Sports

Kentucky Hooper’s Body Language Creates Concern As Culture Issues Infiltrate $22 Million Roster

#Kentucky Wildcats
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Brandon Garrison / Kentucky Wildcats

© Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images


The Kentucky Wildcats fell to the Michigan State Spartans in non-conference basketball action, 83-66. The 17-point blowout confirmed Mark Pope’s fears of culture issues in Lexington.

The head coach believes he’s failed in creating an identity. Through five games, the ‘Cats are “completely discombobulated.”

The loss to the Spartans was the team’s second in three games. Kentucky was also beaten on the road by rival Louisville earlier in the month.

At 3-2, the squad has failed to meet lofty expectations after assembling a $22 million roster.

Big man Brandon Garrison will get a large chunk of that payout. Mark Pope made an investment in the center after a promising sophomore campaign.

To this point, he’s been a disappointment. He’s failed to show up in Kentucky’s two biggest games, totaling five points and 10 boards in the team’s two losses.

Brandon Garrison’s body language is concerning.

The center appeared uninterested after his two-point performance against the Spartans. The press conference reaction sparked an immediate response on social media.

Criticism was only compounded when a viral clip showing lacking defensive effort began circulating social media.

Does Garrison care about the team’s success? Is he just playing to cash a paycheck?

These were questions raised by Kentucky basketball supporters given the veteran’s NIL income.

It’s impossible to determine from a 30-second clip whether Garrison is checked out. It’s more likely that he was simply dejected following a disappointing loss.

With that being said, there are issues inside the program. The start at the top.

Kentucky basketball has a culture problem.

Pope admitted as much after the game. He did not hold back on what he believes is holding the Wildcats back.

“I’m disappointed with how disconnected we’ve been. I thought I had a better pulse than this,” he said while speaking to Jeff Goodman after the game.

That frustration continued into his presser.

“If you build an organization the right way, your identity is not about an individual person,” he said. “It’s about a collective group… I’ve failed to [build a great identity and a great culture] up until today.”

Pope believes the Wildcats possess an “individual identity.” They need to find a team identity. Until it happens, he knows Kentucky will struggle.

The ‘Cats will have two weeks to work on that culture shift before facing off against North Carolina, Gonzaga, Indiana, and St. John’s in a five-game stretch. Changing the mindset will be pertinent.