In a game Kentucky really needed to win yesterday, the Wildcats came out flat and never led against the Florida Gators on Senior Day at Rupp Arena.

A late surge wasn’t enough for Kentucky, as they fell 84-77 in a game that wasn’t really as close as the final score indicates.

Kentucky wraps up the regular season with a 19-12 overall record, and a 10-8 mark in SEC play. At one point yesterday, Kentucky was in contention to rise up the SEC standings, but instead, Kentucky is the 9-seed heading into the SEC Tournament and will play in the first game of the tournament in Nashville.

This is a far cry from where we thought this team would be headed into the season, and what is expected in the commonwealth.

But nonetheless, Kentucky will open the SEC Tournament taking on the 16-seed LSU at 12:30 ET on Wednesday with the winner advancing to take on 8-seed Missouri in the second round.

It’s been a rough Year 4 for Matt McMahon in Baton Rouge, as the Tigers finish the regular season with a record of 15-16 and 3-15 in conference play. The Tigers did have multiple close losses in conference play, but none closer than when Kentucky came to town on January 14.

LSU held Kentucky to just 22 points in the first half and led by 16 at the break, but Kentucky stormed back in the second half and Collin Chandler threw a full-court pass to Malachi Moreno, who hit a jumper in the final seconds to give Kentucky the win.

Kentucky could have its hands full again on Wednesday when they take on the Tigers in Nashville.

I miss when fans of other teams searched for moral victories when playing Kentucky.

Kentucky never led in both matchups against the Gators.

No real surprises in that one.

A big loss on the recruiting trail for UK Football.

UCONN may have lost its bid for a 1-seed.

A big day pay for the big man in the middle of the Eagles defense.

I still don’t like these rules that prevent teams from playing in the tournament.

Will Wade’s NC State squad may end up sweating on Selection Sunday.

What will the changes be?

A lot will ride on Kenny Minchey.

Both front offices will be feeling the pressure with this deal.