LEXINGTON, Ky. — On Monday, 64 of 65 Associated Press top 25 voters ranked Kentucky No. 1. Turns out the 65th voter was right.
One week after opening the season with an upset of No. 1 Michigan State in the Champion's Classic, Kentucky lost its first game as the top-ranked team in the AP poll, 67-64, to former UK great Walter McCarty-coached Evansville. Kentucky currently is ranked No. 2 in the USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball coaches poll.
Kentucky trailed for all but 5:44 in the game and led just once in the second half. Evansville won despite shooting 38.3% from the field and 30% (9 for 30) from 3-point range.
The loss marked Kentucky's first defeat to a team outside the Power 5 conferences at Rupp Arena in the John Calipari era.
Here is what we learned from the loss.
Embarrassing showing vs. Evansville
After a stellar first week of the season, John Calipari's team did almost nothing right against Evansville.
Fresh off a breakout night against Eastern Kentucky, Nick Richards picked up two early fouls and struggled to make an impact. Michigan State hero Tyrese Maxey's impact was limited by foul trouble. Sophomore leader Ashton Hagans posted one of his worst performances as a Wildcat.
As a team, Kentucky shot 37% from the field with 13 turnovers. The Wildcats converted just 4 of 17 3-point attempts. Evansville out-rebounded Kentucky, 37-35.
Off night for Ashton Hagans
Before Kentucky’s season opener, Ashton Hagans did not shy away from the spotlight when asked about his importance to the team.
“I would say I mean a lot,” he said. “As I go, I would say the team goes.”
That pronouncement held true in a bad way for Hagans against Evansville.
The sophomore point guard totaled three points with four turnovers and three assists. He missed his first seven shots in the game and did not score until the 3:47 mark in the second half.
It’s clear this team will feed off Hagans' intensity at least early in the season. It was lacking Tuesday, and the performance of the team as a whole suffered.
Follow the Louisville Courier Journal's Jon Hale on Twitter @JonHale_CJ.
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November 12, 2019 at 06:03PM
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A first in the John Calipari era: No. 2 Kentucky stunned at home by Evansville - USA TODAY
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