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Men's Basketball

Good and Bad from Kentucky’s 78-64 win over Vandy

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It would’ve made sense if this was a trap game, but it wasn’t because Kentucky plays Ole Miss Saturday. The Cats came out flat and were down double digits for most of the first half. But came back and won 78-64.

The first half didn’t go Kentucky’s way, and as I said above, the Cats came out flat with no energy. I turned on the game about ten minutes in and was dumbfounded when they were down 25-15. The Commodores were hitting shots from everywhere and were playing some physical defense and the Cats simply couldn’t get anything going. But, they cut the deficit to nine going to halftime and had a little momentum.

In the second half, Kentucky came to life. They cut the deficit to six just a few minutes in and we were tied with just over ten minutes left. The Cats extended the lead to eleven and it was time to close them out but not so fast. Kentucky got really sloppy and Vandy cut the lead to five with just under five minutes left. The Cats woke up again and closed Vandy out, 78-64.

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Here are some good and bad things from the game.

Tyrese Maxey

Kentucky’s guards are just freakin studs and Tyrese Maxey is the best of them all. Maxey had 25 points, four rebounds, three 3’s, and was an efficient 10/17 from the field.

Nick Richards might be Kentucky’s most important player, but Tyrese Maxey is their best player. It is vital for him to play well in March if Kentucky wants to make a title run.

Three’s

Yeah, Kentucky was 6-9 from behind-the-arc, but that’s not the point. Kentucky allowed eleven three’s in the game and eight in the first half and got really lucky because Vandy missed several open three’s in the second half.

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Three point defense has been an issue at times this season and it was tonight. If Vandy stayed hot in the second half, this was a loss.

Nick Richards

No double-double tonight, but still a good game from the Jamaican stud. Richards had 12 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks.

Nick Richards has easily been Kentucky’s most consistent player this year, which is something I never thought I would say. If it wasn’t for him, where would we be?

Refs

It’ll go unnoticed, but the refs tonight were once again terrible. Bad calls both ways and Kentucky got called for four fouls in eight seconds at one in the second half. Read that a few times. That’s ridiculous.

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There was never a consistent flow in the game and they called a lot of touchy crap in the second half.

Ashton Hagans

Tonight, Ashton Hagans was two assists away from a triple-double. He had 11 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists.

Kentucky’s only had three triple doubles in its history. Take a couple guesses at who they are.

It’s a win

After the way the game started, this win was big for Kentucky. I know it’s Vandy, but Kentucky was down by 14 at one point and won by 14.

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Coming back from double-digits and winning by double-digits on the road is impressive.

What now?

Kentucky’s win tonight moves them to 19-5 on the year and 9-2 in the SEC. It’s big because LSU is down at halftime against Missouri. If the Tigers lose and Auburn wins tomorrow, The Cats and Tigers will be tied for first place in the SEC.

But, the Cats have to handle business Saturday. Kentucky plays their first Saturday home game in six years against Ole Miss, tipoff set for 2 p.m. EST. Breein Tyree dropped 40 points against Mississippi State tonight, so we’ll see if the Cats can handle business.

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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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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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