That was embarrassing.
Some nights, you just don’t have it.
Kentucky had nothing going on either side of the ball in an 80-55 loss to Vanderbilt Tuesday night in Nashville. It was even worse than the final score indicates. It truly was an all-systems failure.
Burn the tape. We’re on to Arkansas.
Before the game, Vanderbilt head coach Mark Byington switched his lineup to a heavier presence in the front court with guard Duke Miles out with an injury. It set the tone for the first 20 minutes.
The Commodores completely out-toughed the Wildcats in addition to outclassing them. Led by Tyler Tanner’s 12 points, four assists, and three steals, the Commodores raced out to a 7-0 lead and never took their foot off the gas.
Vanderbilt shot 7-of-14 from three-point range and out-rebounded Kentucky 27-16. The Commodores also had eight offensive rebounds to Kentucky’s six.
Kentucky never got into a rhythm offensively in the first half. Its biggest run was 4-0, and it never led at any point in the first 20 minutes.
Otega Oweh scored six points, but he only went 3-of-11 from the field. The Wildcats were 9-of-32 from the field and 2-of-11 from three-point range overall.
As the second half unfolded, it was clear the Wildcats just didn’t have it. Vanderbilt throwing a massive punch in the first half clearly had an impact on the Wildcats for the rest of the game.
Every time the Wildcats tried to get into a rhythm, they just could not fully get into one.
Kentucky got good looks, but a lot of them did not go in. It was that kind of night. Loose balls, missed open shots, careless mistakes, and no energy all contributed to Tuesday night’s debacle in Nashville.
There was visible frustration coming from Otega Oweh, Mark Pope, and a lot of the Kentucky players.
Some nights you just don’t have it. That was Kentucky on Tuesday night.
Nobody deserves to be the MVP from this game. Sure, Otega Oweh and Denzel Aberdeen scored well over 10 points, with Oweh getting to 20 points. But nobody played well on a night where the collective had no answer for Vanderbilt and no rhythm on either side of the ball.
Big Blue Nation was strongly displeased during Tuesday night’s game. To no surprise, head coach Mark Pope and UK Athletics director Mitch Barnhart caught a lot of heat.
This is the title for the native ad
Kentucky basketball has spent the last five years crumbling. From St. Peter’s to the current “Ferrari” disaster, we rank the people responsible.
When he speaks, you should at least listen even if you don’t agree with him.
Vanderbilt called Kentucky’s physicality a “weakness.” Mark Pope agreed, admitting the “disastrous effort” proves his team still lacks the fight it needs.
It’s that bad.
Another worrisome stat on Mark Pope’s resume.
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.
