South Carolina dominates against No. 6 Kentucky, as 7-2 sensation Zvonimir Ivišić experiences a downturn

Zvonimir Ivišić made a sensational debut for Kentucky last Sunday, appearing to firmly establish the Wildcats as strong contenders for the national title with a 105-96 victory over Georgia.

However, the euphoria was short-lived as the sixth-ranked Wildcats faced an unexpected setback on Tuesday, suffering a disappointing 79-62 defeat against unranked South Carolina.

Ivišić, who had dazzled in his debut, managed only three points in limited playing time, and Kentucky’s starters encountered difficulties scoring and defending against South Carolina’s 3-point shots. The South Carolina home crowd celebrated by storming the court, further solidifying the Gamecocks’ status as a likely NCAA tournament team.

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Fresh from an impressive NCAA debut, Ivišić, a 7-foot-2 Croatian talent, helped propel Kentucky into the top 10 early in the season, maintaining that ranking despite the absence of key players. Ivišić’s eligibility had been in question due to reports of his prior participation in a professional team in Montenegro. However, the NCAA cleared him on Saturday, just in time for Sunday’s game against the Bulldogs. In a remarkable performance, he contributed 13 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals, and three blocks in just 16 minutes off the bench, showcasing his skills beyond expectations.

However, the road test on Tuesday presented a different narrative. Ivišić, now facing South Carolina, had a limited impact in 10 minutes off the bench, recording three points, two rebounds, and two blocks. The game saw him struggling in the paint against the robust 260-pound forward B.J. Mack. Additionally, freshman forward Collin Murray-Boyles stole the spotlight with a powerful dunk over Ivišić early in the second half.

The significant defeat can’t be solely attributed to Ivišić. South Carolina’s impressive shooting percentages of 48.3% from the field and 45.8% from beyond the arc (11-for-24) were reflective of a breakdown in the entire Kentucky defense.

On the offensive end, freshman Justin Edwards had a subpar performance, making only one field goal attempt in 23 minutes, contributing just two points and two rebounds. This lackluster showing is affecting his draft projections, as the former lottery prospect is slipping down the first-round projections. Meanwhile, D.J. Wagner, another prospect, struggled with a 2-of-10 shooting performance, totaling four points and three assists.

Despite Rob Dillingham’s 16 points and Antonio Reeves’ 15, the overall offensive effort was dismal, with Kentucky shooting 40.3% from the field and 30.8% from 3-point range. The Wildcats also struggled defensively against a resurgent South Carolina team that improved to 16-3 overall and 4-2 in the SEC.

Senior Ta’Lon Cooper led the Gamecocks with an impressive performance, contributing 20 points, six rebounds, and five assists on an efficient 8-of-11 shooting night. Meechie Johnson added 14 points and four assists, while Jacobi Wright posted 14 points and two rebounds off the bench.

While this doesn’t diminish Kentucky’s status as a genuine contender or Ivišić’s potential as a high-end prospect demonstrated in his Sunday debut, it does temper the enthusiasm generated by the previous win in Lexington. The Wildcats now have three days to regroup before facing another SEC road test against Arkansas.