Unlike Lamont Butler, Andrew Carr was unable to take the floor against the Commodores on Saturday afternoon. A back injury prevented the fifth year senior from practicing for multiple weeks, and on Saturday, Pope made the decision to keep him out for the game.

Together, they trudged toward the huddle for a media timeout as the Wildcats gathered to try and chart a course to the finish line. The possession was emblematic of the disjointed stretches that plagued an increasingly battered group of Wildcats on Saturday as they melted late for a 74-69 loss at Vanderbilt,

Kentucky men’s basketball coach Mark Pope talks to the media after the Wildcats’ 74-69 loss to the Vanderbilt Commodores on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, at Memorial Gym in Nashville, Tennessee. UK committed 17 turnovers in falling to 14-5 overall and 3-3 in the SEC.