Bledsoe said the Wildcats are too offensive-minded and "still in high-school mode" on defense. He said a lack of communication is one of the key elements the team is missing three games into a perfect season.
"Teams are going to come in a lot this season trying to go at John and that's when everybody else has to step up and start making plays," he said. "You can't just let teams come in and break records like they did tonight. It definitely gets everybody's attention."
Bledsoe said the team's emphasis on offense has hindered production on the defensive end of the court.
"We just worry about offense, and then on defense we just stand and watch," he said. "We can (play defense), but we just don't have the mentality to."
However, Bledsoe said the team showed flashes of defensive brilliance when the Cats forced a shot-clock violation by the guests in the second half, a sign the team is capable of playing defense.
"That's what we've got to do more of," he said.
On the offensive end of the court, Bledsoe had the second double-figure outing of his career.
Bledsoe finished with 19 points and connected on five of the team's 11 shots from long range. The Freshman guard dished out six assists and had six turnovers. He had 24 points in the team's season-opening win over Morehead State a week ago at Rupp Arena.
Bledsoe said he felt the hot streak during pregame shoot around, which resulted in the first five three-pointers of his career.
"Coach told us we needed to learn how to prepare for a game and I just went into shoot around and focused," he said. "My three-point shooting is something I worked on over the summer and during shoot around. It has improved a lot."
As for the team's 23 miscues, Bledsoe said the Cats "just need to be (smarter) with the ball."
Despite the turnovers, the hosts dished out 21 assists and Kentucky coach John Calipari said Wall and Bledsoe are beginning to show potential as a tandem on the court.
"I thought that Eric Bledsoe and John Wall did some good things," he said.
Bledsoe said he feels like the team will improve, especially defensively as the season progresses.
"We have to come into practice focused and then come out and play," he said. "We weren't used to playing defense and we have to pick up in our next game. This game gives us something to think about. We have a tough season and we have to come into practice and focus more on defense. Practice is going to be hard and intense these next couple days."
