KSR Today: Kentucky Stunned by Georgia

Kentucky had won eight of its last ten games. Georgia had lost five of its last six. The Dawgs escaped Rupp Arena with the program’s fifth win in Lexington.

It didn’t look like many of the disappointing Kentucky losses we’ve seen this season. The Wildcats actually got off to a good start. Otega Oweh had a season-high 28 points. Collin Chandler made a career-high six three-pointers. Kentucky still lost 86-78.

The Cats were in control for most of the first half. It looked like they were ready to put it in cruise control. Then Georgia closed on a 17-6 run to give the Dawgs a 5-point halftime advantage.

Every time Kentucky took two steps forward, it was followed by one step back. A Chandler three made it a one-point game, then Georgia went on a 10-0 run. He hit another three at the 5-minute mark to make it a 4-point game. Then Georgia scored five straight points.

Despite it all, Georgia still left the door open for Kentucky to win the game. The Cats trailed by seven points with only four to play, and had a chance to tie it with a deep Chandler three. Even though it didn’t fall, Kentucky corralled the offensive rebound. On a baseline out-of-bounds play, Oweh got the ball in the backcourt, then attacked the basket and dribbled it off his foot. The game was sealed with a Somto Cyril second-chance bucket on the opposite end. Kentucky did not make a shot in the final three minutes of the loss.

Kentucky added a Quad 2 loss to its resume with only five games to go. The Cats built so much momentum over the last six weeks, and it feels like air is being let out of the balloon ahead of a road trip to Auburn.

This is only the second time in the history of the series Georgia has won three times in a four-game span versus Kentucky. Last such instance was more than 100 years ago: UK won first meeting in 1921; UGA won next three.
— Ryan Black (@RyanABlack) February 18, 2026

Another Outstanding Shooting Performance by a Kentucky Opponent

Kentucky played the No. 351 three-point shooting team in Gainesville. Florida made 10 three-pointers. Georgia entered the game as the No. 291-ranked three-point shooting team in America. Georgia went 14-31 from three; that’s 45.2%.

As bad as it was, thanks to Chandler, the three-point shooting was essentially a wash. The big difference was in the turnover column. Georgia turned 13 Kentucky turnovers into 22 points, while the Cats only forced seven. The other glaring stat: Kentucky missed eight free throws.

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More from the Kentucky Loss to Georgia

Takeaways from the Collapse Against Georgia
Georgia Weaknesses Turned into Strengths vs. Kentucky
Mark Pope said he wants to play his bench even more
Kentucky couldn’t handle the Georgia press
Chandler, Mo D, and Aberdeen Talk After the Game
Kentucky Wasted a Flamethrowing Night from Collin Chandler
Mark Pope’s Postgame Press Conference
The Loss to Georgia made some Bad History

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Get your ashes in @fiservforum prior to tipoff on Ash Wednesday! JCI Entrance will open for all fans at 6:30pm to arrive early to receive ashes.

The Cluckery concession stand outside section 115 will also be offering a $20 Fish Fry meal deal!#MUBB | #WeAreMarquette pic.twitter.com/cr4gNo3OPk
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