Mark Pope, Kentucky deserve credit for run that has saved their season

After Kentucky started off 0-2 in SEC play and fell to 9-6 overall, many wondered if Mark Pope was the right man to lead the Wildcats. 

A non-conference slate that featured losses to North Carolina, Gonzaga, Louisville and Michigan State gave way to that 0-2 start in conference play with losses to Alabama and Missouri. 

But Pope and the 'Cats have saved their season over the last two weeks. 

Kentucky has won five games in a row, including Saturday's 72-63 victory over Ole Miss in Lexington, the 15th straight victory over the Rebels in Rupp Arena for the Wildcats.

Saturday's contest was a rock fight of a game, but Kentucky made enough plays and free throws down the stretch to earn a resume-protecting win.

Kentucky has rejuvenated its season

Kentucky's turnaround began with a blowout win over Mississippi State and continued with gritty, comeback victories over LSU and Tennessee. 

In the games against both LSU and Tennessee, the 'Cats looked completely lost in the early going. Kentucky trailed by 16 on the road in Baton Rouge before a second-half surge and game-winning jumper from Malachi Moreno lifted UK over the Tigers. 

Against Tennessee, Kentucky trailed by 11 at halftime before rallying for an 80-78 victory over the Vols that will look good on UK's resume come March.

Kentucky's five-game winning streak has not been completely free of setbacks, however. Kam Williams injured his foot in UK's Jan. 21 over Texas, while Jaland Lowe is out for the season after aggravating a shoulder injury against Mississippi State on Jan. 10. 

In the absence of Williams and Lowe, Otega Oweh has stepped up and become a bonafide SEC superstar. Over the course of Kentucky's five-game winning streak, Oweh is averaging 19.2 points per game, including scoring 23 against the Rebels on Saturday.

The Wildcats have still found ways to win, which is what great teams do regardless of circumstances.

The upcoming week will be a great test to see whether or not Kentucky can contend with the best in the SEC. The Wildcats will travel to No. 15 Vanderbilt on Tuesday before facing former UK head coach John Calipari and No. 20 Arkansas on Jan. 31.