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Mark Pope on Kentucky's improved competitive spirit: 'It takes all of us'

Mark Pope on Kentucky's improved competitive spirit: 'It takes all of us'

Kentucky basketball has gotten bashed lately for their lack of effort and even heart, as many criticized the way they were dismanted against Gonzaga in Nashville.

Kentucky Wildcats News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / December 14
Mark Pope was proud of Brandon Garrison's response to his recent struggles

Mark Pope was proud of Brandon Garrison's response to his recent struggles

Kentucky's lack of effort in recent games been under a microscope, but especially lately after falling to Gonzaga in embarrassing fashion last Friday. Well, a week later, the effort from the Wildcats on the court looked completely different in front of their home crowd, and it showed.

A huge second-half surge leads Kentucky to a 72-60 win over Indiana in Rupp Arena

A huge second-half surge leads Kentucky to a 72-60 win over Indiana in Rupp Arena

The Kentucky Wildcats faced a pivital game in Rupp Arena on Saturday as the Indiana Hoosiers made their way into Rupp Arena, the first time the two have squared off in Lexington in 15 years, and the first time the two have played each other in general in nine years.

Mark Pope News / Yardbarker / December 13
Kentucky breaks out of slump with huge win over Indiana

Kentucky breaks out of slump with huge win over Indiana

The Kentucky Wildcats (7-4) appeared to be lost through the first 10 games of the 2025-26 season, but a huge 72-60 win over Indiana (8-3) at Rupp Arena

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Arkansas and Texas Tech players get in handshake line scuffle
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Kentucky Wildcats News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / December 12
Mark Pope will continue to 'tweak' Kentucky's starting lineup going forward

Mark Pope will continue to 'tweak' Kentucky's starting lineup going forward

Kentucky has had their fair share of injuries this season, with Jaland Lowe missing six games and returning against Gonzaga last week for the first time since Nov.

No.1 Kentucky Volleyball Host NCAA Regional Final Versus No.3 Creighton

No.1 Kentucky Volleyball Host NCAA Regional Final Versus No.3 Creighton

The No. 1 seed Kentucky Wildcats (28-2) will face the No. 3 seed Creighton Bluejays (28-5) in the Lexington Regional Final of the 2025 NCAA Volleyball Tournament on Saturday, December 13, at 5 p.m.

Kentucky Wildcats News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / December 12
If there was ever a must-win game for Kentucky, Saturday against Indiana is it

If there was ever a must-win game for Kentucky, Saturday against Indiana is it

Kentucky is basketball is going to have plenty of nostalgia in Rupp Arena on Saturday when Historic border state rival Indiana comes to town to take on the Wildcats for the first time in nine years.

Kentucky Wildcats News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / December 11
Kentucky's 2026 schedule has been revealed with dates

Kentucky's 2026 schedule has been revealed with dates

Kentucky's 2026 opponents have already been revealed, which was released back in September. The Wildcats will have three permanant opponents in the SEC over the next four seasons in Florida, Tennessee, and South Carolina, with the other six games featuring rotating conference opponents in Kentucky's schedule over that span.

Otega Oweh News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / December 10
Otega Oweh showed improvement in his leadership against NC Central

Otega Oweh showed improvement in his leadership against NC Central

Kentucky has struggled lately, finding themselves in a very rough spot already this season. As they now sit at 6-4, all of their wins have came against teams ranked in the bottom half of D1, while all losses have come against more competitive, top 25-ranked teams.

Kentucky Wildcats News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / December 10

Is Kentucky losing momentum with a top prospect in the 2026 class?

Mark Pope has yet to land a big get on the recruiting trail, even just a 2026 commitment for that matter. By now, things were supposed to be much better than they are.

Kentucky Wildcats News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / December 10
This Kentucky team needs more of the fiery attitude Mark Pope displayed on Tuesday

This Kentucky team needs more of the fiery attitude Mark Pope displayed on Tuesday

It's clear that this Kentucky team has some major issues, but it ultimately starts with their effort, and after showcasing a lack of that in their previous three games, and especially after last game's 35-point debacle against Gonzaga, it seems like Mark Pope is completely fed up about what this team has been showing on the court.

Mark Pope News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / December 9
Mark Pope shared the harsh truth about Kentucky's current lack of competitiveness

Mark Pope shared the harsh truth about Kentucky's current lack of competitiveness

Kentucky basketball got a blowout win over NC Central on Tuesday night in Rupp Arena, but it was their offense that actually made it a blowout, because the defense was not on-par to the competition level of the team they were facing, to be honest.

College Basketball News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / December 9
Kentucky gets a much-needed therapy session in a blowout win over NC Central

Kentucky gets a much-needed therapy session in a blowout win over NC Central

Kentucky basketball entered Tuesday night's home contest against the NC Central Eagles, a game that the Wildcats really desperately needed, as they found themselves in a similar spot again like after the Michigan State loss, where they needed to look good after a very rough week, dropping two more quality non-conference games this time.

Mark Pope News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / December 9
Mark Pope on Kentucky's season turning around: 'We have the right guys to do this'

Mark Pope on Kentucky's season turning around: 'We have the right guys to do this'

Mark Pope and his Kentucky basketball squad have found themselves in a hard place. As they sit at 5-4 on the season after losing every quality game they've played so far, everything has looked out of sinc in every one of those losses.

Mark Pope News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / December 8
Mark Pope says his players are wearing themselves out in practices and workouts

Mark Pope says his players are wearing themselves out in practices and workouts

This Kentucky basketball team has had a lot to work on recently, and certainly as of late after putting together an embarrassing performance last week

Kentucky Wildcats News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / December 8
Denzel Aberdeen says Jaland Lowe being healthy is massive for Kentucky's offense

Denzel Aberdeen says Jaland Lowe being healthy is massive for Kentucky's offense

Kentucky has obviously struggled with a lack of energy and effort recently, and a result of that is an offense that looks poor with minimal flow, and a defense that is lazy with no resistance.

Kentucky Wildcats News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / December 8
Denzel Aberdeen knows Kentucky's effort hasn't translated into games

Denzel Aberdeen knows Kentucky's effort hasn't translated into games

The Kentucky Wildcats have not looked good in any of their losses this season, and it's not just a problem of not looking good, they've gotten embarrassed in their four losses against top 25 teams.

Kentucky Wildcats News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / December 8

Kentucky is no longer ranked in the AP Poll top 25 rankings

Kentucky basketball is yet to pick up a quality win this season, now 0-4 against top 25 opponents so far, with all of their wins coming in the quad 4 category, beating up on some of the worst-ranked teams in college basketball.

Kentucky Wildcats News / Stadium Rant / December 6
Kentucky Wildcats Lands Explosive Four-Star WR Kenny Darby After LSU Decommit

Kentucky Wildcats Lands Explosive Four-Star WR Kenny Darby After LSU Decommit

Will Stein, the new head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats, has been on the job for less than two days and is already making waves on the recruiting trail.

Kentucky Wildcats News / Yardbarker / December 5
Kentucky's $22 million roster not living up to its price tag

Kentucky's $22 million roster not living up to its price tag

Through nine games, that $22 million roster has become more of a meme than a blueprint to be followed.

Braylon Mullins contributes to No. 5 UConn's steady win vs. East Texas A&M
Iowa was 'exposed,' aims to parlay that into growth vs. Maryland
No. 1 Purdue eager to continue balanced scoring vs. No. 10 Iowa State
Miami embracing monster mentality ahead of clash vs. Southern Miss
No. 25 West Virginia women dominate Mercyhurst to end two-game skid
Kentucky Wildcats News / Yardbarker / December 5
New Kentucky HC Will Stein explains recruiting approach

'We win the relationships': New Kentucky HC Will Stein explains recruiting approach

Stein, like many coaches, believes that even with the way things are going, it's not just about money on the recruiting trail.

Former Florida head coach Billy Napier quickly lands new HC job
Alabama HC Kalen DeBoer becomes latest candidate to reject Penn State
How Michigan was able to flip four-star WR Brady Marchese from Georgia
College players whose NFL draft stock has risen the most this season
The 'College Football Playoff teams' quiz
Will Stein News / Larry Brown Sports / December 1
Kentucky makes decision on its new head coach

Kentucky makes decision on its new head coach

Kentucky is hiring Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein as its new head coach, according to Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports. An agreement is in the process of being finalized.

Mark Stoops officially out after 13 seasons at Kentucky
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Mark Stoops News / Field Level Media / November 30
Reports: Kentucky plans to fire coach Mark Stoops

Reports: Kentucky plans to fire coach Mark Stoops

Kentucky is set to fire coach Mark Stoops on Monday, per multiple reports. Stoops, 58, has spent the past 13 seasons at Kentucky and is the program's winningest coach at 82-80.

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