It almost feels wrong to complain after a 50-point blowout. You win by half a hundred, you’re supposed to smile, clap, and move on. But this is Kentucky basketball — nitpicking is practically part of the culture. So pull up a chair at the Big Blue holiday table, grab a plate, and let’s talk about something this team has to fix: the frustrating habit of sleepwalking through the first half of games.
I was in the arena for the Tennessee Tech matchup — my first in-person game of the season — ready to soak in the energy, the pace, the vibes… all of it.
And honestly? The vibes were flat.
Sure, it’s tough to get hyped for a game with a 38-point spread, but listen: my mom has served the same Thanksgiving dinner every year of my life, and I still show up hungry. I don’t even like her cranberry salad, but you’d never know it by how excited I am every November. Kentucky has to find that same energy — even when the opponent isn’t exactly Duke or Kansas.
The Wildcats Need to Wake Up Earlier
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what felt “off,” but something was definitely dragging. Was it body language? Maybe. Lack of communication? A little. A general sleepiness? Definitely.
Even in warm-ups, the team felt groggy — like they’d all hit the snooze button one too many times. And that might not be too far from the truth. Several players have admitted that napping is part of their pre-game routine. That’s fine… until you start tipoff looking like you’re still halfway through the dream.
For a coach who swears by analytics and precision, Mark Pope’s squad spends a surprising amount of time just… standing. Watching. Reacting instead of initiating. At times, they looked less like they were playing a basketball game and more like they were watching the Thanksgiving NFL slate — eyes half-open, waiting for something interesting to happen.
Then, of course, when they fall behind or suddenly look up to see a tie game against Tennessee Tech far too late in the half, they flip a switch, hit that familiar Jenga moment, and run away with it.
But man… they can’t keep waiting until after dessert to get hungry.
A Few Players Break the Mold
Not everyone comes out cold.
Collin Chandler injected life into the arena with his vicious two-handed dunk — the loudest moment of the half. If the crowd hadn’t been sedated by the slow start, the place might’ve exploded.
Then there was Malachi Moreno diving out of bounds to save a loose ball. He didn’t get it, but the crowd roared anyway — grateful for any sign of urgency.
And credit to Trent Noah as well. Even he acknowledged the sluggishness after the game, but he played hard from the jump.
Still, those individual sparks aren’t enough. Not when the whole team is capable of going on an 81–29 run in the second half. That kind of dominance should never coexist with a 25–25 tie against Tennessee Tech with under six minutes to go in the first half.
The Bigger Problem: It Shows Up Against Real Teams
This isn’t a one-off thing. Against Louisville and Michigan State, Kentucky’s early-game sleepiness turned into double-digit holes they never climbed out of.
And upcoming opponents won’t forgive slow starts either.
North Carolina.
Gonzaga.
Real competition.
Real consequences.
If Kentucky doesn’t find a way to flip the energy switch earlier — before the ball even tips — they’re going to keep making life harder than it needs to be.
This team has the talent. The depth. The coaching. The explosiveness.
Now they just need the wake-up call.
