Auburn's win and belt celebration in Rupp Arena should inspire Kentucky, but will it?

Kentucky needs to get tougher in a hurry as postseason play approaches. If you watched ABC’s all-access look into the Kentucky and Auburn locker rooms before the game, you may say that starts at the top.

In the visiting locker room, Bruce Pearl looked ready to run through the brick wall separating Auburn from Rupp Arena, while Mark Pope took a calmer approach. The coaches’ contrasting styles set the tone for the teams’ energy levels on the court, where Auburn steamrolled the Wildcats in Lexington.

Losing a game in Rupp Arena should be enough to fuel any Kentucky team. Throw in that Auburn led for all but 39 seconds and by as many as 22 points in the second half, and the Wildcats should have plenty of motivation to get angry and inspired.

Still, if getting stomped at home wasn’t enough, Auburn’s postgame celebration on Kentucky’s home floor better do the trick.

Auburn’s “belt to ass” celebration in Rupp Area

After Auburn beat Kentucky in Lexington for the first time since 1988, the Tigers brought out their leather belts to act out spanking the Wildcats. The “belt to ass” celebration on Cawood’s Court is a level of disrespect rarely seen in Rupp Arena.

No. 1 Auburn celebrates after beating Kentucky in Rupp Arena for the first time since 1988. pic.twitter.com/fMiQeCXgLK

— Vince Wolfram (@vincewolfram15) March 1, 2025

If Kentucky doesn’t respond with fury to getting taunted in its own building, fans may wonder how much fight is in them.

Mark Pope believes better days are ahead. He said Kentucky would come back with a vengeance on Tuesday night.

We’ll see.