Kentucky basketball fans are biting their nails in February 2025, and it’s not just because of the SEC grind. Under first-year coach Mark Pope, the Wildcats have been hit harder than a piñata at a kid’s party— Lamont Butler, Andrew Carr, Jaxson Robinson, and Kerr Kriisa have all been knocked down like bowling pins—some multiple times.
Take Butler: the guy was a rock, playing 104 straight games at San Diego State before a sprained ankle at Clemson on December 3 snapped his streak. He gutted it out post-injury, only to have a shoulder blow dive-bomb his season, sidelining him for five more games (and counting) as of February 21.
Then there’s Andrew Carr, a transfer who’d barely missed a beat in four years—117 out of 118 games at Delaware and Wake Forest—until his back started whispering trouble during a December 31 win over Brown. He’s toughed it out, but fans saw the grimace: he barely lasted 90 seconds against Tennessee and looked off until a breakout rout of Vanderbilt on February 19. Pope admitted Carr couldn’t even practice back-to-back days until this week.
Meanwhile, Jaxson Robinson, Pope’s old BYU scoring ace, has been a warrior—66 of 68 games in two years there—but a wrist injury from a “scary” practice moment (Pope’s words) has him out for three straight.
And Kerr Kriisa? A fractured foot against Gonzaga has robbed him of 17 games, despite limping back on defense in the moment like a champ. A medical redshirt may be in his future.
The Wildcats’ 82-78 loss to Texas on February 15 exposed the cracks—Kentucky’s dead-last nationally in forcing turnovers—and yet, they rallied to throttle Vanderbilt two days later. It’s a testament to Pope’s next-man-up grit, with young guns like Travis Perry stepping up and Otega Oweh chasing a rare Kentucky feat: scoring double digits every game.
Historically, Kentucky thrives in chaos—think Anthony Davis bulldozing to the 2012 title—but this 2025 squad’s resolve is being tested like never before. Pope, who forged BYU into a tough out, sees the pain in his veterans’ eyes—fifth-years like Butler and Carr, dreaming of one last Rupp Arena roar, now battling to just get on the floor.
Can Pope turn this battered bunch into March Madness magic? The injuries won’t fully heal this season, Pope hints, but the Wildcats’ spirit might. Texas showed their flaws; Vanderbilt showed their fight. Pope has even hinted this is a new season for his new team after the injuries.
The good news? Otega Oweh is chasing a rare Kentucky accolade—double-digit scoring in every game—and his fire might just light the way. So, can Kentucky get healthy in 2025? The answer is maybe, but probably not completely.
Pope’s no stranger to adversity though, having turned Brigham Young into a mid-major menace. Against Vanderbilt, his Wildcats flipped a tight halftime score into a second-half blowout, showing flashes of brilliance. Big Blue Nation is watching every limp, every leap, and every last-second shot.
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