It’s that bad.
Kentucky Basketball and its fans have seen more than enough struggles already for one season.
Time and time again, the now 14-7 Wildcats come out flat and unprepared with a lack of energy to start games.
Preparation and effort are two things that everyone can control, regardless of talent level or NIL values.
Yet Kentucky head coach Mark Pope and his team have fumbled the bag in multiple ways this season, most recently on Tuesday in an embarrassing loss to the No. 18 Vanderbilt Commodores, 80-55.
The Wildcats trailed by 20 at the half and only got worse in the second of two periods, shooting a horrific 32% from the field and 25% from three-point range by the end of the game. They also had 15 turnovers in the loss.
It was so bad that you have to go back 18 years to see when they last lost to Vanderbilt in such a way. In fact, it was head coach Billy Gillespie’s final season in 2008 when No. 24 Vanderbilt boatraced Kentucky, 92-53.
No one is making direct comparisons from Pope to Gillespie — especially given the injuries Pope has had to deal with in his first season and a half as HC. However, the disturbing trends of little-to-no preparation, lineup issues, and inability to motivate players he hand-selected in both recruiting as well as the transfer portal are all alarming.
Kentucky will look to regroup before hitting the road once again, this time to pay former head coach John Calipari a visit.
Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 PM ET on Saturday with coverage on ESPN & the UK Radio Sports Network.
This is the title for the native ad
Another worrisome stat on Mark Pope’s resume.
Not exactly the kind of company you want to be in, but that’s where Mark Pope has Kentucky Basketball headed.
That was embarrassing.
Kentucky gets dominated again.
The Wildcats and the Commodores square off in a Music City showdown.
This is the title for the native ad
© 2026 Vox Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537). Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C.) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT) or visit FanDuel.com/RG.
