Kentucky forward Ansley Almonor has experienced an up-and-down stretch late in the regular season, failing to score in his last three games. However, his breakout performance on Senior Night against LSU proved that he is still a valuable piece for the Wildcats as they head into postseason play.
Almonor was sensational in Kentucky’s dominant 95-64 victory over LSU on Tuesday, scoring 19 points on 6-for-7 shooting, including 3-for-4 from beyond the arc. The performance marked his most action in weeks, where he played 19 minutes against LSU.“I thought he was terrific,” head coach Mark Pope said following the win. “Ansley, my goodness, what a season he’s had. For a guy that never in his wildest dreams thought he would be wearing a Kentucky jersey. You think about the huge impactful moments that he’s had in games for us and he’s going to be big down the stretch. You see it all the time.”
That performance was much needed for Almonor, who had struggled in the three prior games. He was held scoreless against Auburn, Oklahoma, and Alabama, failing to register a single point despite seeing time on the floor. The stretch of inconsistency has been frustrating, but his outing against LSU reminded everyone of the impact he can have when he’s locked in.“He had three or four really quiet, subpar games for his standard that he set,” Pope continued. “And you know, sometimes all of the weight of this thing starts to get on your shoulders and he did a great job tonight just casting out, like, I’m going to be a baller man, make or miss, and I’m gonna go play.”
Almonor’s energy and intensity against LSU were exactly what the Wildcats needed as they looked to regain momentum heading into the postseason. With Kentucky’s depth being tested, especially with injuries affecting the rotation, his ability to contribute as a scoring threat is critical for the team’s success.
Despite his recent struggles, Almonor has shown throughout the season that he is capable of delivering big moments. As Kentucky prepares for its final regular-season game against the Missouri Tigers and also for the SEC Tournament, the Wildcats will need him to build off his Senior Night performance and become a key factor once again. If Almonor can regain his confidence and consistency, he could be an X-factor for Kentucky’s postseason run, resulting in Kentucky making it to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2018-2019 season.
