Kentucky Basketball struggles in exhibition loss to Georgetown: 4 things to know and postgame banter

Kentucky basketball looked out of sync from start to finish in their final exhibition matchup against Georgetown, falling 84-70 on a night where the Wildcats were short-handed in the backcourt.

The Wildcats were without both of their primary guards, as starting PG Jaland Lowe sat out with a shoulder injury he suffered on Oct. 17. Lowe has now missed both exhibition games, though the team remains hopeful he’ll be ready for the regular-season opener.

Meanwhile, guard Denzel Aberdeen was also sidelined due to a minor leg issue and held out as a precaution.

Without their floor generals, Kentucky struggled to find rhythm offensively. Turnovers, forced shots, and a lack of consistent ball movement plagued the offense throughout the night. Kentucky trailed 46–39 at halftime, as the Hoyas repeatedly attacked the rim and knocked down open jumpers.

Things didn’t get much better after the break. Despite a few short runs, Kentucky couldn’t sustain momentum. Georgetown continued to control the tempo and scored with ease in transition, stretching their lead as the second half wore on.

Head coach Mark Pope will look to use the film from this one as a teaching tool, with the Wildcats still searching for their offensive identity. The hope now turns to getting both Lowe and Aberdeen healthy in time for the season opener.

4 Things to know from Kentucky vs. Georgetown

1. Turnovers Prove Costly as Short-Handed Kentucky Falls to Georgetown

If there’s one clear takeaway from Kentucky’s exhibition loss to Georgetown, is that they need either Lowe or Aberdeen back or potentially both.

In their first exhibition matchup against No. 1 Purdue, Kentucky was impressive by committing just nine turnovers, showing poise and control against one of the best teams in the country, but against Georgetown, that composure disappeared. Kentucky committed 15 turnovers, a glaring contrast that ultimately played a major role in their defeat.

Of course, Kentucky was without both of its primary ball-handlers, Jaland Lowe and Denzel Aberdeen, due to them both being injured. Lowe continues to recover from a shoulder issue suffered on Oct. 17, while Aberdeen sat out with a minor leg injury as a precaution. Without either guard available, Kentucky lacked stability in the backcourt, and it showed in nearly every offensive possession.

The Wildcats struggled to initiate sets cleanly, often rushing passes or over-dribbling, leading to easy transition buckets for Georgetown. Those turnovers repeatedly halted any rhythm Kentucky tried to build and allowed the Hoyas to maintain control from start to finish.

Both Lowe and Aberdeen are expected to be key pieces in running Mark Pope’s up-tempo, ball-movement-heavy offense, and their absences made it difficult for Kentucky to execute that vision. The Wildcats will look to clean up their mistakes and find a steadier offensive flow before the regular season tips off.

2. Free Throw Woes as Kentucky Looks to Clean Things Up

If Kentucky wants to compete at a high level this season, fixing its issues at the free-throw line will be a top priority. The Wildcats shot just 23/35 from the stripe in their exhibition game against Georgetown, a performance that left plenty to be desired and reminded fans of last year’s inconsistency in that area.

During the 2024–25 season, Kentucky went 569-for-778 from the line, shooting 73.1%, a number that often cost them in close games. Despite showing flashes of offensive potential against Georgetown, the Wildcats struggled to capitalize on easy points, missing several front ends of one-and-ones and failing to convert when fouled inside.

For a roster featuring a mix of young talent and experienced returners, the ability to knock down shots at the line could be the difference between winning and losing tight SEC battles.

Kentucky’s offense is built around pace, ball movement, and a balanced mix of three-point shooting and attacking the rim, which is an approach designed to keep defenses guessing while still drawing plenty of fouls. If the Wildcats can’t turn those free-throw opportunities into points, their overall offensive efficiency will take a major hit.

As the regular season approaches, improving at the stripe will be a focal point in practice. Kentucky has the athleticism and skill to compete with anyone, but until its free-throw shooting improves, it will remain a critical weakness to overcome.

3. Kentucky’s Offense Struggles With Consistency in Exhibition Loss to Georgetown

Kentucky’s offensive rhythm never quite clicked in their exhibition loss to Georgetown, as the Wildcats struggled to find consistent scoring from anywhere on the floor. Whether it was from beyond the arc or inside the paint, Kentucky’s shots simply weren’t falling, and it showed throughout the game.

The Wildcats looked complacent at times, settling for contested jumpers instead of working for high-percentage looks. Their ball movement, a staple of Mark Pope’s offensive system, often stalled, leading to rushed possessions and tough shots late in the shot clock. The result was a stagnant offense that failed to generate the kind of pace or spacing Kentucky usually thrives on.

Meanwhile, Georgetown didn’t exactly light it up from deep either, but the Hoyas found a consistent rhythm inside the arc. They repeatedly attacked Kentucky’s defense in the paint, finishing through contact and capitalizing on defensive lapses around the rim. While Kentucky struggled to convert open looks, Georgetown’s ability to score inside gave them a steady advantage and helped them control the tempo for much of the game.

For Kentucky, this matchup served as a clear reminder that offensive execution will need to improve heading into the regular season. Better shot selection, crisper ball movement, and more urgency in attacking the basket will be key areas of focus. If the Wildcats can combine their perimeter talent with more consistent inside play, they’ll be far tougher to defend when the games start to count.

4. Kentucky Struggles Across the Board in Plus/Minus During Georgetown Loss

One stat from Kentucky’s exhibition loss to Georgetown on Thursday night stands out above all the rest—and not in a good way. Every single Wildcat who saw the floor finished with a negative plus/minus rating, a rare and concerning sign for a team that prides itself on balance and depth.

Nine players suited up and played for Kentucky, yet not one finished in the positive column, meaning that during every player’s time on the court, the Wildcats were outscored by Georgetown. It’s a telling indicator of how lopsided the performance was, both offensively and defensively.

Kentucky struggled to find any rhythm all night. Offensively, the Wildcats shot poorly from the field and never seemed comfortable running their sets. Defensively, they couldn’t keep Georgetown out of the paint or prevent second-chance opportunities. Even when the Cats made brief runs, the momentum quickly faded, and the Hoyas continued to control the tempo.

While it’s only an exhibition game, the stat underscores how disconnected Kentucky looked without its two primary point guards, Jaland Lowe and Denzel Aberdeen, both sidelined with injuries. Their absence left Kentucky without true floor leadership, and it showed in the team’s overall performance.

For head coach Mark Pope, this game will serve as an important piece of film heading into the regular season. The Wildcats have plenty of talent, but as Thursday’s across-the-board negative plus/minus showed, there’s still a lot of work to be done on both ends of the floor.