Even under John Calipari, Kentucky basketball has experienced a few rough times. An 88-58 loss in Knoxville in February 2013 en route to the NIT. Back-t0-back losses to unranked teams at the end of February/beginning of March 2014. The 34-point drubbing at the hands of Duke in November 2018. The Evansville loss last season.

But then Sunday: Georgia Tech 79, Kentucky 62.

That was 0-2 Georgia Tech, which had lost to Stetson and Georgia State. The Yellow Jackets shot 62% in the second half, turned 21 UK turnovers into 33 points and rolled easily. In a week when Kentucky held Kansas below 30% shooting and found a way to lose, that game isn’t even in contention for the Cats’ most mystifying loss.

Here are a few thoughts from a brutal week back and a disheartening look ahead for Kentucky basketball.

1. Where’s the point guard?

Kentucky is completely without a leader at the lead guard spot. Devin Askew looks like the high school senior that broadcasters keep noting that he actually should be. Davion Mintz is the most solid option, but he’s not really a point guard and asking him to play the spot probably takes away Kentucky’s best (only?) off-the-ball shooter. Between the Kansas and Georgia Tech games, Askew shot 2-for-7, scored 10 points, and had 2 assists against 6 turnovers. Mintz managed 8 assists against 5 turnovers in that same span, but again, he doesn’t seem very comfortable.

2. Maybe the shooting isn’t entirely hopeless

In the midst of one of the most unwatchable Kentucky losses of recent memory, the Wildcats did get some good news. The team was shooting 19% from 3-point range coming in but drained a solid 8-of-19 3s against Tech. BJ Boston and Terrence Clarke were each 0-for-the-season, but each knocked down a 3 3s, which certainly can’t hurt UK’s overall outlook.

3. Can Sarr sort it out?

Wake Forest transfer Olivier Sarr was expected to provide a solid post presence to help rally the Wildcats. The early reviews are mixed. Sarr was effective early against Kansas (8 points, 6 rebounds), but he also was limited to 15 minutes due to foul trouble. He also had 4 fouls against Tech. Worse, he was lost when he did play.

His 6 points and 3 rebounds in 29 minutes also featured a -21 stat, the lowest on Kentucky’s team. While Isaiah Jackson has been a positive revelation, Sarr has to give Kentucky more moving forward.

4. Who can help off the bench?

Calipari has reliably played his starters, plus Mintz. But after that, Kentucky is still trying to find sources of production. Sophomore transfer Jacob Toppin had 6 points and 3 boards off the bench against Kansas and played 10 minutes against Tech as well. Freshmen Lance Ware and Dontaie Allen haven’t proven reliable yet, and frosh Cam’Ron Fletcher went from starting against Richmond after an impressive debut against Morehead State to playing a single minute against Tech. The return of Keion Brooks, whenever it comes, couldn’t help but improve Kentucky.

5. Could Notre Dame be a turning point?

UK has only next Saturday’s matchup with Notre Dame to focus on. The Fighting Irish are 1-1, fresh off a 78-70 win over Detroit-Mercy. (The Cats will play Detroit-Mercy on Dec. 15.)

Notre Dame plays Ohio State on Tuesday in the annual ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

Notre Dame also lost to Michigan State, but it has a good shooting squad that’s hitting on 43% from 3-point range so far. All 5 Irish starters average over 30 minutes, so it’s not a deep team or a physical team. Maybe Kentucky can find success with Sarr and Jackson this week.