ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale on Saturday criticized Kentucky’s season, saying the Wildcats should be performing better given reports their players have received $22 million in name, image and likeness deals. The Wildcats fell to No. 5 Florida 84-77, leaving them 19-12 on the season.
Vitale made the remarks during the game, according to Awful Announcing. “I think in $22 million, they could have put together a better roster than they did,” he said, as Florida extended a first-half lead.
He continued late in the game, dismissing the idea of a moral victory after Kentucky’s 12th loss. “Moral victories don’t count at this level of basketball,” Vitale said, according to Awful Announcing. “The bottom line is you’re Kentucky. You’ve got to leave here with a win, especially at home.”
The Wildcats were once the top program under former coach John Calipari, who left for Arkansas after several postseason disappointments, including a first-round loss to Oakland in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. Mark Pope took over as coach and led Kentucky to the Sweet 16 last season before a loss to Tennessee.
Kentucky is 10-8 in Southeastern Conference play and will begin SEC Tournament action Wednesday against No. 16 LSU. The winner of each conference tournament earns an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
