Kentucky head coach Mark Pope didn’t shy away from addressing Auburn’s post-game celebration after the Tigers secured a dominant victory over the Wildcats. Auburn players celebrated with a leather belt on the court, a move that didn’t sit well with Kentucky fans.
Pope’s Response
“It hurts me to the bottom of my heart, I know it hurts BBN, but Auburn came in and they beat us and they got to celebrate. That’s it,” Pope said. “If you don’t want guys celebrating, then win the game. It’s as simple as that. I don’t like talking about it, I don’t like remembering it, I don’t like seeing it, but it’s the truth.”
The Loss
The loss to Auburn was a tough one for Kentucky, as the Tigers controlled much of the game and made key plays down the stretch to seal the win. Kentucky struggled to match Auburn’s physicality and energy, leading to frustration both on and off the court.
Moving Forward
While Auburn’s celebration with the belts may have added salt to the wound, Pope refused to make excuses or dwell on the moment. “We didn’t hold up our end of the bargain on Saturday, and players choose to celebrate how they choose to celebrate,” Pope added.
Up Next
Kentucky will now turn its attention to bouncing back, using the Auburn loss as fuel to improve and reclaim momentum. The Wildcats will host LSU on Tuesday, with tipoff set for 7:00 PM ET at Rupp Arena. The game will be televised on ESPN.
Senior Night
Tuesday’s game will also serve as Senior Night, as Kentucky honors six seniors: Koby Brea, Andrew Carr, Lamont Butler, Jaxson Robinson, Ansley Almonor, and Amari Williams.
Pope’s message is clear: celebrations from opposing teams are part of the game, and the only way to stop them is to take care of business on the court.
