In a game Mark Pope bluntly called “really, really disappointing,” there wasn’t much to celebrate. Kentucky’s offense sputtered to a 33.3% shooting night, the defense broke down repeatedly, and Georgetown ran the Wildcats off their own floor—at one point leading by 17.
But amid all the frustration, Pope found one area that met his standard.
Finding the Silver Lining
“They’re a little deceiving because we shot the ball so poorly,” Pope said when asked about the stat sheet. “But I did think our guys’ persistence on the offensive glass was a positive thing tonight… in a game where there wasn’t a lot for us.”
Kentucky’s effort on the boards stood out, even as the rest of the performance fell flat. The Wildcats pulled down 16 offensive rebounds, converting them into 11 second-chance points—a small but meaningful sign of grit on an otherwise deflating night.
Chandler and Dioubate Bring the Energy
Sophomore guard Collin Chandler and transfer forward Mo Dioubate led that charge, each finishing with seven rebounds. Dioubate, in particular, set the tone with relentless energy, fighting through traffic to extend possessions and spark brief momentum swings.
That kind of effort—crashing the boards, scrapping for loose balls, refusing to back down—is exactly what Pope wants to see become the team’s identity.
A Reality Check With a Message
After the game, Otega Oweh admitted that the Wildcats would be “super locked in” going forward—a comment that hinted at what was missing Thursday night. Georgetown wanted it more, and Kentucky simply can’t afford to have nights like that while wearing blue and white.
Still, in the middle of a humbling loss, the rebounding battle showed a glimpse of the toughness Pope has been preaching. It may have been a small victory, but it’s one he’ll build on as the Wildcats regroup and try to turn hustle into wins.
