It’s becoming a frustrating theme in Lexington — and Tuesday night against Georgia was the clearest example yet.
Mark Pope’s Kentucky teams have shown fight all season. They’ve erased double-digit deficits, taken down ranked opponents, and proven they can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the SEC. But there’s one mistake that keeps surfacing at the worst possible time:
Waiting too long to adjust when the game starts slipping.
Against Georgia, the warning signs were there early. Defensive rotations were a step slow. The Bulldogs were getting comfortable looks from deep. Kentucky’s offense stalled into rushed shots and stagnant possessions. And yet, the momentum shift kept building before meaningful changes came.
By the time the Wildcats ramped up the defensive pressure and altered the rotation, they were already digging out of another double-digit hole.
It’s a pattern.
Kentucky has trailed by 12 or more points in a shocking number of its conference games this season. While the comeback ability has been impressive, relying on late-game rallies is a dangerous formula — especially in tight SEC matchups where possessions are magnified.
Against Georgia, it burned them.
The Bulldogs dictated tempo early, spread the floor, and attacked mismatches. Kentucky didn’t respond with urgency until the margin had grown uncomfortable. And in games where execution is everything, spotting an opponent that kind of cushion is asking for trouble.
The bigger issue isn’t effort — it’s timing.
Pope has shown he can make adjustments that work. Defensive schemes tighten. Lineups shift. Energy rises. But too often those changes feel reactive instead of proactive. Opponents are punching first, knowing Kentucky will try to rally instead of control from the opening tip.
And at Rupp Arena — where home dominance used to be automatic — that hesitation is costly.
The Georgia loss wasn’t about talent. It wasn’t about effort. It was about allowing the same early-game issues to snowball again.
With only a handful of regular-season games remaining, the Wildcats don’t have much time to clean it up. March doesn’t reward slow starts. It punishes them.
Mark Pope has proven he can coach Kentucky to big wins. Now the challenge is simple — and urgent:
Stop making the same mistake before it defines the season.
