.
Kentucky’s starting lineup consisted of Denzel Aberdeen, Collin Chandler, Mouhamed Dioubate, Brandon Garrison, and Otega Oweh. Georgia countered with their own starting five, though specific names were not provided in the source material.
The game was broadcast nationally on ESPN, with Tom Leach and Jack Givens providing commentary on the UK Sports Network. Fans could also listen online via UKAthletics.com.
Looking ahead, Kentucky faces a tough road stretch, with upcoming games at Auburn on February 21st and at South Carolina on February 24th. They return home to host Vanderbilt on February 28th before concluding the regular season with road games at Texas A&M on March 3rd and a home contest against Florida on March 7th.
The Wildcats will need to address their turnover issues and find ways to consistently generate offense if they hope to improve their standing in the SEC and make a strong push towards the NCAA Tournament. The emergence of Cyril as a dominant force for Georgia underscores the importance of rebounding and interior defense, areas where Kentucky will need to focus their efforts.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
