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Kentucky vs. Arkansas, Round 2: TV/Streaming Info, Keys to the Game, and Predictions

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The Kentucky Wildcats will look to sweep the season series against the Arkansas Razorbacks, as they faceoff in Rupp Arena on Saturday.
Nelson Chenault - USA TODAY Sports

What a two-game stretch it has been for the Kentucky Wildcats. First dominating the SEC leader Alabama, followed by a game-winner at Mississippi State. With two straight wins, the Wildcats have the opportunity to extend their winning streak to three games, which would be their longest of 2024, as Arkansas comes to Rupp Arena on Saturday.

This will be the second matchup of the season between the two teams, with Kentucky getting a 63-57 win at Arkansas in a College Gameday matchup back in January. Since then, things have gone from bad to worse for Eric Musselman and the Razorbacks. In the eight-game stretch since, they have gone just 4-4, with two of their wins coming against Missouri, who is winless in the SEC this season. They are coming off a home loss to Vanderbilt, where they trailed for more than half of the game.

While Arkansas is trending down, Kentucky is trending up and this is a game the Wildcats should control for the majority of the contest, especially at home.

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Let’s look at the matchup.

Frontcourt Rotation

The most interesting development for Kentucky of late has been the frontcourt rotation. Just a few weeks ago, it looked as if Ugonna Onyenso would assume the role of the primary big. While he has started nine straight games, he has played 15 minutes or less in the last two games, with Zvonimir Ivisic playing setting season-highs in minutes in each game.

Ivisic certainly helps raise Kentucky’s offense when he is on the court, but the question has been his defense. Against Mississippi State, he was analytically Kentucky’s best defense with the best defensive rating and stoppage rate on the team. Each big brings different strengths, but if Ivisic can continue to become more comfortable on the defensive end, his versatility on offense may give him the edge.

This conversation excludes Tre Mitchell who has returned to practice and is expected to return soon. He has yet to play extended minutes with either big Onyenso or Ivisic since hitting their stride. It will be interesting to see how he will fit in certain lineups and in the rotation.

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Good Start, End it Early

Unlike the first game where there was some hope Arkansas could turn their season around, things are much bleaker this time around. While they still have talent, the Razorbacks are now 14-14 on the year and certainly won’t make the NCAA Tournament barring a miraculous run.

With little morale surrounding Arkansas basketball and rumors Musselman may leave after the season (potentially Louisville…), this is a game Kentucky needs to win at home and put away early, not giving them any confidence. That begins with a good start to the game which has been an inconsistency for the Wildcats this year. Entering March, they need to be consistent in that, rather than putting themselves in a hole to start each game.

Rebounding Battle

Arkansas is not a good rebounding team, but they still outrebounded Kentucky in the first game. This time around, Kentucky is more experienced and better equipped to handle the physicality the Razorbacks will look to play with.

Limiting Arkansas to just one possession and getting defensive rebounds to push it in transition will be a big part of Kentucky’s game plan.

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Opposing Players to Watch

G Tramon Mark, 6-6, 185 lbs

  • 16.8 PPG (8th in SEC)
  • 49.3% FG (9th in SEC)
  • 38.0% 3P (20th in SEC)
  • Coming off 42-point and 36-point performances.

G Khalif Battle, 6-5, 185 lbs

  • 12.7 PPG
  • 37.8% 3P (22nd in SEC)

F Makhi Mitchell, 6-10, 240 lbs

Averages over the last 9 games

  • 12.4 PPG
  • 7.7 RPG
  • 1.4 BPG

Kentucky Basketball vs. Arkansas Razorbacks

  • Date: Saturday, March 2nd, 2024
  • Time: 1:30 PM ET
  • Location: Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center in Lexington, Kentucky.
  • TV Channel: CBS
  • Online Stream: CBS Sports and the CBS Sports app.
  • Radio: Tom Leach and Jack Givens have the radio call on the UK Sports Radio Network.
  • Replay: CBS Sports app check local listings.
  • Rosters: UK | ARK
  • Stats to Know: UK | ARK
  • KenPom: UK | ARK
  • Team Sheets: UK | ARK
  • Odds: The odds have yet to be officially released, but the line is expected to be around -10.5 Kentucky. ESPN gives Kentucky a 70.7% chance of winning this road contest. EvanMiya gives the Cats a 70.5% chance of victory. Bart Torvik has it at 73%, and KenPom is at 73%.
  • Predictions: Bart Torvik picks Kentucky to win on the road, 89-81, with Haslametrics providing a similar score projection, 89-79. However, EvanMiya has the Cats winning just 85-79. KenPom is going with an 87-80 victory, Kentucky!

Also published on A Sea of Blue.

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BB Recruiting

Top 25 Transfer Otega Oweh Commits to Kentucky

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Oklahoma Sooners transfer Otega Oweh has comitted to play basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats.
NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

Following Lamont Butler’s commitment to Kentucky on Friday, the Wildcats have received another commitment less than 24 hours later. This time Oklahoma transfer Otega Oweh, he announced on his social media.

This comes after Oweh visited Lexington earlier this week, with reports coming out that his recruitment could be wrapped up quickly after.

Oweh is a top 25 transfer according to 247Sports, 38th by EvanMiya, and 55th by ESPN. Listed at 6-5, 210 pounds, Oweh is a strong and physical guard. His strength and athleticism have been a strength dating back to high school, which allows him to impact the game defensively, and also to get to the rim and thrive in transition opportunities.

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In two years at Oklahoma, the area that Oweh has significantly improved in has been his shooting. As a freshman, he shot just 25 percent from three, on just four attempts for the season, to 37.7 percent as a sophomore, making 20 of his 53 attempts. Most of that success comes from catch-and-shoot opportunities, where he rates in the 87th percentile. His ability to shoot off the dribble is the polar opposite, rating in just the 4th percentile.

Oweh is a two-way player with two years of eligibility remaining, while he will bring experience, there is still room for development with NBA upside. While he may not be a primary option, he’s certainly a player that can impact the game.

Oweh is now Kentucky’s third addition from the transfer portal and sixth player overall. A handful of top transfers are visiting, or currently visiting, Kentucky this weekend. The staff is hopeful a few join the roster.

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BB Recruiting

REPORT: San Diego State Transfer Lamont Butler Commits to Kentucky

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San Diego State transfer Lamont Butler has committed to play basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats.
Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Amidst anxiety from many of the Big Blue Nation, the Kentucky basketball program has added another player to the roster. On Friday Lamont Butler, a consensus top-60 transfer from San Diego State, committed to Kentucky, reported by On3.

Kentucky has been in contact with Butler since he entered the portal earlier this week. On Friday morning, four members of the Kentucky staff took a visit to Las Vegas, which we know now was to see Butler. It was enough to secure his commitment.

Coming out of a high school as a three-star prospect, Butler has been a true case of development. In four seasons with San Diego State, he improved his numbers year after year. As a three-year starter for the Aztecs, Butler averaged 7.7 points (41.2% FG), 2.6 assists, and 2.3 rebounds. He also received Mountain West All-Defense honors three straight seasons, winning the Defensive Player of the Year award this past year.

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Butler was a star for the San Diego State team that made it to the National Championship game in 2023, even hitting the buzzer-beater to send them to the title game. He will provide Kentucky with proven experience and the knowledge of what it takes to win.

As his defensive accolades show, Butler makes his biggest impact on the defensive side of the ball. However, he plays well within a system and is a really good passer for a guard who plays primarily off the ball, with a 21 percent assist rate. He also grades fairly well analytically on spot-up shots and in pick-and-roll situations as the ball handler.

With Butler on the roster, there are still many spots to fill, especially some spots for “dudes”. Fortunately, many big names are expected to be in Lexington this weekend for the visit.

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BB Recruiting

Kentucky to Host Multiple Top Transfers This Weekend

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Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats are hosting multiple top transfers this weekend for visits, looking to add to their roster.

With the deadline for players to enter the portal coming up on May 1st, Kentucky nearly has all their options on the table. Now two weeks since taking the job, Mark Pope has expressed interest in nearly two dozen names and has been keying in on some top names in the portal.

As of writing this article, top 25 transfer Otega Oweh (Oklahoma), is currently on a visit to Lexington, with three more players set to visit this weekend. There’s a good chance that some of those visits turn into commitments.

Let’s take a look at those names.

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Deivon Smith – Guard, Utah

Physicals: 6’0, 173 lbs
Stats: 13.3 PPG, 7.1 APG, 6.3 RPG, 46.% FG, 40.8% 3P
Ranking: 10th (Evan Miya), 38rd (247Sports)

Kentucky has had just three players record a triple-double in program history. Deivon Smith recorded five triple-doubles this past season alone, the second-most all-time for a single season in NCAA history.

While undersized, he is one of the best all-around guards in the country, as his numbers show. It’s still early, but Kentucky getting the first visit is significant. St. John’s and Texas Tech have also been mentioned here.

Andrej Stojaković – Guard, Stanford

Physicals: 6’7, 190 lbs
Stats: 7.8 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 40.9% FG, 32.7% 3P
Ranking: 183rd (Evan Miya), 51st (247Sports)

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Stojakovic is the son of former NBA All-Star, Peja Stojakovic. A familiar name for Kentucky fans from his high school recruitment. Stojakovic is a terrific shooter, and a top-25 recruit in the 2023 class.

On Thursday, Stojakovic cut his list to just three schools: California, UNC, and Kentucky. As a West Coast product, California was a school that showed interest when he was in high school, and so did Mark Pope when he was at BYU. Pope has made Stojakovic a priority, he could seal the deal this weekend.

Aidan Mahaney – Guard, Saint Mary’s

Physicals: 6-3, 180 lbs
Stats: 13.9 PPG, 2.6 APG, 38.6% FG, 35.5% 3P
Ranking: 96th (Evan Miya), 14th (247Sports)

One of the best guards in the portal. As a lead guard for Saint Mary’s, he displayed a good sense of playing under control, setting himself up and others. That said, his numbers were rather inefficient as the primary scoring option for the Gaels and shooting more than half of his shots from three. There are concerns about his playing against bigger guards.

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Mahaney visited UConn Thursday and it looks to be a race between Creighton, Virginia, UConn, and Kentucky.

Andrew Carr – Forward, Wake Forest

Physicals: 6-11, 230 lbs
Stats: 13.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 52.6% FG, 37.1% 3P
Ranking: 33rd (Evan Miya), Not Listed (247Sports)

A near 7-footer who is efficient and can stretch the floor, shooting over 37 percent from three, is a player that Mark Pope would love to add to his roster. That describes Andrew Carr who has played two years at each Delaware and Wake Forest and is looking to go elsewhere for his last season of eligibility.

Carr is coming off a visit to Texas Tech and will visit Villanova after he visits Lexington this weekend.

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