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UK basketball beats LSU for its first SEC win: Takeaways from one of Cats' better showings

LEXINGTON, Ky. — For the vast majority of the season, Kentucky's men's basketball hasn't played up to its potential. Or what others expected of the Wildcats.

This was a squad that began its 2022-23 campaign ranked No. 4 in both major polls. A squad with hopes of reaching the Final Four for the first time since 2015. A program that was a popular pick to capture its ninth national championship.

Through 13 games, however, UK only looked like a top team when facing an overmatched foe. Pitted against opponents of equal measure — specifically, Michigan State, Gonzaga and UCLA — and Kentucky wilted.