Kentucky's NCAA Tournament Ends in Defeat

0:00On March 22nd, Kentucky's men's basketball team saw their 2025-26 season end in the round of 32 of the NCAA tournament. They fell to number 2, Iowa State 82-63 on Sunday at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis. The Wildcats jumped out to a 12-point lead early with strong shooting from Colin Chandler and Denzel Aberdeen. With 12 first half turnovers, let Iowa State battle back, and a lay 3-pointer gave the cyclones a 1-point edge at halftime. Kentucky fans had hoped for a deep run like back in 2014, but this loss drops coach Mark Pope's NCAA tournament record with the team too. Three wins and two losses. It marks the end of college careers for standouts like Otega Owe who scored 18 points. In the second half, Iowa State pulled away with better defense and six made threes after missing their first 11 shots. Tamin Lipsi led them with 26 points while Mom Salovic added 20. Overwhelming Kentucky's 20 from Aberdeen.

1:01Now with the 22-14 record, the Wildcats head into offseason roster planning as Iowa State moves on to the sweet 16 in Chicago.