Kentucky fans witnessed an unwelcome blast from the past during the Wildcats’ 85-65 loss to Ohio State in the CBS Sports Classic. The offense on display resembled the chaotic, isolation-heavy approach that often frustrated fans during John Calipari’s tenure—complete with wild drives, poor shot selection, and a lack of structure. For a team now led by Mark Pope, who advocates disciplined, efficient basketball, the performance was as baffling as it was disappointing.
From the opening tip, Kentucky’s offense seemed disjointed. Players consistently forced drives into traffic, leading to turnovers and contested shots, as the Wildcats shot a miserable 29.8% from the field and just 18% from three-point range. Despite a strong effort at the free-throw line (27-of-32), Kentucky never managed to find a rhythm. Their inability to adapt or implement a cohesive offensive plan left fans frustrated and searching for answers.
“Is this Calipari’s offense all over again?” one fan tweeted as Kentucky struggled through yet another stagnant possession. Indeed, the lack of ball movement and reliance on individual heroics mirrored the dribble-drive approach that often polarized the Big Blue Nation during Calipari’s tenure.
What makes the loss even more disheartening is how far it strayed from Pope’s stated philosophy. Since taking over, Pope has emphasized spacing, ball movement, and high-percentage shots. Yet against Ohio State, the Wildcats reverted to a chaotic, inefficient style that saw them outplayed in every facet of the game. Ohio State capitalized on Kentucky’s mistakes, shooting 56.6% from the field and dominating on both ends of the court.
Kentucky’s disastrous showing has left fans wondering if the team can course-correct before SEC play begins. With major questions about their offensive identity, Pope and his staff have their work cut out for them in the days ahead.
