Just six days ago, Rupp Arena was rocking. The Kentucky Wildcats looked unstoppable after dismantling No. 1 Purdue in their first exhibition game. But on Thursday night, all that early excitement came crashing down to earth.
The Georgetown Hoyas — a team not even projected to make the NCAA Tournament — walked into Lexington and stunned the ninth-ranked Wildcats 84–70, snapping Kentucky’s 11-year exhibition win streak and giving head coach Mark Pope his first major reality check in Rupp.
“I Hate Every Bit of It.”
The frustration was written all over Pope’s face. His voice was hoarse, his tone sharp.
> “I hate every bit of it,” Pope said after the game. “But if we treat it right, it will serve us well.”
The Wildcats were flat from start to finish — out of rhythm offensively and exposed defensively. Georgetown took control midway through the first half and never looked back, leading by double digits for the final 17 minutes.
Junior forward Mouhamed Dioubate, one of the few bright spots with 13 points and seven rebounds, knew what was coming next.
> “We got film tomorrow morning,” he said. “It’s gonna be a long film session.”
Georgetown Came Prepared — Kentucky Didn’t
The Hoyas didn’t sneak in a fluke win. They dominated.
Georgetown shot 55.4% from the field, including 65% on two-pointers, and bullied Kentucky in the paint 38–24. Star guard Malik Mack led the way with 22 points, slicing through the defense at will.
> “When I have a lane, I feel like I’m quick enough to get to the basket,” Mack said. “It wasn’t planned — just what the defense gave me.”
Unfortunately, the defense gave him plenty.
Pope has preached defense as his top priority since taking over the program, but his team looked lost. Kentucky was missing its top two point guards, Jaland Lowe and Denzel Aberdeen, both out with injuries, yet Pope made it clear that wasn’t an excuse.
> “That’s not an excuse for the way we played on defense,” Dioubate said. “We gotta bring that dog — and we didn’t bring it today.”
Offensive Struggles Add to the Pain
As bad as the defense looked, the offense wasn’t much better.
Kentucky shot just 33.3% from the field and a brutal 7-for-30 from three (23.3%) — including 0-for-13 in the second half.
Freshman guard Jasper Johnson, who was brilliant in the win over Purdue, couldn’t find a rhythm this time, going 3-for-10 and 1-for-6 from deep.
> “Jasper was put under real duress tonight, which is exactly what he needs,” Pope said. “That’s how you grow and get better.”
Sophomore Kam Williams, expected to be a key long-range shooter, went 0-for-5 and was held scoreless in 24 minutes.
> “Kam got a chance to feel the physicality of the game,” Pope added. “And he’s going to grow from that.”
A Painful Lesson Before the Real Season
If Kentucky’s win over Purdue inflated expectations, Thursday’s loss popped that bubble fast. The Wildcats learned the hard way that talent alone won’t win games — effort and preparation matter.
Georgetown head coach Ed Cooley admitted his team came in ready for a battle.
> “I’d be lying to you if I said we didn’t prepare,” Cooley said. “If you don’t prepare, don’t expect to win.”
Pope, meanwhile, was brutally honest about what this defeat means.
> “I’ll be honest with you, this is painful. We’re not going to sleep,” he said. “This is never acceptable here. But I’m grateful it’s happening now because it gives us a chance to learn and grow.”
The regular season tips off Tuesday against Nicholls, with a massive early test looming against Louisville on Nov. 11.
This was no ordinary loss — it was a wake-up call.
> “I’ve got unbelievably competitive guys,” Pope said. “They care. They’re smart. And we’ll really learn from this.”
Painful as it was, this beatdown might be exactly what Kentucky needed to remind them what it takes to be great.
