How Kentucky's season-high turnover total killed Wildcats chances of advancing past first weekend of March Madness

The Kentucky Wildcats have been eliminated from the 2026 NCAA Tournament. They earned a No. 7 seed for the tourney and beat No. 10 Santa Clara by five points in the first round to advance to the Round of 32. 

The Wildcats matched up with No. 2 Iowa State in the second round. While they were underdogs on paper, the Cyclones were down Joshua Jefferson, one of their best players, due to an ankle injury. 

Kentucky led for most of the first half, with Iowa State scoring at the buzzer to take the 31-30 lead. While the first half was razor close, the second half could not have been more lopsided. The Wildcats couldn't control the ball, turning it over 20 times on their way to an 82-63 loss. 

Here is more on how Kentucky's turnover issues led to a blowout second-round loss to Iowa State. 

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Kentucky turnovers vs. Iowa State

Kentucky was the underdog against Iowa State, but the Wildcats kept the game close through the first half. Kentucky went into halftime down just 31-30. It looked like the Wildcats would be able to come away with an upset win, especially given that the Cyclones were without Jefferson.

Kentucky absolutely imploded in the second half. While the offense went ice cold, one of the biggest problems was the high turnover rate. The Wildcats finished with 20 turnovers. That ranked as their most turnovers in a game this season, by five turnovers. It is also the most turnovers the team has had in a game since head coach Mark Pope took over ahead of the 2024-2025 season. 

The Wildcats lost to the Cyclones 82-63. 25 of Iowa State's 82 points came from Kentucky turnovers. 

HISTORY OF UPSETS BY SEED:
16 vs. 1 | 15 vs. 2 | 14 vs. 3 | 13 vs. 4 | 12 vs. 5

Most Kentucky turnovers this season

Here is a look at the most turnovers that the Wildcats had in a game this season.