Overview
- Kentucky routed NC Central 103–67, yet Mark Pope said the performance failed to meet the program’s standard on the defensive end.
- Pope detailed recurring issues that included soft ball-screen pressure, late gap help, weak-side lapses and unnecessary fouling despite 5 blocks, 9 steals and 27 points off turnovers.
- He benched Brandon Garrison after a first-half turnover that preceded a dunk, and players said he snapped a clipboard during the ensuing timeout.
- The coach also held Kam Williams and Jaland Lowe out for the entire first half as he heightened accountability through rotation decisions.
- Kentucky is 6–4 overall and 0–4 against quality opponents, Otega Oweh scored 21 and echoed the urgency, and Indiana is framed as the next measuring-stick game.