Mark Pope admits he felt restricted with Kentucky roster against Arkansas

The Kentucky basketball team dropped its third game in the last four outings on Saturday, this time a painful one against Arkansas and former coach John Calipari.

The Razorbacks got hot shooting and never really cooled off.

It led to reporters after the game questioning whether coach Mark Pope should have gone to a zone defense to try to slow Arkansas down.

“It’s a little complicated proposition, they’re actually almost a full .15 points per possession better against zone this year than they are against man,” Pope explained. “Then also with the feel they had making shots, that gets really complicated. If I could have run it back I think I would have taken a more aggressive posture probably, taken some more risks defensively rather even than going zone. That’s something that we’re going to have to continue to work on.”

As it played out, Arkansas got hot and stayed hot. The team finished shooting 52.0% from 3-point range (13-of-25) and 55.2% from inside the arc (32-of-58).

All five starters scored in double-figures, led by Adou Theiro‘s 21, which only added insult to injury for the spurned home team.

Pope also explained that some of the strategy against Arkansas came down to what was available roster wise. Andrew Carr has been limited in recent weeks due to injury, while Lamont Butler didn’t play.

“We’re navigating some roster situations right now that have me feeling a little constricted, and I probably need to be a little more bold regardless and take some more shots at being aggressive,” Pope said. “If I could run it back I would probably take some more risks there even more than a zone.”

Instead, Kentucky dropped the contest to Arkansas 89-79. A fanbase waiting to show off on former coach John Calipari had to wait, a frustrating night for the home crowd.

Kentucky will get a chance to turn things around Tuesday on the road at No. 23 Ole Miss, with a game that tips off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.