After a bruising trip to New York City and a humbling 17-point loss to Michigan State, Kentucky returned home looking for answers — and delivered an emphatic one. Back inside Rupp Arena, the Wildcats didn’t just bounce back, they detonated, turning in an 88–46 statement win over Loyola (Md.) that felt cathartic for everyone in the building.
Kentucky led for all but 24 seconds, ballooned the margin to 48 at one point, and finally looked like the team Big Blue Nation expected to see. Here’s what stood out in Game 6 of the Mark Pope era.
Balanced, Connected, and Finally in Rhythm
Call it their most complete performance of the season.
No Wildcat scored more than 13 points. No scholarship player scored fewer than six. Eight different guys hit at least three field goals. And outside of a couple of late-game cold spells, the efficiency was both sharp and consistent.
Kentucky shot 56.8% from the field and 57.1% from three before halftime, finishing at 48.7% overall and 37.0% from deep. Even as the second half got sloppy with a massive lead, the Wildcats still posted 1.275 points per possession for the night.
This was the kind of across-the-roster performance Pope has been begging for — and his team finally delivered it.
Kam Williams Arrives — And Arrives Loudly
The Tulane transfer didn’t just earn his first start — he ran with it.
Williams exploded for 13 points on 5-9 shooting, grabbed nine rebounds, dished four assists, swiped three steals, and didn’t commit a turnover in 26 hyper-active minutes. He hit a buzzer-beating three to end the half, flew around on the glass, and was everywhere defensively.
Whether it was the new role, the new hair, or simply the added opportunity, this was the version of Williams Kentucky hoped to unlock. With Mo Dioubate sidelined, the door was open — Williams kicked it down. How Pope handles the rotation once Dioubate returns suddenly becomes a real question.
Run, Run, Run — and the Game Was Over Early
The mismatch was obvious the moment the schedule came out, but Kentucky still had to play with purpose. They did exactly that by turning the game into a track meet.
Fastbreak points:
Kentucky: 33
Loyola: 3
Transition points:
Kentucky: 24
Loyola: 2
The Wildcats punished the Greyhounds with pace, rim pressure, and quick-hit lob opportunities. Add in a 56–33 rebounding edge and a 52–16 paint advantage, and Loyola simply had no path to keep the game close.
Otega Oweh’s Edge Finally Returns
After admitting his effort and energy weren’t where they needed to be through five games, Otega Oweh came out like a man possessed. He scored in the first 15 seconds, added another bucket less than a minute later, and made his presence felt at both ends.
His offense cooled after halftime, but his defense ignited. Oweh posted three steals and repeatedly set the tone in transition and on-ball pressure — the version of him Kentucky desperately needs.
Pope noticed, and he didn’t hide his excitement.
> “Welcome back, my friend,” Pope said. “That guy is our guy. Him finding that a little bit, maybe for the first time this season, meant a lot to me.”
This was the closest Oweh has looked to last year’s bulldog version of himself. Kentucky needs that version nightly.
Brandon Garrison Loses His Starting Spot — Then Responds Like a Pro
Malachi Moreno earned the start, and the freshman rewarded Pope with 10 points, eight rebounds, four blocks, and some of his best minutes of the season.
But the story Pope kept coming back to wasn’t Moreno — it was Brandon Garrison.
Benched after a difficult two-game stretch, Garrison came off the bench with purpose. He finished with six points, a career-high 11 rebounds, and active, physical minutes that showed maturity instead of frustration.
Pope loved it.
> “Maybe the best story of the night,” he said. “BG was an incredible example tonight of learning. ‘Coach didn’t start me? I’m gonna be unbelievable in my 20 minutes.’”
If this version of Garrison sticks around, Kentucky’s frontcourt outlook shifts dramatically.
Mark Pope Admits It: He’s a “Terrible Loser” — And He Knows It Showed
Even with a 42-point win, Pope spent plenty of time reflecting on the raw frustration that followed the Michigan State loss. His late media appearance, clipped answers, and tense interviews made waves — and he didn’t sugarcoat any of it.
> “I stunk after Michigan State. I was terrible,” he said. “I’m a terrible, terrible loser. I hate it with a passion that is unknown on the planet Earth.”
He also made it clear his frustration came from the right place — his urgency to win at Kentucky, the school that helped shape his basketball life.
And now?
> “I love the fact that we’re a little bit in the hole and we get to pick ourselves out. I’m so good, guys. I’m really good. I’m pissy, but I’m good.”
Kentucky won’t see a real test until December, but this was an important step in clawing back from a turbulent 10 days.
