Kentucky failed its first big test, but that hardly makes this 2025-26 season a failure. As much as the rivalry loss to Louisville will sting — and as bad as the Wildcats looked for long stretches in the KFC Yum Center on Tuesday night — this defeat took place on Nov.

This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/kentucky as Mark Pope says Kentucky had distracted effort and focus in loss at Louisville.

Denzel Aberdeen scored a career-high 26 points and grabbed a career-high seven rebounds, but No. 9 Kentucky lost at 12 th -ranked Louisville 96-88 on Tuesday night at the KFC Yum! Center. Kentucky (2-1) got 12 points apiece from Collin Chandler and Otega Oweh. No other Cat was in double figures.

After Kentucky and Louisville face off, there has to be aftermath. This year, we have the most perplexing pregame mystery in the KFC Yum! Center since Ty-Laur Johnson’s missing tights. Something mysterious. Something undisclosed. Something that, according to Kentucky coach Mark Pope, happened before the game.

Mikel Brown Jr. shared a confident message following Louisville basketball's victory against Kentucky on Tuesday.

Two employees died and 11 others were injured when the Givaudan factory in Louisville exploded one year ago today.

Pat Kelsey’s Cardinals put on a clinic against the Wildcats on Tuesday night. And this UK loss recalled ghosts of last season’s struggles.

Louisville Cardinals guard J'Vonne Hadley (1) drives by Kentucky Wildcats guard Otega Oweh (00) for a lay-up as the Cards go up on Kentucky in the first half during the UofL-UK annual rivalry game at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky Nov. 11, 2025. / Matt Stone/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images