Kentucky has been one of the best offensive teams in college basketball this season, but the defense has been rough.

Now, to give the Wildcats credit against Arkansas, the defense wasn’t great, but when Kentucky needed some late stops to get back in this game, they were able to get them. This eventually led to the 111-102 win over the Razorbacks.

The KenPom rankings were updated after Saturday’s college basketball action, and the Wildcats are ranked 18th. Their adjusted offensive ranking is seventh, and their adjusted defensive ranking is 98th. The Wildcats had the defensive ranking in the 80’s, but back-to-back games allowing 90+ points have Kentucky back near the century mark. Kentucky will hopefully improve those numbers against Vanderbilt, but improving the defensive ranking against Tennessee will be a much tougher ask.

Coach Calipari had this to say about the defense after the game, “I told Jay right after the game, at one point I was saying let them score so we can get it back. I wasn’t saying that. But – that’s what it looked like. It’s like let them score fast. They came in with a great game plan. I knew Muss would have them ready. I was really worried about this game. I had them stay at the hotel last night. I haven’t done that for a year. We came here and stayed in the hotel and had a meal and you know what we did this morning? We shot around at a 1:30 game. I don’t ever do that. Breakfast here and then let’s play this game. Why? Because I knew this was going to be this way. I knew it. They didn’t, but I knew this was going to be a really hard game. Do you know why? They got a really good coach and they got really talented players that can break you down and go get baskets. What did they do? They broke us down and went and got baskets. We just happen to score more than them today.”