[Quality88]

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Despite losing five of its past six games, the University of Kentucky men’s basketball team is not in panic mode.

But the Wildcats are in a seriously downtrodden mood.

The latest loss, yesterday’s 81-72 decision to San Diego in Rupp Arena, left the UK coaches, players and fans scratching their heads and searching for answers.

“We got whipped in every aspect,” UK coach Billy Gillispie said.

The Wildcats will try to put their latest debacle behind them tomorrow at noon when they face Florida International in Rupp. Many players said they welcome the quick turn around.

“When you lose a ball game, it’s tough to wait to play a game,” senior Ramel Bradley said. “So to be off one day and come right back is the best thing. You always want to hurry up and get a chance to redeem yourself as quick as possible.

“We just need to try and build some momentum.”

UK (5-6) appeared to be headed in the right direction with a lopsided victory over Tennessee Tech just before Christmas break.

But there was little holiday joy upon their return.

San Diego led all but 48 seconds of yesterday’s game and the Wildcats now have just two more games before starting Southeastern Conference play. The Wildcats play the Golden Panthers (3- tomorrow and play host to Louisville on Saturday.

“We’re not going to cry over spilt milk,” Gillispie said. “We’re going to make the most of this. We know we haven’t played well but I think we’re going to get better. We know we have to get better, so we’ll see what happens.”

Freshman Patrick Patterson said after the San Diego game that he was “furious,” but despite the somber mood he said the Wildcats are keeping the faith.

UK is currently ranked No. 219 in the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI), sandwiched between Utah Valley State and Mercer. The Wildcats are ranked last in the SEC.

“There’s hope for the future,” Patterson said. “We still have two games before the SEC, so we have time for this to turn around. We just have to deal with the losses and keep moving ahead. I feel like we’re not that far away. We all just have to click on the same page and want it just as much as everybody else does.”

UK has used 10 different starting lineups in the first 11 games with Gillispie still searching for the right combination.

Sophomores Derrick Jasper and Jodie Meeks did return after injuries for the San Diego game.

But against the Toreros, Gillispie was upset with his team for getting outhustled and outrebounded 34-25.

“We’re not getting any loose balls and we’re not getting defensive rebounds and we’re not being aggressive on offense,” he said. “We’re just standing around watching.”

The first-year UK coach again lamented his team’s inability to slow down an opposing point guard as San Diego’s Brandon Johnson hit for 27 points and three assists against the Wildcats.

Several other point guards, including Indiana’s Joe Crawford, UAB’s Aaron Johnson and Houston’s Lanny Smith had exceptional games against UK.

“We’re not guarding the ball and not paying close attention to the scouting report,” Gillispie said. “It’s (knowing) where a guy might be going. Knowing when to help. Knowing who to dive off on . . . We try hard. We just don’t think well enough defensively to help each other.”

UK will try to right the ship again, only this time against a Golden Panthers team that has some familiarity.

UK hopes to right ship tomorrow at Rupp