Kentucky Basketball vs. Loyola viewing info, what to watch for, and predictions

2 days ago7 min read1 comments

The Kentucky Wildcats are staring down a crisis of confidence that nobody saw coming just a few weeks ago. After getting thoroughly outclassed in back-to-back nationally televised showdowns against archrival Louisville and a disciplined Michigan State squad in the Champions Classic, this team—once buzzing with Final Four chatter—now looks like a shell of its preseason hype, stumbling to a shaky 3-2 record.The offense, frankly, has been a tough watch, bogged down by stagnant sets and head-scratching shot choices that make you wonder if these guys have ever shared a court before. Enter the Loyola Maryland Greyhounds, a classic 'get-right' game scheduled for Friday night at Rupp Arena.Let's be real, this isn't the kind of marquee matchup that gets the Big Blue Nation to camp out for tickets, but for a squad searching for its soul, it’s a necessary pit stop. The historical ledger shows only one prior meeting, a comfortable 87-63 win by the 2012 National Title squad, a reminder of the standard this current group is failing to meet.Loyola, helmed by second-year coach Josh Loeffler, who cut his teeth in the Division III trenches, is itself on a long-term rebuild, projected for a mid-pack finish in the Patriot League as they chase their first winning season in over a decade. For Kentucky, this game is less about the opponent and more about internal housekeeping.The injury report reads like a recurring nightmare for Wildcats fans. Junior point guard Jaland Lowe remains sidelined with a shoulder issue, and while Mark Pope stated he's day-to-day with a shot to return this season, he's a definite scratch for Friday.The situation with junior forward Mo Dioubate is murkier; his ankle injury sustained against Michigan State makes him a true game-time decision, likely opening up more minutes for Trent Noah, Andrija Jelavic, and Kam Williams. The path to redemption starts with three non-negotiables.First, Run, Run, Run. Pope’s offensive system is at its most lethal in transition, where his mantra of 'make the simple play' can actually breathe life into this group.While forcing turnovers hasn't been a strength, they should feast on the glass against a Loyola team that ranks among the nation's worst rebounding squads, creating ample opportunities to sprint the floor and finally find some easy buckets. Second, the Shot Selection has to be surgically addressed.The losses to Louisville and Michigan State were case studies in offensive ineptitude, plagued by ill-advised mid-range jumpers and a painful lack of ball movement. Even in the 88-point outing against Louisville, there were debilitating stretches of one-pass-and-a-prayer offense.The Michigan State game was a 40-minute horror show, culminating in a dismal 35. 1% shooting from the field.The prescription is simple but vital: more ball movement, more paint touches, and a drastic reduction in contested, low-percentage shots. Finally, this team desperately needs a shot of Confidence.Pope may have publicly dismissed any talk of locker-room dysfunction, but the body language on the court—and from the coach himself after the MSG beatdown—tells a different story. Players seem unsure of their roles, and the collective swagger has vanished.A dominant win over a mid-major won't solve the fundamental issues, but it can serve as a crucial psychological reset, a chance to remember what it feels like to succeed and build some positive momentum. Keep an eye on Loyola's key contributors: 6-4 guard Jacob Theodosiou (16.4 PPG, 5. 6 RPG), 6-3 guard Braeden Speed (14.2 PPG, 4. 2 RPG), and 6-10 forward Jonas Sirtautas (8.4 PPG, 6. 2 RPG, 2.4 BPG). The game tips at 6:00 PM ET on November 21, 2025, at Rupp Arena, broadcast on SEC Network+ with Darren Headrick and Cameron Mills on the call.The metrics are overwhelmingly in Kentucky's favor—KenPom (99. 6%), EvanMiya (99.3%), ESPN (99%), and BartTorvik (98%) all project a blowout. The computer predictions are predictably lopsided: BartTorvik has it 93-62, Haslametrics 92-63, KenPom 91-62, and EvanMiya 91-63. In a game that's more about therapy than competition, I see the Wildcats taking a step in the right direction with a 94-66 victory, a scoreline that hopefully masks the more important progress of rediscovering their identity.

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