Turnovers cloud Kentucky's hot stretch

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) Kentucky won its last game 73-67, but the way coach Tubby Smith has been talking in practice this week, you&#39;d almost think it was an 18-12 loss.<br> <br> As in turnovers: Kentucky 18, Iona 12.<br> <br> The Wildcats aren&#39;t used to losing the turnover battle, particularly not in games they win. With several sure-handed guards powering the offense, Kentucky&#39;s strength is supposed to be holding onto the basketball and stripping it from their opponents.<br> <br> Yet the Iona loss in turnover differential, albeit not the score crystalized for Smith a troubling trend. Some teams that are weaker than Kentucky are starting to beat the Wildcats at their own game.<br> <br> ``We just threw the ball right in guys&#39; hands,&#39;&#39; Smith said.<br> <br> Against Iona Saturday, the turnovers merely transformed what could have been a blowout into a nail-biter entering the final minutes. But Smith&#39;s concern is that similar play against a more balanced Ohio team Friday in Cincinnati could leave the Wildcats (8-3) on the short end of more than just turnover differential.<br> <br> Entering the game, Kentucky has coughed up the ball 156 times the same number as its opponents. But last year, the Wildcats were the beneficiaries of 151 more turnovers than they committed. Even in the double-overtime loss to Michigan State that ousted Kentucky from the NCAA Tournament, the turnover margin favored the Wildcats.<br> <br> The players notice the difference or at least Smith has forced them to notice.<br> <br> ``We&#39;re just being careless with the ball, trying to make the home run play when we don&#39;t need to,&#39;&#39; said sophomore guard Joe Crawford.<br> <br> Smith says there are several reasons for the turnover parity but acknowledges one may be his recent lineup experiments. Patrick Sparks played point guard for most of the Iona game, freeing up usual point guard Rajon Rondo to get better shot opportunities from the wing.<br> <br> But Sparks says the team&#39;s position versatility should help in the turnover category, not hurt.<br> <br> ``That&#39;s an advantage for our team we&#39;ve got two point guards out on the court,&#39;&#39; Sparks said. ``It should show our turnovers are down and assists are up, but right now we&#39;re not taking care of the ball as well as we should.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> It&#39;s not that Kentucky isn&#39;t hustling for it. In many instances, the trouble has been hustling too much sailing a pass out of bounds or dribbling onto the baseline in an attempt to force a fast-break opportunity.<br> <br> ``I think we&#39;re just rushing sometimes and we&#39;re not executing,&#39;&#39; said forward Sheray Thomas. ``We&#39;re just being careless.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Kentucky faces a tough task in trying to correct its turnover problem against defending Mid-American Conference champion Ohio (6-1). The Bobcats have turned it over 84 times, compared to 113 for their opponents.<br> <br> ``We need to take care of the ball in this one,&#39;&#39; Crawford said.<br> <br> (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)