Kentucky Finds Grit, Not Offense, in Gritty Win Over Indiana
With just over 13 minutes left in Kentucky’s showdown with Indiana on Saturday night, something rare happened at Rupp Arena-fluid, cohesive offense. Kam Williams hit Brandon Garrison at the high post, then darted toward the rim. Garrison returned the favor with a slick pass, and Williams finished the give-and-go with a layup.
It was a moment of basketball poetry in a season that’s been more grind than groove for the 2025-26 Wildcats.
Kentucky’s 72-60 win over Indiana wasn’t pretty, but it was necessary. The Wildcats, now 7-4, finally showed the kind of fight you’d expect from a team trying to claw its way out of early-season struggles. After dropping their first four games against high-level competition, this one mattered-not just in the win column, but in the way it was earned.
Dioubate and Lowe Return, and It Shows
Two key pieces returned to the rotation and made an immediate impact. Forward Mouhamed Dioubate posted a double-double-14 points, 12 boards, and added five steals for good measure.
Guard Jaland Lowe chipped in 13 points, five rebounds, and two assists. For a team that’s been searching for rhythm, their presence brought a much-needed spark.
Still, the offensive numbers tell the story of a team that’s far from clicking. Kentucky shot just 37.9% from the field and a chilly 20% from beyond the arc (3-for-15).
And yet, they found a way. It was the lowest point total in a win during Mark Pope’s 47-game tenure as head coach.
That’s not the kind of stat you frame, but it does show this team can win ugly when it has to.
Offense Still a Work in Progress
Let’s be honest-no one expected a Mark Pope team to struggle this much on offense. The former BYU coach built his reputation on offensive efficiency, with three of his five Cougar squads finishing in the top 25 in KenPom’s adjusted offensive efficiency rankings. Last year, his first in Lexington, Kentucky ranked 10th in the same metric.
But this season? The numbers are tough to look at.
In five games against high-major opponents (plus Gonzaga, which plays like one), Kentucky is shooting just 38.1% from the field and a dismal 23.8% from three. They’ve been held under 70 points in three of those five games-66 against Michigan State, 64 versus North Carolina, and just 59 against Gonzaga.
Here’s why that matters: under Pope, Kentucky is 0-8 over the last two seasons when scoring in the 60s. And they’re 0-9 when failing to reach 72 points. That’s not a trend-it’s a warning sign.
Lowe’s Return Gives UK a New Gear
Lowe’s return from a shoulder injury changed the equation. At 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds, he brings a level of quickness and creativity that Kentucky’s offense has sorely missed. He can break down defenders off the dribble, re-attack off ball screens, and create looks when possessions stall.
“J-Lowe certainly helps us,” Pope said. “He was really terrific... being able to kind of re-attack and re-attack and re-attack... use the seal screen, and kind of find a way that actually makes some things happen.”
That’s exactly what Kentucky’s been lacking-someone who can generate offense when the system sputters.
Dioubate, meanwhile, brought the muscle. The 6-7, 230-pound forward grabbed five offensive boards and helped UK dominate second-chance points, 18-6. His physicality gave the Wildcats an edge they’ve often lacked this season.
“Mo is a big bully, man,” Lowe said. “We need a big bully on our team.”
The Road Ahead Doesn’t Get Easier
Next up: No. 22 St.
John’s in the CBS Sports Classic in Atlanta. And if you’re looking for a get-right game offensively, this ain’t it.
Rick Pitino’s Red Storm are stingy. They’re holding opponents to 40.8% shooting and just 30.6% from deep.
They rank 15th nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency. For a Kentucky team still finding its offensive identity, this matchup will be another serious test.
There are still questions about whether Kentucky built a roster with enough shooting and offensive skill to run Pope’s preferred style. But the head coach isn’t backing down.
“I do think we have a chance to be an elite offensive team,” Pope said after the Indiana win. “We’re gonna get great, man. We’re gonna be relentless, and we will will ourselves into playing some great basketball.”
That’s the kind of belief you want from your head coach. But belief alone won’t fix a 23.8% three-point clip or a sub-70 scoring average in big games.
For now, Kentucky’s offense remains a work in progress. But if Saturday night was any indication, this team is willing to scrap, claw, and fight for every inch. And sometimes, that’s where the turnaround begins.