Just days before Kentucky meets Indiana inside Rupp Arena, one of Mark Pope’s biggest offseason misses is suddenly lighting up college basketball—and the timing couldn’t be worse for the Wildcats.
When Pope failed to land Lamar Wilkerson out of the transfer portal, it stung. Wilkerson, a four-star guard with Kentucky ties, looked like a perfect fit to help usher in Pope’s first roster in Lexington. Instead, he chose the Indiana Hoosiers. And now? It’s becoming a painful “what if” for Big Blue Nation.
Lamar Wilkerson Is Going Off — and Kentucky Is Watching
Wilkerson has been nothing short of spectacular for Indiana. His latest performance was his most jaw-dropping yet: 10 made threes and 44 points in a statement win over Penn State. That’s the same player Kentucky hoped would be wearing blue this year—now becoming a star for a rival.
On the season, Wilkerson is averaging:
18.8 points
2.6 rebounds
2.6 assists
1.8 steals
Indiana sits at 8–2, while Kentucky continues to grind through a rocky 6–4 start.
Meanwhile in Lexington… Things Look Tense
Pope’s frustration has become increasingly visible on the sidelines. He shattered a clipboard during a timeout recently, fed up with repeated mistakes. Even his players took notice.
“It was justified… we gotta be sick and tired of the same thing happening over and over again,” senior guard Otega Oweh said. “But no, I haven’t seen him like that before.”
The intensity didn’t stop there. During the NC Central game—a 36-point win, no less—Pope erupted after a turnover from Brandon Garrison, screaming “Go sit down!” The forward never returned to the floor.
Kentucky may have talent, but the chemistry is still a work in progress, and Pope clearly isn’t thrilled with what he’s seeing.
And Now… the Matchup Everyone’s Noticing
Just as Kentucky searches for answers, the Wildcats are set to host the very player they missed out on. On Saturday, Dec. 13, Wilkerson and the Hoosiers come to Rupp Arena for a primetime showdown on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET.
For Kentucky fans, it’s hard not to wonder what this team might look like with a microwave scorer like Wilkerson in the backcourt—especially as the Wildcats struggle to find rhythm and reliability on both ends.
Now the guard who got away is rolling into town with confidence, momentum, and a spotlight bright enough to make Big Blue Nation wince.
