There has been a lot of talk about Kentucky basketball players not giving effort. Some of it brought on by their own players suggesting it. Mark Pope pushed back hard against the common narrative that his team is losing due to a lack of heart or effort, directly challenging the assumption every fan and opponent makes after a blowout.
"I didn't feel like Michigan State... our guys didn't play hard. I actually didn't feel that... I felt like we didn't play us."
That seems to be a common response for Pope. When players break away from the principles they have been taught, it is not an effort issue, but an attention issue.