Kentucky fans could feel it coming — that same uneasy pattern that’s followed Mark Pope from BYU to Lexington. Thursday night’s loss to Georgetown wasn’t just a bad game… it was a painful reminder of the one issue Pope still hasn’t solved. Let’s break down exactly what went wrong and why it feels all too familiar.
Déjà Vu in Rupp
For fans who’ve followed Mark Pope’s coaching journey, Thursday night felt like déjà vu in the worst way. Kentucky’s 84–70 loss to Georgetown wasn’t just another preseason stumble — it was a replay of the same script that has haunted Pope’s teams for years.
Once again, a guard-dominant opponent took full control. The Hoyas didn’t just beat Kentucky — they exposed the same weakness that’s cost Pope before: quick, physical guards who disrupt everything.
It’s an issue that followed him from BYU. Backcourts that pressure the ball, deny passing lanes, and force one-on-one possessions have been Pope’s biggest headache for years. Georgetown just followed that old formula — and it worked perfectly.
The Blueprint: Win the Backcourt, Win the Game
The stats tell the story. Georgetown’s guards, Malik Mack and KJ Lewis, were unstoppable — combining for 41 points on 17-of-29 shooting. They controlled the tempo, tore through Kentucky’s defense, and turned Rupp Arena into their own playground.
Meanwhile, Kentucky’s starting guards struggled to find rhythm. Otega Oweh and Collin Chandler combined for 28 points but shot just 6-of-21 from the field. Chandler, in particular, had a brutal night — five turnovers and constant pressure that made even simple ball movement look exhausting.
By the second half, Kentucky’s offense had completely unraveled. Spacing disappeared, sets broke down, and the Wildcats were stuck playing isolation basketball — exactly what Georgetown wanted.
The Painful Pattern
After the game, Pope didn’t hide from it.
“I just did a poor job to prepare us to do it,” he said. “But we’ll get there. That’s why these games are incredibly valuable.”
It was an honest answer — but one Kentucky fans have heard before. And in Lexington, that phrase — “we’ll get there” — doesn’t cut it for long.
The regular season starts next week, and the secret’s out: pressure Kentucky’s guards, be physical, and watch the offense crumble. Until Pope builds a consistent counterattack, that blueprint will keep working.
The Big Question
Mark Pope has reignited energy and belief in Kentucky basketball — but the challenge is clear. For this program to get back to championship form, he has to solve the one problem that keeps following him: how to handle elite, physical backcourts.
Until then, the ghosts of last season — and his BYU years — will keep showing up in Rupp.
