The Kentucky Wildcats basketball roster is rumored to cost $22 million. This team, assembled with high expectations and an assignment to "Win #9," has struggled to deliver so far. After eight games, Kentucky stands at 5-3, with all three losses coming against the only ranked opponents they have played, and each defeat has been disappointing in different ways. The team trailed by double digits for most of the game against Louisville, got embarrassed by Michigan State, and went 13 minutes without scoring a basket against a struggling North Carolina squad that went on a 5 minute scoring drought of their own.
Gonzaga is a must win game for Kentucky basketball
The current atmosphere among Big Blue Nation is one of frustration, anger, and the patience is wearing thin. Some argue it's too early in the season to judge, while others point to injuries as a significant factor.
Projected lottery pick Jayden Qauintance has missed the entire season due to an ACL injury he suffered last year, though he was just cleared for 5-on-5 work. Starting point guard Jaland Lowe has played in just two regular season games, and Mo Dioubate is sidelined again with a high ankle sprain that could keep him out all December long. Missing three starters would challenge any program, but with a $22 million roster, expectations remain high that someone will step up. And so far they just haven't.
This roster was touted as "13 guys deep," yet so far, none have consistently delivered when needed most. There has been flashes, there have been moments, and there is plenty of time to get it right, but tonight's game is a crucial test. The team must prove its value, or questions about the direction of the Mark Pope era at Kentucky will only intensify.
The Cats need to play together and for each other, something they have yet to do very often this season to win. Mark Pope is only in year 2, is job shouldn't be questioned, but Kentucky shouldn't be 1-7 in their last 8 ranked matchups either.