Kai McClelland

✝️ | Owner and creator of fourwall | Lead Reporter, Editor and Socials for @KyInsider | The Bluegrass Breakdown w/ Brady Grove | @schemeanalytics | @uk_ci alum

[Kai McClelland @fourwal1]

I can’t believe the 2025-26 season is over for Kentucky men’s basketball.

Regardless of anything related to the team’s performance, words don’t describe how freaking cool it was to be on the court before the games, talk to the players and travel across the country.

I still remember the first time I asked Mark Pope a question, and how I somehow mustered up the courage to spit my words out.

Humbly, I’ve come so far since that moment, and the opportunities I’ve had with KY Insider have been nothing short of incredible.

Here’s to my first season on the beat. 💙

Touch money! 🥹 | #BBN

[ESPN @espn]

Jacob Misiorowski & Cam Schlittler each won the Cy Young in just their second MLB season 🔥

It’s the second time ever that both winners were in their second season. The league is in good hands 🏆

[KY Insider @KyInsider]

BREAKING: Will Stein announced that the Power K uniforms will not be used again this year, but that #BBN can expect to see them annually!

Stein confirmed that there are alternate versions of the uniform combinations and that the Wildcats will use them on the road next season.

[Kai McClelland @fourwal1]

Freshman Emily McDonald in @KentuckyWBB’s 98-30 win over the Evansville Purple Aces:

- 27 points (9/12 FG)
- 9 3PM (program record)
- 3 rebounds
- 20 minutes

Those burger girls are different…😮‍💨

#BBN // @KyInsider

[Kai McClelland @fourwal1]

The Wildcats will be without their normal crew against Florida, with an exception of WR Nic Anderson, who has been downgraded to OUT.

#BBN // @KyInsider

[Kai McClelland @fourwal1]

No. 12 @KentuckyWBB just won by 68 points…🤯

#BBN

[KY Insider @KyInsider]

The all-black jerseys for @UKFootball are here and they’re absolutely fire…🔥🔥🔥

📸: UK Athletics | #BBN

[Tristan Pharis @TristanUda]

Tyran Stokes says the Kentucky game was “personal for sure.”

“Growing up, I kinda was a UNC/Louisville fan. You know the tradition and the rivalry between Louisville and Kentucky. Being from Louisville, I kind of still got that same emotion as if I was playing for Louisville.”

[Tristan Pharis @TristanUda]

I think what hurts Mark Pope isn’t just that Kentucky lost 89-69 to Kansas, but what the loss represents.

In an event that’s supposed to showcase four of the best teams in college basketball, Kentucky was routed by another blue blood in Kansas. A program that has two five-star freshmen from your state, including one who was prioritized over other prospects you could have signed.

Combining that with a concerning pattern of Kentucky falling into double-digit deficits consistently under Pope.

A really bad first impression to start the year. Kentucky can still go on to have a successful season (multiple teams have gone on to the Elite Eight/Final Four with similar losses) the reality is that Pope does not have the grace for fans to expect that right now.

[Kai McClelland @fourwal1]

I’ve seen this picture floating around, and man, I’ve never seen such a sad facial expression from Mark Pope during my time on the beat.

Having to shake the hand of a generational talent that you couldn’t secure AFTER he punked you has to be the worst feeling in the world.

I’m not pulling the plug on the season after game three, but tonight showed no indication that Pope has it “figured out” at Kentucky.

In that same breath, I applaud the amount of care that he has for his state and how much he values the members of #BBN.

Pope is giving it his all each and every day, and trust me, he hates to fail the fanbase that he loves with all of his heart.

Unfortunate that this pattern continues.

📸 : Michael Reaves | Getty Images

[KY Insider @KyInsider]

listen to everything mark pope had to say after kentucky’s 20-point loss to kansas.

[Kai McClelland @fourwal1]

POSTGAME: Mark Pope spoke with the media after Kentucky’s 20-point loss to Kansas.

Players were not available after the game.

“It was an incredibly frustrating night for us…we’ll get better and put together a great season.”

🔗: https://t.co/Ztd4fSjfTF

[KY Insider @KyInsider]

A dejected Malachi Moreno walks off the court as assistant coach John Pelphrey offers some words of encouragement following Kentucky’s loss to Kansas.

#BBN

[Tristan Pharis @TristanUda]

Mark Pope after Kentucky’s loss to Kansas, and the potential of overreacting in terms of game planning, etc.

“It’s not possible to overreact to this loss. We didn’t play to our standard.”

[Tristan Pharis @TristanUda]

Kansas’ Tyran Stokes on how personal the Kentucky game was.

“It was personal for sure. We got the dub… Being from Louisville, I still got that same emotion as if I was playing for Louisville.”

Says he and teammate Taylen Kinney (from Newport) talked ahead of this game.

[Kai McClelland @fourwal1]

Mark Pope and the Wildcats just lost by 20 points to No. 15 Kansas in the Champions Classic.

Embarrassing to say the least. Not sure how else to put it in this current moment.

FULL RECAP: https://t.co/Uf1b3VF80J

[Kai McClelland @fourwal1]

tweet of the night.

[Lane Mills @_lanemills]

…

What is Jai Lucas up to tonight?

[Tristan Pharis @TristanUda]

Kentucky isn’t going to win many games when Malachi Moreno and Milan Momcilovic aren’t convincing for 20+ points, realistically 30 points.

Combined tonight so far (through 24 mins):

4 pts
2-4 FG

Momcilovic has not attempted a 3P.