Kentucky Wildcats Face Big Test In Fixing Struggles

The Bulldogs racked up 46 points in the paint, with Graham Ike and Braden Huff combining for 48 points overall. On the other side, Kentucky struggled early, missing 42 of their first 47 shots and taking seven minutes to finally score, raising the question: is this really a good shooting team?

The answers need to be addressed quickly, or this season could spiral out of control.

This Is Not Kentucky Basketball

For a place with Kentucky’s stature, this is unacceptable. This state bleeds blue, and Kentucky sports are what keep families united and moving forward. Right now, though, there seems to be a disconnect between the coaching staff, fans, media, and others.

Last season was a thrilling ride for the Wildcats, with big wins over the Duke Blue Devils, the Tennessee Volunteers twice, and a huge victory against Gonzaga in Seattle. They also pulled off a triumph over the Louisville Cardinals and took down the defending national champions, the Florida Gators, at Rupp Arena. But a year later, the energy and momentum have taken a different turn.

Not ideal for a program in a state known for basketball.

Can Kentucky Improve?

At this point, who really knows, with panic setting in. Last night, former Wildcat DeMarcus Cousins spoke up about the team’s heart, and Pope quickly responded: “As a former player, I’m pissed at the coach too, and that’s all deserved,” Pope said. “There’s nothing inappropriate about what he said at all.”

“All the boos we heard tonight were totally deserved, mostly for me, and we’ve got to fix it,” Pope said. This marks the second game in a row where Kentucky has struggled from beyond the arc—against North Carolina, the Wildcats went just 1 for 13 from three-point range. After tonight’s rough showing, the mood is anything but positive.

With a tough stretch ahead, facing Indiana at home after hitting just 1 of 13 from three, then taking on St. John’s Red Storm, and SEC play kicking off with Alabama looming, the team needs to pull together and figure things out.

End Of My Kentucky Rant

Last night was one of the toughest I can remember for Kentucky basketball, and legendary coach Bruce Pearl made a comment that really resonated with the fanbase. Speaking on the current situation, he said, “It’s time to have some one-on-one meetings with these players about who they’re playing for. The name on the front of the jersey, Kentucky, has to mean something. It’s got to mean more than the name on the back of the jersey.”

This isn’t just a Kentucky problem—it’s a national issue, and plenty in the media are calling out the ugly product happening in Lexington. The season can still be salvaged, but it’s time to tune out the noise, focus on practice, and leave all other distractions behind. Otherwise, this season will be a wash, and Kentucky will miss the NCAA tournament.