Kentucky Coach Mark Pope tried to stop himself from bashing the refs, but he may have been done in by a hot mic.
The Wildcats had dropped their third straight game over the weekend in controversial fashion, when the refs called a crucial foul that set up Auburn’s Elyjah Freeman for the game-winning basket.
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Pope was visibly frustrated after the game and did his best to try and steer clear of saying anything negative about the officials when he addressed the media after the 75-74 loss road loss Saturday.
Kentucky head coach Mark Pope reacts to a call during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Auburn Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. AP
“I’m not allowed to comment on the referees, I won’t comment on the referees,” Pope said. “We don’t make excuses. Regardless of what is happening, regardless of how disgraceful things are, we don’t give away our power.”
But when Pope got up to leave the dias after wrapping up his press conference, he was caught on a hot mic talking with UK athletic director Mitch Barnhart.
“Mitch, if those mother-effers try to fine me, screw ’em,” Pope said. “I did not say a word about how they cheated us.”
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The frustration from the Kentucky coach stemmed from a foul call that came with 14.3 seconds left in the game.
The Wildcats were up by one when Collin Chandler was called for an offensive foul for shoving Auburn’s Kevin Overton while trying to get some space.
The call led to Auburn gaining possession of the ball and it scored the game-winning basket when Freeman scored on a putback with just over a second left on the clock to put the Tigers in front.
Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope reacts after his team was called for a foul during the second half against the Auburn Tigers at Neville Arena. John Reed-Imagn Images
The loss moved Kentucky to 17-10 on the season, putting pressure on the team that had been projected to contend for a national championship.
Auburn moved to 15-12 on the season with the win.
