Mark Pope has been the face of optimism and energy for Kentucky basketball all season. But after a humbling loss to Alabama in the SEC Tournament, Wildcats fans saw a side of their head coach they hadn’t all year—dejection.
From the opening tip, Alabama controlled the game, handing Kentucky a lopsided defeat that left Pope frustrated. In his postgame press conference, he gave credit to the Crimson Tide while making it clear the Wildcats’ performance wasn’t up to standard.
The Wildcats struggled in multiple areas, including turnovers and three-point shooting. Kentucky coughed up the ball too many times against Alabama’s aggressive defense, disrupting any rhythm they hoped to establish.
Kentucky’s struggles from beyond the arc also played a role in the loss, as the Wildcats hit just 5-of-19 attempts from three.
While Pope was visibly upset, he also made it clear that Kentucky’s focus has to shift quickly to the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats have the talent to make a deep run, but Pope knows they must respond to adversity in a way they didn’t against Alabama.
One bright spot for Kentucky was the effort of freshman guard Travis Perry, who saw increased minutes in the backcourt.
With the SEC Tournament behind them, Kentucky’s path forward now lies in the NCAA Tournament. Pope believes the grind of the SEC has prepared the Wildcats for the challenges ahead.
The Wildcats will soon learn their NCAA Tournament fate, and Pope will have to rally his team quickly. If this team wants to make a deep run, they’ll need to respond better to adversity than they did against Alabama.