Kentucky's Malachi Moreno hits buzzer-beater vs. LSU, which could have major NCAA Tournament implications

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There are few must-win January games in college basketball, but Kentucky and LSU were both in a position Wednesday that would make a loss very uncomfortable. Which makes what Malachi Moreno did all the more dramatic.

With 1.6 seconds left and down 74-73 in Baton Rouge, Kentucky got the ball cross-court and into the hands of Moreno, who made a turnaround buzzer-beater to stun the Tigers on their home floor.

Final score: Kentucky 75, LSU 74.

The loss was a gut punch for LSU, which led 38-22 at halftime and by nine points as late as the 6:13 mark. It was still in prime position to win when Kentucky's Otega Oweh missed his second free throw with four seconds left, leaving LSU ahead by one, but then Pablo Tamba missed both free throws to leave the door open for Moreno to win it.

Oweh led the Wildcats with 21 points on 6-of-13 shooting, while Moreno had 10 points and 8 rebounds. Marquel Sutton and Max Mackinnon tied for the LSU lead with 16 points each.

Kentucky, which had trouble with a competitive non-conference slate, entered the game with a 10-6 record and 1-2 mark in SEC play. LSU was 12-4, but 0-3 in SEC play. Neither team had reason for confidence it would be part of the NCAA Tournament, with LSU having even less room for error.

And now the Tigers have lost four straight games, with ranked matchups against No. 19 Florida and No. 17 Arkansas on the horizon next week. That's particularly bad news for head coach Matt McMahon, who received a not-so-subtle message from athletic director Verge Aubserry earlier Wednesday via Tiger Rag: 

“I’m going to support him. Matt McMahon is our coach,” Ausberry said. “If he doesn’t make it (the NCAA Tournament) ... we’ll have to reevaluate.”

Kentucky, meanwhile, moves to a better location on the bubble, but still needs some more wins before it can start planning for March Madness. Next up: a battle with No. 24 Tennessee.