Last year, Kentucky went to Seattle to play Gonzaga after its first loss of the season, a 70-66 dud vs. Clemson in the ACC/SEC Challenge. Mark Pope’s first team had already won fans over with a gutsy win over Duke in the Champions Classic. They further endeared themselves with another comeback, this one from 18 points down in the second half to beat the No. 7 Bulldogs in overtime 90-89. It was a stunning victory, Kentucky overcoming injuries and a brutal first-half performance to notch the second big win of the Pope era.
Fast forward a year, and Mark Pope’s second team is still looking for its first big win eight games in.