When Brandon Garrison is the only person on your roster to make a 3-point shot in a game, it's bad. The honeymoon phase for Mark Pope didn't just end Tuesday night, it crashed and burned in spectacular fashion.
Brandon Garrison for 3 pic.twitter.com/UrsyRE7F96
— Rare Rookies #BBN (@rarerookies) December 3, 2025
In a game where North Carolina seemed determined to hand Kentucky a victory, missing free throws, committing unforced turnovers, and looking generally disorganized, the Wildcats found a way to refuse the gift.
This is a season from hell for Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats. Just an inexcusable product, no matter the injury situation.
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) December 3, 2025
Bad basketball team.
Despite holding a lead with under three minutes to play in front of a raucous Rupp Arena crowd, Kentucky collapsed the entire second half, falling 67-64 to the Tar Heels and it is amazing it was that close. The loss drops Kentucky to 5-3 on the season, but the record isn't what has Big Blue Nation furious. It is the way they lost.
Absolutely inexcusable to lose to this unc team at rupp. 10+ minutes without a field goal. Out hustled out rebounded out coached. This is not kentucky basketball. Mark pope wont last long if this keeps up. I said what I said
— BigBlueArthur (@bigbluebosshog) December 3, 2025
A 10-minute plus scoring drought in the second half? A roster that costs millions in NIL money getting bullied by Hubert Davis? A final possession that ended in a turnover without a shot even going up?
Mark Pope is going to lose this fan base as fast as he caught it if this doesn’t get turned around. This isn’t Kentucky basketball #BBN
— Logan Lawson (@bbnlog) December 3, 2025
Social media was not kind and they shouldn't be. And some fans are even calling for Mark Pope's head.
Mark Pope is not the guy. He was never the guy. He’s completely out of his element here and it’s never going to work. Thanks for being a really good guy mark but you can need to go elsewhere
— Thrill Keightley (@Cincitucky1) December 3, 2025
Mark Pope watching his team make 1 field goal the final 13:03 at home pic.twitter.com/44DYeYngWP
— Shane B (@strait_vibinn) December 3, 2025
Mark Pope shouldn’t have his job tmr morning.
— Pope’s Crib (@ScoopLexington) December 3, 2025
The undisputed highest payroll in the country. Some claim it is TWO TIMES the likes of Duke, Houston, Arizona, Purdue etc.
This team is genuinely on bubble watch.
DISGUSTING.
Mark Pope is officially coaching for his job from here on out, in my opinion
— WT - Mo D Enthusiast (@WildcatsTongue) December 3, 2025
Mark Pope was hired to bring a modern, high-octane offense to Lexington. What fans witnessed in the second half was offensive malpractice.
From the 15-minute mark until Otega Oweh’s layup with 2:43 remaining, Kentucky did not make a single field goal. They missed layups, forced bad threes, and looked completely lost against UNC’s length.
Mark Pope’s offense for 15 minutes straight pic.twitter.com/8jLlXMt1HN
— Hawg Randy (@hawg_randy) December 3, 2025
To add insult to injury, the dagger didn't come from a random player. It came from Derek Dixon, a freshman guard who silenced Rupp Arena with a step-back three and a clutch layup in the final minute.
That’s a terrible Kentucky basketball loss
— Derek Terry (@DerekSTerry) December 3, 2025
And then there was Caleb Wilson, the recruit Kentucky desperately wanted, who finished the game with a steal on the final possession to seal the win for the Heels. Watching a recruit you missed on celebrate on your logo is a special kind of pain.
The fun is over. The we are just happy to be here vibes are gone. Mark Pope is now facing the first real fire of his tenure.
Losing to a North Carolina team that tried to give the game away, in your own building, is a stain that won't wash off quickly. The pressure is officially on.