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Men's Basketball

Breaking Down Kentucky’s Scoring Droughts

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Kentucky has lost six straight games, and the one thing that has decimated Kentucky, especially in the past two games, is scoring droughts.

In both of those games, Kentucky played decent in the first half. They were up by four points at halftime against North Carolina and were down one point at halftime against Louisville. But, you play two halves in college basketball, and the second half didn’t treat Kentucky well.

In the past two second halves of basketball, Kentucky has played 40 minutes and has gone 27 minutes without a shot falling in that time. That’s horrible.

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Let’s look at the second half against North Carolina.

North Carolina

In the second half against North Carolina, Kentucky had three scoring droughts. They played the first three minutes of the second half without a basket, where they were 0/2 from the field. However, this small drought didn’t really hurt Kentucky, as UNC only hit one shot during this stretch.

In the second scoring drought, the Cats went almost three minutes without a bucket, going only 0/1 from the field. Once again though, this small drought didn’t really hurt Kentucky, as UNC only hit two shots during this stretch.

Let’s be negative though for a second. If Kentucky had a functioning offense that produced made shots, the Cats could’ve easily extended their four point halftime lead to double-digits.

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The third drought really hurt Kentucky and made me turn off the TV. The Cats went almost ten minutes without a made basket. The Tar Heels went on a 20-6 run during this stretch and turned a six-point deficit into a six-point lead. The Cats were outscored 41-25 in the half.

Going even further, Kentucky went 0/6 from the field with five turnovers. The Cats also committed nine fouls during this stretch. The fact Kentucky got only six shots up in a ten minute stretch, with so many talented scorers, is mind-boggling.

In other words, Kentucky’s offense in the second half of the UNC game was almost non-existent.

Louisville

First, if we’re being positive, Kentucky actually went on a small 7-2 run at the start of the second half against Louisville to take a four-point lead. But then things went south.

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Kentucky went just over eight minutes without a basket and Louisville turned a four-point deficit into a four-point lead, going on a 15-7 run.

During this stretch, Kentucky was 0/6 from the field with five turnovers. Once again, in eight minutes, Kentucky only attempting six shots with so many talented scorers, is mind-boggling.

Summary

So, in 40 minutes of basketball, the Cats went 27 minutes without scoring, including missing 12 shots, and turned the ball over 11 times. YIKES!!

Kentucky’s offense is bad, but this really shows how bad it is. A talented team like this cannot go 27 out of 40 minutes without a basket and only attempt 12 shots during that time.

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I hate to pull the Dontaie Allen card here, but I have to. Allen averaged over 40 points a game in his senior year of high school and can clearly shoot the ball, but Cal refuses to play him. In a failing offense, the one thing Cal hasn’t tried, he won’t try. I’m not saying Dontaie Allen is going to fix UK’s problems, because he won’t, but Kentucky has nothing except Davion Mintz and Jacob Toppin, two bench-players from non power-five schools, as reliable options on offense right now.

Yet, he’ll sit there and rely on B.J. Boston, Terrence Clarke, and Olivier Sarr to run the offense. Two guys who brick shots the entire game and the other guy hasn’t scored a point in two games.

It’s absolutely ridiculous. Until Cal decides to try something else, this team isn’t going anywhere.

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Men's Basketball

Amari Williams Picked 46th by the Boston Celtics in the 2025 NBA Draft

Amari Williams is the second Kentucky player selected in the 2025 NBA Draft, as Boston takes the big man with their second round pick.

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Amari Williams is drafted by the Boston Celtics.
Wesley Hale | Imagn Images

Fan-favorite big man (and official Weetabix sponsor) Amari Williams has officially made it to the big leagues, taken by the Boston Celtics with the 46th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, via a trade with the Orlando Magic.

The selection makes Williams the second Wildcat to be scooped up from this year’s pool, following Koby Brea being picked by the Phoenix Suns just five picks earlier at the 41st spot. From Mark Pope’s first Kentucky team, two transfer athletes (thus far) in their last year of eligibility have achieved next-level dreams by way of the blue and white.

Williams, who averaged 11 points, nine rebounds, and three assists per game during his lone season in Lexington, will look to aid Boston in filling their recently vacant five-spot, left by the recently traded Kristaps Porzingis.

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As Wildcat fans surely know, not only can Williams battle with the best of them in the paint, but he can run the floor as efficiently as just about any guard, too. His versatility and sizable frame ensure a high ceiling in the NBA and, despite not every draft board seeing him selected, the league champions two years removed made the call when it mattered.

Hailing overseas from Nottingham, England, and spending his first four years of college basketball at the University of Drexel, Williams’ success is a testament not only to Kentucky Basketball’s immaculate tradition, but to his own incredible work ethic and intangible ability.

Cats fans will be sure to follow and support their point-center to the next level, as they always do. Go be great, Amari – all of BBN has your back.

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Men's Basketball

Koby Brea Selected to the Phoenix Suns With the No. 41 Overall Pick in the 2025 NBA Draft

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Tristan Pharis | KY Insider

Koby Brea arrived at Kentucky last season as one of the nation’s deadliest shooters, lived up to the billing, and reaped his rewards on Thursday night at the NBA Draft. The former Kentucky star is heading to the Phoenix Suns with the No. 41 overall pick

As a 6-foot-7 wing, Brea entered the 2025 NBA Draft as one of the most experienced prospects after spending four years at Dayton and a fifth at Kentucky during Mark Pope’s successful first season as head coach, where he became one of the best three-point shooters in all of college basketball.

Last season at Kentucky, the Bronx native averaged 11.6 points and 3.2 rebounds per game while shooting 43.5% from beyond the arc on nearly six attempts per game in 36 games, 16 of which were starts, showcasing his scoring ability in transition, off the catch, and via handoffs and screens.

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Not only did Brea achieve his own dreams of playing at the next level, but becomes a piece of history for Pope, becoming the first player drafted out of Kentucky during the Pope era.

Brea joins a rebuilding franchise with a notorious background for drafting Kentucky guards. Eric Bledsoe rings the bell, Tyler Ulis of course, and the Suns’ all-time leading scorer, Devin Booker obviously leads the pack.

Go be great Fuego!

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Men's Basketball

How a Call with Mark Pope Led Denzel Aberdeen to Kentucky

After winning a national title at Florida, Denzel Aberdeen committed to Kentucky without ever visiting campus—thanks to a revealing three-hour call with head coach Mark Pope.

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Chet White | UK Athletics

As a junior, Denzel Aberdeen was a key part of Florida’s national title run. But a certain phone conversation convinced him to leave his home state and head north to Lexington in hopes of experiencing that feeling once again.

He had never set foot in Lexington before deciding to become a Kentucky Wildcat — and he didn’t need to. All it took was one phone call — three hours long, on Easter Sunday — with head coach Mark Pope to convince him that he belonged in blue and white.

“Our phone call lasted about three hours, to be honest,” Aberdeen said, meeting with the media in Lexington for the first time earlier this week. “A lot of it was just getting to know me and getting to know the school, the university, getting to know him (Pope), how their style was, a lot of film. Once I saw that, I was like this looks like a great guy to play for.”

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The two went on to discuss Aberdeen’s role at Kentucky in more depth, including how Pope envisions him fitting into Kentucky’s new system — a system that, according to Aberdeen, is very similar, if not better than the one he just left.

“We had a lot of great players at Florida, especially the tall bigs. Bigs that love to run there, and we have just as much here; our bigs love to run, they play defense, and they play at a fast pace. So I think the things that we’ve got here are just as good, or even better,” Aberdeen said.

Averaging 7.7 points and nearly 20 minutes per game off the bench for the Gators last year, it’s clear to see what Aberdeen brings to the team: experience, versatility, calmness in the backcourt, and championship pedigree. Pope’s phone conversation with Aberdeen wasn’t just impactful on the court — it also speaks volumes to what he is doing off the court in pursuit of the goal he laid out in his introductory press conference: to hang banners.

This phone call wasn’t just about Denzel Aberdeen. It was a glimpse into Pope’s player-first, transparent coaching approach, which could define his era at Kentucky — and potentially make this season a special one, with Aberdeen playing another key role in a deep NCAA Tournament run.

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“I know the goal is to win No. 9,” he said. “I know the fans want that, we want that, all the staff and coaches want that. That pushes us. We know what we gotta do when we come here and put on that Kentucky jersey. Just playing for the University of Kentucky is a big thing. Being here is a blessing, and I can’t look back.”

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