The Kentucky Wildcats dropped down the SEC rankings with a 0-2 week losing both games in Rupp Arena.
After losing to the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers in Rupp Arena, the Wildcats are 5-4 in SEC play and 15-6 on the season. The defensive issues have continued as Kentucky gave up 94 points to Florida and 103 to Tennessee. If this defense isn’t going to improve, it will be hard for the Kentucky Wildcats to make a deep run in March.
This week, the Kentucky Wildcats were missing their starting point guard, as DJ Wagner didn’t play in either game. Kentucky is now 0-3 when Wagner doesn’t suit up. It’s not to say that Kentucky would have won these games if Wagner had played, but they are definitely missing the depth. Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham have had to play extended minutes with Wagner out. The Wildcats need to get their primary ball handler healthy for a March push.
Dillingham had this to say about not having Wagner on the floor, “Definitely missing him a lot because he helps us with like being a leader and helping us be together and he’s our point guard. He’s another piece of the team that’s not at it where he’s got grit, and DJ wants it. DJ comes to play every day, and not everybody has that mindset. That’s why when we play, we miss him as our point guard. He comes to play every day and gets our starting five a push. So, just his mindset, leadership, and want to win.”