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.

Kam Williams, a projected NBA draft pick this preseason, didn’t play at all in the first half against Louisville. Mark Pope explains why.

Louisville's Pat Kelsey took the win over Kentucky way too hard originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Louisville coach Pat Kelsey was amped up on Tuesday night, but his enthusiasm came at a painful price.

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

The Louisville Cardinals pulled off a major win over the Kentucky Wildcats on Tuesday night, but Pat Kelsey left the court with a strange injury.