Coming into this week, Kentucky’s finest win on its résumé in the course of the first month of the 2025-26 season got here towards Valparaiso, a crew presently ranked No. 221 within the NET Rankings. In reality, all 5 of Kentucky’s wins this season have come towards opponents ranked within the decrease half of the NET.
From 10,000 ft, all 4 of Kentucky’s losses — together with a 94-59 loss to No. 11 Gonzaga at Bridgestone Enviornment in Nashville on Friday — aren’t a purpose to go full-on panic mode, but. Dropping to Louisville, Michigan State, North Carolina and Gonzaga just isn’t the tip of the world when these groups are anticipated to be within the combine for the nationwide title.
Nonetheless, peeling again the layers on the dearth of manufacturing thus removed from Kentucky’s high-priced roster and factoring within the expectations for Yr 2 of Mark Pope’s tenure at his alma mater, you will have an uncomfortable reality: The outcomes, to date, aren’t going to chop it.
“We have now nice younger males and we’re in a foul spot proper now,” Pope stated.
Gonzaga did not simply beat Kentucky in entrance of a pro-Wildcat crowd. It dominated from begin to end in one of the vital spectacular and stunning outcomes of the season. Kentucky shot 5 of 31 from the ground (3 of 20 from the 3-point line) in the course of the first half and did not make its first area objective till practically 9 minutes into the sport.
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The Wildcats missed their first 10 photographs, which was probably the most consecutive misses to open a recreation for UK within the final eight seasons, per the ESPN broadcast. By the point the primary half was over, Pope’s crew had made extra free throws (seven) than area targets.
The second half wasn’t significantly better, both. Kentucky completed 16 of 60 (26.7%) from the ground and seven of 34 (20.6%) from the 3-point line. The 26.7% from the ground marked Kentucky’s worst capturing efficiency since 2006. The constructive, if there’s one, is that Kentucky did shoot higher from the 3-point line within the final recreation towards North Carolina, when Pope’s crew completed 1 of 13 from past the arc.
Kentucky is now off to its worst begin for the reason that shortened 2020-21 season, when John Calipari’s crew began 1-6 earlier than SEC play started. Earlier than that, the final time Kentucky misplaced at the least 4 video games earlier than SEC play began, it’s a must to return to the 2007-08 marketing campaign, when this system began 6-7.
At a spot like Kentucky, the place outcomes are measured in Remaining 4 appearances and gamers chosen within the first spherical of the NBA Draft, these numbers aren’t going to chop it now or anytime quickly.
Kentucky caught lightning in a bottle throughout Pope’s first season on the helm. Kentucky upset Duke within the Champions Traditional, had an unimaginable comeback win over Gonzaga in Seattle and defeated Louisville at dwelling with a roster that did not embody a single returning scholarship participant. In reality, in Pope’s first SEC recreation, Kentucky defeated eventual nationwide champion Florida 106-100 in one of the vital entertaining video games of the yr.
Gonzaga goes to be a crew that performs deep into the NCAA Match, so there isn’t any disgrace in Kentucky dropping to them. The Bulldogs have the right recipe, led by star huge man Graham Ike, to do some critical injury in the course of the subsequent few months. This recreation was simply as necessary for Gonzaga’s résumé, as Kentucky is presently the last-ranked crew remaining on its schedule.
Kentucky nonetheless has loads of probabilities for redemption, with video games upcoming towards No. 22 Indiana and No. 23 St. John’s this month till the calendar flips to 2026. Kentucky additionally is not enjoying at full power. Star switch Jayden Quaintance, a projected lottery decide within the 2026 NBA Draft, has but to look in a recreation this season, and his timeline to return is unclear after recovering from offseason ACL surgical procedure.
Earlier this week marked the tip of the honeymoon part for Pope at his alma mater. After this consequence, it may be time for some critical intervention earlier than issues go south shortly.
