LEXINGTON — Andrew Carr started to assess more blame to the Kentucky basketball frontcourt for turnover issues in last month’s loss at Vanderbilt.
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Then, the fifth-year senior forward corrected himself.
“When you have 17 turnovers,” Carr said, referencing the Wildcats’ total in the 74-69 defeat, “it’s really on everybody.”
The tally remains the most giveaways UK coach Mark Pope’s team has had in a game this season. And it was uncharacteristic for a group that commits just 10.5 turnovers per outing, the fifth-best figure in the 16-team SEC.
“Like, our life depends on it,” Carr said. “‘Win every catch’ is what we talk about all the time. Every loose ball, every 50-50 ball, we’ve got to have it, this game specifically. And so it certainly is on (to protect the ball).”
Thinking back on the loss, and reviewing film, freshman guard Travis Perry said he believes there were “a couple stints” in which UK allowed Vandy to dictate play.
“I think just being more aggressive will kind of tone that out for us,” he said. “Just being aggressive to make plays for teammates is something we’ve really focused on. I think that is a great way we can cut down on turnovers.”
Kentucky, No. 21 in the USA TODAY Coaches and No. 17 in the AP Top 25 polls, enters off a loss at Texas last weekend. Vandy, which is unranked, has dropped two in a row and four of its past five outings.
Which team will come out on top between the Wildcats (17-8, 6-6 SEC) and Commodores (17-8, 5-7) tonight at Rupp Arena?
Follow along below with live updates from Lexington:
FINAL: Kentucky 82, Vanderbilt 61
Here’s a look at the final box score:
Kentucky vs Vanderbilt halftime score
The Cats lead the Commodores at halftime, 41-40.
UK is shooting 50% (12 for 24) from the field, and is 5 of 15 (33.3%) behind the 3-point line. Otega Oweh had 11 points in the first half to lead the Wildcats.
Vanderbilt made 48.6% (17 for 35) of its field goal attempts in the opening 20 minutes.
Commodores guard Devin McGlockton had 11 points to match Oweh as the game’s top scorer through 20 minutes.
Kentucky vs Vanderbilt basketball score in first half
With 7:49 remaining in the first half, Kentucky leads Vanderbilt, 30-25.
UK is 9 for 15 (60%) from the field; Vanderbiltis 11 of 20 (55%). Kentucky is 5 for 10 (50%) beyond the 3-point line. Vanderbilt is 2 of 9 (22.2%) from distance
Kentucky basketball’s starting lineup vs. Vanderbilt
Here are Kentucky’s starters vs. Vanderbilt:
Otega Oweh
Koby Brea
Travis Perry
Andrew Carr
Amari Williams
And here’s Vanderbilt’s lineup:
Jason Edwards
AJ Hoggard
Chris Mañon
Tyler Nickel
Devin McGlockton
Kentucky starting guards Lamont Butler, Jaxson Robinson not available vs Vanderbilt
Senior guards Lamont Butler and Jaxson Robinson were listed as “out” on the SEC’s availability report, which posted at 5 p.m. Wednesday, two hours before tipoff between the Wildcats and Commodores.
