No. 12 Louisville shocked No. 9 Kentucky Tuesday night with a 96-88 upset victory, handing the Wildcats their second loss of the season. Louisville’s third straight win raised doubts about Kentucky’s $22 million roster.
Kentucky’s $22 Million Roster Faces Scrutiny
According to the Lexington Herald-Leader, Kentucky was given $22 million to build its 2025-26 men’s basketball roster, which is nearly double last year’s.
Head coach Mark Pope assembled a top team through the transfer portal, adding Tulane’s Kam Williams, Florida’s Denzel Aberdeen, Pittsburgh’s Jaland Lowe, Alabama’s Mouhamed Dioubate, and Arizona State’s Jayden Quaintance.
The Wild Cats also signed a strong freshman class, including Jasper Johnson, Malachi Moren, and Braydon Hawthorne.
They also retained key contributor Otega Oweh, their leading scorer and ESPN’s No. 12 overall player, alongside junior Brandon Garrison and sophomores Collin Chandler and Trent Noah.
Despite the program’s heavy NIL investments, it was unable to hold off a rival. This loss not only hurts Kentucky’s rankings but also puts pressure on Pope.
How Are Fans Reacting To The Upset Loss?
Many fans are in complete disbelief that Kentucky lost despite its $22 million roster. With that much money invested in recruiting and retaining top talent, many expected a dominant season, and an upset loss to Louisville has quickly become a topic of conversation online on X (formerly Twitter)
I don’t care if the score got semi close at the end. We were never in this game. The effort was disgraceful. Losing to Cal and Kelsey’s first full team is a really bad look.
This team has no identity or real plan. They are gonna have to figure it out quick.
The honeymoon is… pic.twitter.com/TMKB2Zk9bK
— John Montgomery (@Monty4033) November 12, 2025
A user stated their frustration with the loss:
“I don’t care if the score got semi close at the end. We were never in this game. The effort was disgraceful. Losing to Cal and Kelsey’s first full team is a really bad look. This team has no identity or real plan. They are gonna have to figure it out quick. The honeymoon is over…”
I’m disappointed that you spent $20 million on a bunch of role players. I’m disappointed that you still can’t coach defense.
— Smitty (@RDSUK) November 12, 2025
Another user not only expressed their disappointment with the NIL money but with head coach Mark Pope:
“I’m disappointed that you spent $20 million on a bunch of role players. I’m disappointed that you still can’t coach defense.”
Translation – with inflation $22 million doesn’t buy what it used to
— Landry Agnes GSD (@LandryAgnesGSD) November 12, 2025
Another user expressed the frustration with a loss with this high a budget:
“Translation – with inflation $22 million doesn’t buy what it used to”
I know I’ve been saying this for a couple months and have been getting attacked, but I honestly don’t know where the 22 million went with the UK roster
— jnewc2 (@fball_uk) November 12, 2025
Another user said a similar statement about the NIL budget:
“I know I’ve been saying this for a couple months and have been getting attacked, but I honestly don’t know where the 22 million went with the UK roster”
$22 million product btw pic.twitter.com/AAwUZIXqA4
— Alfredo Hightowere III (@mossmandlow) November 12, 2025
A user commented on the NIL budget:
“$22 million product btw”
this the 22 million roster y’all were hyped about ?
— Jeff Badet (@JeffBadet__) November 12, 2025
Another user made a similar statement about the roster budget:
“this the 22 million roster y’all were hyped about ?”
I mean 22 million… I mean I hate to be that guy, but Pope has completely went away from what has made him successful in his career, no shooters, replaced shooting for defense and grittiness, and we have gotten pushed around bitched all game.
— Woo (@WildcatWoo) November 12, 2025
A user expressed his concern about what Pope recruited this year for his roster:
“I mean 22 million… I mean I hate to be that guy, but Pope has completely went away from what has made him successful in his career, no shooters, replaced shooting for defense and grittiness, and we have gotten pushed around bitched all game.”
Mark Pope watching his 22 million dollars burn pic.twitter.com/XqJgxJGdo8
— National Champion Josh Elanders Soft Smile (@Bigorangejosh) November 12, 2025
Another user made a similar comment:
“Mark Pope watching his 22 million dollars burn.”
What This Loss Means for Kentucky Moving Forward
This upset could serve as a wake-up call for the Wildcats. With a roster built on NIL power, Kentucky’s response in the coming weeks will determine whether its loss was just a bump in the road or a sign of deeper issues.
Kentucky will have its next matchup on November 14 against Eastern Illinois, followed by a November 18 game against Michigan State, where the Wildcats will have a lot to prove.
