Men's Basketball

Kentucky vs Arkansas: TV/Streaming Info and Keys to the Game

Published

2 years ago

February 6, 2023

Through Kentucky’s improvement, there is one thing that has been missing, a controlled win. While there were some runs made by Florida, the Wildcats earned such a victory on Saturday in a wire-to-wire win over the Gators.

After starting 1-3 in the conference, Kentucky is now on a six-game SEC win streak and is tied with Auburn for third in the conference (note: two-way tie for second between Tennessee and Texas A&M). In that stretch, John Calipari’s motto to his team has been, ‘win the day’ and that is exactly what they have done.

The Wildcats are not overpowering their opponents, but are building upon each performance, and they will hope to do the same on Tuesday at home against a tough Arkansas team.

Similar to Kentucky, the Razorbacks entered the season with very high expectations, but have fallen short. After starting the season in the Top 10, Arkansas fell out of the Top 25 rankings after losing five of their first six conference games. Since then, they have started a four-game win streak to get back to .500.

The Razorbacks are a team that have struggled mightily on the road, just 1-5 on the season, they picked up their first road victory in a narrow two-point win over South Carolina this past weekend. However, they are capable, ranked 29th in the NET, which is currently the second-highest of Kentucky’s remaining opponents.

Let’s take a closer look at this matchup.

Let the Playmakers Continue to Make Plays

Kentucky’s offense early in the season drew a lot of criticism, but changes have been made and the Wildcats are executing on the offensive end as well as they have all season. A big reason for that is that the playmakers are making plays, specifically Antonio Reeves and Cason Wallace.

The offense has not been incredibly intricate but instead has been rather simple. Against Ole Miss and Florida last week, Reeves and Wallace were receiving the ball in high ball-screening action, which they have excelled in. As proof, Reeves scored a season-high 27 points against Ole Miss, and Wallace scored 20 points against Florida, his second-highest point total of the season.

Where the two have been most important is when the play breaks down. Obviously, not everything is going to go to plan, but Reeves and Wallace have the ability to improvise and make a play at the end of the shot clock due to their three-level scoring.

I am sure Kentucky’s offense will continue to add new wrinkles, but at its core, let your playmakers make plays.

Depth

In the offseason, Arkansas brought in eleven players from high school recruiting and the transfer portal, to mix with some key players on the roster. However, depth, which was presumed to be a strength, has become their biggest weakness.

Just four Razorbacks have played in every game this season due to injury. The two headlining injuries have been Trevon Brazile who tore his ACL and Nick Smith due to an unspecified knee injury.

For an example of just how limited the Arkansas lineup has become, three players played all forty minutes for Arkansas in their last game against South Carolina.

On the other hand, Kentucky is not reliant on just one player. Against Florida, Kentucky’s two leading scorers, Antonio Reeves, and Oscar Tshiebwe combined for just eight points, while Fredrick, Toppin, and Wallace combined for 49 points.

In their seven-eight man lineup, the Wildcats have different players that are capable and have proven they can step up, that doesn’t include Daimion Collins and Adou Theiro that have are even deeper in the lineup and have provided good minutes as of late.

As Sahvir Wheeler has said several times, games are like a tightrope and Kentucky should be prepared to use their depth to be the last one holding it.

Match the Physicality

One consistent thing about Eric Musselman’s Arkansas teams is that they are going to play hard and physcial, and Kentucky will need to match that.on Tuesday night.

As in every game that Kentucky will play the rest of the season, they will need to be physical and rebound their opponent, but it may slightly more important to do so against this Arkansas team.

The Razorbacks are a team that likes to crash the glass hard from the perimeter, and they have size at the guard positions. In fact, two of their three leading rebounders (Brazile is first but out for the season) are starting guards Davonte Davis and Anthony Black. Controlling the defensive glass will in turn allow Kentucky to push the ball in transition.

On the other end, the Wildcats will need to crash the glass hard for second-chance points, as points may be hard to come by against a Razorback defense that is ranked in the top 15 in defense efficiency. The best way to combat poor shooting is second-chance opportunities around the rim.

To accomplish both of these tasks, the Wildcats are going to have to “fight” as Oscar Tshiebwe would say.

Kentucky Wildcats (16-7) vs. Arkansas Razorbacks (16-7)

Time/Date: 9:00 pm ET on Tuesday, February 7th, 2023
Location: Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY
TV Channel: ESPN
Online Stream: WatchESPN, ESPN+, SEC Network+ or ESPN app
Radio: Tom Leach and Jack Givens have the UK radio network call on the UK Sports Radio Network.
Replay: WatchESPN and SEC Network (check local listings).
Rosters: UK | ARK
Team Sheets: UK | ARK
Stats To Know: UK | ARK

Odds: DraftKings Sportsbook has yet to release the odds. ESPN’s matchup predictor gives the Wildcats a 64.8% edge. However, Bart Torvik’s computer models continue to be low on the Wildcats and give Kentucky just a 54% chance.

Predictions: Bart Torvik picks the Wildcats to win in a nail-biter, 71-70.

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.

Published

13 hours ago

June 26, 2025

Lane Mills

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.

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.

Men's Basketball

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

Published

14 hours ago

June 26, 2025

Ali Cetinok

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.

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!

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.

Published

2 days ago

June 25, 2025

Ali Cetinok

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.”

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.

“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.”