UK has big questions after barely escaping 30-point underdog NAU

Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope talks with guard Alex Wilkins. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Kentucky has major questions after barely escaping 30-point underdog Northern Arizona

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Nov 13, 2026 9:39 PM ET

The past few years of Kentucky basketball have not lived up to the reputation of the program. The early stages of the 2026-27 season are not really easing concerns that the program is drifting toward mediocrity.

That is especially true after a 78-77 win over Northern Arizona on Friday night where the Wildcats were booed by their home fans at multiple occasions throughout the night.

It's a win, and it avoided what would have been one of the most shocking upsets of the early college basketball season, but it's probably not one anybody in Kentucky is feeling good about.

Kentucky basketball has big questions this season

Northern Arizona entered Friday's game with an 0-3 record, were ranked 299th in the country in KenPom ratings and were a 30-point underdog going into the game.

And for most of the night, the Lumberjacks not only ran with Kentucky, but they had a four-point lead in the closing seconds before self-destructing down the stretch.

Northern Arizona missed the front end of two one-and-one free throws in the final 10 seconds, leaving the door open for Kentucky.

That allowed Alex Wilkins to walk the Wildcats through it with a game-winning 3-pointer with 2.1 seconds remaining.

ALEX WILKINS OMG

Clutch three to give Kentucky the late lead against 30-point underdog NAU! pic.twitter.com/rncMluJxtH
— ESPN (@espn) November 14, 2026

In the end, the boos were able to turn into cheers, and there is still a lot of basketball to be played this season and plenty of time for Kentucky to get back on track. But there is absolutely no reason for optimism through the first four games, even with a 3-1 record.

Their wins have come over Manhattan, James Madison and now Northern Arizona, with the latter two coming by a combined 10 points, and both of them at home at Rupp Arena. If Northern Arizona could make its foul shots, that likely ends up as an unacceptable loss.

The only big-time opponent they played this season, then-No. 15 ranked Kansas, was a 20-point loss at a neutral site.

The program is not at rock bottom. It is still mostly good. It wins a lot of games every year, it is routinely ranked, it makes the NCAA Tournament and plays into March. But this is one of the blueblood programs, and one that has been synonymous with winning and competing for national championship. But they have advanced beyond the second round of the tournament just one time since 2019, and now they are struggling to beat the likes of Northern Arizona and James Madison at home.

It is not where the program expects to be. It is not where the fans want them to be.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on X @AGretz

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