Even though Florida was expected to beat Kentucky for a third time this season, Big Blue Nation is still reeling after the Wildcats fell 71-63 in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals. The Gators struggled from deep, hitting just 3-of-20 from beyond the arc, and committed 18 turnovers—but Kentucky still couldn’t capitalize. Despite cutting a 17-point deficit down to five in the final minutes, the Cats were overpowered on the boards, losing the rebound battle 50-29.
After the game, Mark Pope didn’t offer excuses. “I thought our guys, we didn’t play well. We couldn’t make a shot. We couldn’t grab a rebound,” he said. “Florida’s a good team. They challenge you in transition. They challenge you on the glass. Last game, we handled the glass but struggled in transition. This game, we handled transition but couldn’t handle the glass. You have to be able to do both.”
Despite the loss, Pope saw silver linings. Kentucky refused to quit, cutting Florida’s lead to just two possessions late in the game—a sign of resilience he believes will carry into March Madness. “Even though we didn’t play well, you can sense your team grinding and trying to find answers. If their focus is present, it bodes well for what’s next,” Pope added.
Otega Oweh, who finished with 10 points on 5-of-18 shooting, exemplified that determination. Struggling to finish at the rim or get shots to fall elsewhere, he never gave up, earning high praise from Pope. “Otega’s leadership today was extraordinary. He stayed present through all the frustration—it bodes well for the tournament.”
Looking ahead, Pope is confident his team can bounce back. “If we can carry that focus into the NCAA Tournament, we’ll play way better than this. I have no doubt. Forty minutes of focus on finding answers—that’s how we’ll make a great run.”
