Kentucky basketball's first season was in 1902. In the 124 years since, this program has hit 14 or more losses in a season only four times. It has hit 13 losses just seven times.
Why is that important now? Unless Mark Pope and Kentucky run the table and win out, they will finish with at least 13 losses (following an SEC Tournament exit) and possibly 14 (following an NCAA Tournament exit). Think about that: in over a century of basketball, this would be a top-12 worst season ever. That is how far the program has slipped.
The "13-Loss" list (Only 7 times ever)
- 1926-27: 3–13 (Basil Hayden's only year)
- 1966-67: 13–13 (Adolph Rupp)
- 1973-74: 13–13 (Joe B. Hall)
- 1984-85: 18–13 (Joe B. Hall)
- 2005-06: 22–13 (Tubby Smith)
- 2006-07: 22–12 (Tubby Smith)
- 2007-08: 18–13 (Billy Gillispie)
The "14-Loss" list (The absolute bottom)
- 1988-89: 13–19 (Eddie Sutton's final year)
- 1989-90: 14–14 (Rick Pitino/Probation year)
- 2008-09: 22–14 (Billy Gillispie)
- 2020-21: 9–16 (John Calipari COVID year)
The postseason reality check
After the Florida loss, Mark Pope told Tom Leach, "Now we move to the postseason, and we’re going to win." He definitely believes they can pull it off, but after watching this team for 31 games be up and down from half to half, I can't see them winning five games in five days in Nashville, or six straight in the NCAA.
I hope they do; maybe they can surprise us. We have seen in the wins over St. John's, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt that this team can play with the best in the country. But we have also seen them lose by 20+ to Gonzaga and Vanderbilt.
If they don't find a way to "run the table," Mark Pope will have presided over a season that ranks among the five most statistically disastrous in the history of the University of Kentucky.