The Kentucky Wildcats’ 5-game SEC win streak came to a screeching halt on Tuesday night in Nashville, as they were annihilated 80-55 by the Vanderbilt Commodores.
The Dores made easy work of the Cats, who fell to 14-7 on the season.
In what has been a frustrating season in the blowout category, the team is nearing historic numbers.
Per the UK Statistician, Corey Price, the Wildcats surrendered their fourth 15+ point loss of the season, which has them nearing the top of the record books. (In a bad way.)
Over the last 50 seasons of Wildcats basketball, since 1976-1977, these are the most losses by 15+ in a single season:
-7 (1988-1989)
-5 (1991-1992)
-4 (2025-2026, as of January 26th)
-4 (2005-2006)
The Wildcats have dug themselves into early holes in big games and have not found a solution. A very worrisome trend in the Mark Pope era. And with the schedule ahead, it feels like there’s a very real chance this Kentucky team breaks the all-time mark for losses of 15+ points. They would join the Probation Era teams that were barred from the NCAA Tournament from 1990-91.
Not exactly the kind of company you want to be in, but that’s where Mark Pope has Kentucky headed.
The Wildcats are back in action on Saturday evening against the Arkansas Razorbacks. A game Pope couldn’t find a way to win last season, the Wildcats will look to get off to a quick start on the road at Bud Walton Arena.
