Sports
No. 12 Kentucky Hosts Loyola Maryland After Loss to Michigan State
LEXINGTON, Ky. — The No. 12 Kentucky Wildcats return to Rupp Arena on Friday night, looking to bounce back against the Loyola Maryland Greyhounds after a disappointing defeat to Michigan State earlier this week.
In their last game on Tuesday, Kentucky lost to Michigan State 83-66 during the Champions Classic held in New York. The Wildcats now stand at 3-2 for the season, prompting head coach Mark Pope to emphasize the need for his players to lean on each other during tough times.
“I know there might be some consternation out there, but I love it,” Pope said. “I love it when you have to find your way through it. We have guys that are going to be able to accomplish great stuff.”
Pope remains optimistic about his team’s potential this season but is aware of the challenges ahead. “This is a good group, and I have an unbelievable amount of confidence that we’re going to have a great season here,” he said. “I also know for a fact that we have an extraordinary amount of work to do.”
To get back on the winning track, Pope noted that consistency is key. “We failed to be consistent. Just lean into how we do it, and we’ll get back there,” he said. Kentucky’s offense features five players averaging double figures, led by Denzel Aberdeen with 14.2 points per game.
On the other side, Loyola Maryland enters the game with a record of 2-4 after losing to Duquesne 92-78. Jacob Theodosiou leads the Greyhounds with an average of 17.2 points per game.
Tip-off for the matchup is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, and fans can catch the game on SEC Network Plus. The Wildcats are heavily favored, with a point spread of 34.5 in their favor. Despite injuries to key players like Mo Dioubate, who may sit out this game, Kentucky is expected to perform well against the struggling Greyhounds.
As Kentucky prepares for the game, players are looking to shake off the bad vibes from the recent losses. Continued improvement and strong performances are essential as the Wildcats aim for victory before facing the ranked North Carolina team next week.
