With a weekend to process Kentucky’s latest collapse, Wildcats legend Dan Issel delivered one of his most blunt assessments yet. Appearing on ESPN 680’s Rabaut & Co. on Monday, Issel said watching this year’s team reminded him of an old Andy Griffith Show episode — one where a father finally realizes he must stop letting his son get away with everything.
Griffith’s sheriff character had a simple solution: there’s “an old-fashioned woodshed out back.”
Issel’s message for Kentucky?
“It’s time to take this team to the woodshed!”
Kentucky enters Tuesday’s matchup with North Carolina Central at 5–4, with every loss coming against the only legitimate opponents on the schedule. The most recent — a humiliating 94–59 blowout by Gonzaga — triggered loud boos from a pro-Kentucky crowd in Nashville and pushed UK out of the AP Top 25 for the first time under Mark Pope.
“They don’t play together.”
Issel didn’t sugarcoat what he sees as the team’s biggest problem.
> “This team just doesn’t play together. They don’t help one another. They don’t try to get somebody else a good shot. They don’t help on defense. They don’t rebound.”
The lack of energy and competitiveness, he said, is overwhelming.
> “It looks like they don’t have much interest in playing basketball. And it’s really hard to watch.”
These concerns match the mood of Big Blue Nation, a fan base that entered the season buzzing after Kentucky dominated No. 1 Purdue in its exhibition opener.
Since then, UK has fallen to Louisville, Michigan State, North Carolina, and Gonzaga, and two of those games were noncompetitive from the opening tip.
Issel: Don’t blame Pope — blame the players
While fans online have increasingly targeted head coach Mark Pope, Issel believes that criticism is misplaced.
> “He didn’t forget how to coach over the summer.”
Issel reminded listeners Pope guided an injury-riddled roster to the Sweet 16 last season and tied an NCAA record with eight wins against AP top-15 opponents.
Any comparison to short-lived coaching disasters like Billy Gillispie or Kenny Payne?
> “Ridiculous,” Issel said. “Ludicrous.”
“He’s playing too many guys doing absolutely nothing.”
Issel said Kentucky’s rotation is far too large and far too forgiving.
Kentucky currently has 11 players averaging at least 15 minutes per game — a sign of early blowouts, injuries, and uncertainty — but Issel said it’s hurting the team.
> “The only weapon a coach has is playing time. Mark needs to find seven or eight guys that are going to play hard… and if you’re not, sit them on the bench.”
He continued:
> “Too many guys on the floor have awful shot selection. They don’t guard anybody. They don’t dive after loose balls.”
Issel did acknowledge that Pope built this roster using substantial NIL support, but he emphasized that players must take responsibility for their poor performances.
Cousins calls out the team — and Issel agrees
Former Kentucky star DeMarcus Cousins caused a stir last week by posting that the Wildcats have “no heart.” Pope didn’t disagree — and neither did Issel.
> “He didn’t blame Mark… he went after the players. And at some point, they are the ones who have to step up.”
As Issel pointed out, Kentucky went 1-for-13 from beyond the arc against North Carolina — with the lone made three coming from center Brandon Garrison.
Players admit the criticism is deserved
Senior guard Denzel Aberdeen said Monday that fans had every right to boo during the Gonzaga meltdown.
> “It’s quite understandable… we know we’re not playing the way we should be playing, and we’re gonna change it moving forward.”
Better health could help Kentucky:
Jaland Lowe returned from a shoulder injury.
Mouhamed Dioubate should return soon from an ankle issue.
Jayden Quaintance, a projected NBA lottery pick, is progressing from an ACL tear and could debut in the coming weeks.
Sweet 16 or miss the tournament entirely?
Host Louie Rabaut asked Issel which is more likely for this Kentucky team: a Sweet 16 run or missing March Madness altogether.
Issel didn’t hesitate.
> “I still have faith… but he’s gotta make some changes.”
His biggest demand? Accountability.
> “If you’ve got guys that can’t score and can’t guard anybody, sit their butts on the bench.”
Even amid chaos, Issel believes Mark Pope will make the hard decisions required — and that this team can still turn its season around.
