The Kentucky Wildcats narrowly avoided a historic upset on Friday night, defeating Northern Arizona 78-77 at home. The decisive moment came when guard Alex Wilkins drained a three-pointer to give Kentucky the lead in the final seconds of the game. This victory prevented what would have been one of the most surprising losses in the program's long history.
The Wildcats found themselves trailing by four points in the final minute of play. After Northern Arizona missed the first free throw of a one-and-one sequence, Wilkins stepped up to deliver the go-ahead shot. This clutch performance allowed Kentucky to escape with a win despite a shaky final stretch.
The game featured a dramatic swing in momentum. Kentucky held a lead of as many as 13 points during the first half. However, Northern Arizona mounted a strong comeback to take the lead in the closing minutes. This marked the third time in three games that Mark Pope's team has struggled to maintain control late in contests.
This result follows a difficult week for the Wildcats. Last week, Kentucky was on the ropes against James Madison at home but managed to pull away in the late stages. Earlier in the same week, the team suffered an embarrassing defeat at the Champions Classic, where they were completely outplayed by the Kansas Jayhawks.
Although Northern Arizona has ranked near the bottom of the KenPom rankings in recent seasons, the narrow nature of the win does little to ease the pressure on Pope. This is considered a make-or-break season for the Kentucky program, and the coaching staff faces significant scrutiny.
High expectations accompanied the start of the 2026-27 season. The No. 24-ranked Wildcats added several transfers, including Milan Momcilovic from Iowa State. Momcilovic was the sport's best three-point shooter in the previous year, adding to a roster that already carried a reported price tag of over $20 million.
The previous season ended in disappointment for this expensive group. Kentucky underperformed, falling to Iowa State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The team endured several notable lowlights, including a 17-point loss to Michigan State, a 35-point defeat by Gonzaga, and a 25-point loss to Vanderbilt during SEC play.
Despite improving to a 3-1 record with the win over Northern Arizona, the heat remains on Pope. Kentucky is expected to drop out of the next AP poll rankings following their loss to Kansas. The upcoming schedule includes tough matches against Indiana, Virginia, and Louisville over the next month.
If the Wildcats continue to play as they did against Northern Arizona, the results against these higher-profile opponents will likely be different. The coaching staff must find consistency to alleviate the growing pressure within the program.
The game highlighted both the talent and the inconsistency currently present in Kentucky's lineup. While the final scoreline was a victory, the close margin serves as a reminder of the challenges ahead for Pope and his team.
