Look, injuries hurt. They aren't doing Mark Pope any favors this year, after destroying the team last year. Jayden Quaintance has never seen the floor, Mo Dioubate is out, Jaland Lowe is out, and the team is disjointed. But let's be real: injuries do not excuse horrendous play. The product on the floor has been unwatchable at times, and the numbers back up the eye test.
Going back to last season in their last 8 ranked matchups, Kentucky is a staggering 1-7.
- 2025: Losses to North Carolina, Michigan State, Louisville.
- 2024: Losses to Tennessee, Alabama (x2), Auburn. The only win? Missouri.
That is an inexcusable streak for a program of this caliber. But the problem goes deeper than just losing to good teams. The offense is broken fundamentally and I am not sure there is a fix.
Related: Andrija Jelavic calls North Carolina 'toughest' moment of the season
Through 8 games, something has to change with Kentucky’s 3-point shooting
The Cats are 72/214 from deep, just 33.6% on the year. They’re making 9 threes per game while attempting nearly 27. So far, the only game Kentucky has shot 40% or better from three was vs. Tennessee Tech (50%). The closest they've come since was 39% vs. Valparaiso. If Kentucky wants to even be a functioning basketball team, they have to start making some 3's.
But here is the stat that should really keep you up at night if you have followed Kentucky for a while. Take a look at previous Kentucky teams who have started 5-3 or worse since 1999:
- 2025-26: 5-3 (???)
- 2020-21: 2-6 (Missed Tournament)
- 2012-13: 5-3 (Missed Tournament)
- 2008-09: 5-3 (Missed Tournament)
- 2007-08: 4-4 (Lost 1st Round)
History is screaming that this is a bad sign. A start this bad usually results in a wasted season. We are staring down the barrel of a missed tournament if Mark Pope can't figure this out immediately, with an insanely expensive roster. That is a nightmare scenario for year two.