Mark Pope didn’t try to soften it after Kentucky’s 89-69 loss to Kansas in Chicago. He called it what it was, and he did it plainly.
“Well, I don’t think it’s possible to overreact to this loss,” Pope said after the game about the response to UK’s blowout. “This is a tough loss for us.
We did not play well. We did not play up to our standard.
We did not deal with disruption well. So on that front, this is a full-on reaction, and we have to get better.”
That kind of night tends to bring out everybody - national writers, former players, celebrities and a loud slice of the fan base - and the reaction came fast.
One stat making the rounds came from UK’s stats guru, who noted the most career losses by at least 20 points for Kentucky head coaches since 1930, with total games coached at the school in parentheses. Adolph Rupp leads the list with 7 in 1,066 games.
Mark Pope is already up to 5 in 75 games, tied with John Calipari at 5 in 533 and Eddie Sutton at 5 in 130. Rick Pitino had 4 in 269, Tubby Smith 2 in 346, Joe B.
Hall 2 in 397 and Billy Gillispie 1 in 67.
The national media didn’t hold back, either.
Kyle Tucker of 247Sports wrote, “Last year, Kentucky trailed 12 teams by at least 16 points: Louisville, Michigan State, Gonzaga, Alabama, LSU, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Florida three times, Texas A&M, Iowa State. Trailed Kansas by 23 and lost by 20 tonight. I mean, what more is there to say?”
CBS Sports writer Isaac Trotter added, “Kansas has been practicing with Trey Kaufman-Renn for a couple weeks. It looks far more in sync than Kentucky.
That’s a pretty scary thought for Mark Pope. How is it this bad, this quickly?”
ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla pointed to the way Milan Momcilovic’s move to Kentucky has played out so far, saying, “I’m a Mark Pope fan and a fan of Milan Momcilovic. A great kid who I hope has a great season.
But when he signed at @KentuckyMBB, there was a fantasy draft feel to it. Keep in mind that this great shooter played with two of the best playmakers in the country last year at @CycloneMBB in Lipsey and Jefferson.
Larry Glover, host of Live Glover Live on X and YouTube, was even more blunt: “They don’t play hard on defense, they don’t work the glass, they don’t take care of the ball, they have no plan on offense and defense and no idea how to box out and get position to rebound on either end.
Former Kentucky players weighed in next, and their frustration was just as sharp.
Jay Shidler said, “Something is seriously not right with this team. The talent is there but no one seems to be on the same page, especially on offense.
There’s no flow and most of the guys are running around looking bewildered. I still like our talent.
It’s there at every position. But you have to come in prepared, especially a marquee matchup.
Confusion on offense & defense & getting out hustled & beat on the boards is a sign of unpreparedness. It becomes a bigger problem when no adjustments are made.”
Reggie Hanson said, “We just don’t have that Kentucky swag. I thought our guys were a little too cool and nonchalant going into the game and that caught up with us real quick. We were definitely exposed in every phase of the game.”
Aaron Harrison tried to keep the message inside the locker room simple: “Yall boys stick together, forget the media , try to tune us out a little bit (BBN), and figure it out. Just getting started.”
The celebrity reaction wasn’t any kinder.
Country singer JD Shelburne said, “Kentucky loses to Kansas. An embarrassing effort.
I sit back as a fan and wonder sometimes will we ever be elite again? I’ll still try to remain positive.
Bill Self took Mark Pope out behind the barn on this one. Lots to work on.
Focus on moving forward.
Fox 56 chief meteorologist Justin Logan posted, “I’m a diehard, bleed blue, lifelong Kentucky basketball fan, but I’m in misery with the status of the program.”
And then there was the fan reaction, which matched the mood everywhere else.
Audrey Fowler wrote, “This ain’t the Kentucky basketball standard and I don’t see it getting better without change.”
Mason Tucker posted, “In his 75 games at Kentucky, Mark Pope has trailed by double digits in 27 of them. In his 52 power conference games he has trailed by double digits in 24 of them.”
Jerry L. Perry said, “Bilas totally lighting up UK on national TV …. I don’t care for Bilas but maybe UK getting made fun of will hit home for those who can make decisions after the season.”
Kim Smith wrote, “Just my opinion, but if we aren’t actively trying to get the best shooter (Milan Momcilovic) in the country a single good look at the basket, what are we doing? Also, the bigs need to be on the block more for rebounding and to open up the outside shot.”
And @ky_sweetheart17 admitted, “You know how checked out I am I didn’t even know Kentucky was playing basketball last night. I feel like if I catch the game on I will watch, but I’m not dropping everything like I used to. Please trolls tell me how I’m a bad fan I feel like arguing today!”
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Zoom Diallo did his part with 24 points, and Malachi Morenos foul trouble only added to Kentuckys problems as the frontcourt rotation thinned out. Kansas freshman Tyran Stokes led the way with 21 points and nine rebounds in the 89-69 loss, leaving Kentucky with another reminder that its margin for error shrinks fast when the ball security and physical defense are not there. [Read more 🡒]
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