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Men's Basketball

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

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© Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

In mid-January things looked bleak for the Kentucky Wildcats, as they sat on the wrong side of the bubble. Now a month later, John Calipari has led his team to an impressive turnaround and looks to have solidified themselves into the NCAA Tournament after winning 9 of their last 12 games.

After a tough-fought road win against Florida, the Wildcats will host the Auburn Tigers on Saturday for their next challenge. However, unlike Kentucky, the Tigers look to be trending in the wrong direction, losing six of their last nine.

With that said, all signs are pointing to this game being a close one. Case in point, the two teams are separated by just a few spots in the NET rankings (Kentucky: 28th, Auburn 31st). As the end of the regular season draws nearer, it is important for each team to finish strong.

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Let’s take a closer look at the matchup.

Rebound, Rebound, Rebound

Oscar Tshiebwe and Johni Broome, the SEC’s two leading rebounders, will face off on Saturday in a ‘battle of the boards’. Each is vitally important to their teams, helping get extra possessions.

Yet, it is not just Broome that is capable of rebounding as they average one of the best marks in the SEC, with 37.5 rebounds per game and 10.2 offensive rebounds per game. The same is true of Kentucky, which is statistically a better rebounding team, especially with Jacob Toppin and Chris Livingston improving significantly in that area.

One thing to note is that Oscar Tshiebwe tabbed the Auburn game as one he was most excited for in the preseason, so expect him to be extra motivated. The most important key to victory is winning the rebounding battle and limiting Auburn to one shot per possession.

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Make Some Threes, Force Auburn to Shoot Threes

While their offense has been respectable, Auburn’s been a better defensive team this season. Similar to Florida, they like to run opponents off of the three-point line – 4th in opponent three-point percentage (27.7%) – and funnel them into their good interior defense – fifth in blocks (5.6 bpg).

Due to this, Auburn will happily give up the mid-range shot, a shot that Wildcats can take but cannot fall in love with on Saturday. Instead, they will capitalize on the three-point opportunities they are given, to space the floor and allow driving lanes for Cason Wallace and Chris Livingston.

On the other hand, Auburn is one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the country and they know that by not taking too many. The Wildcats need to continue to show improvement at defending the pick and roll, and force Auburn to beat them with three.

Then again, they could come into Rupp Arena and have their best shooting game of the season, as a lot of teams have.

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Make Free Throws

Auburn will foul as they foul at one of the highest rates in the country, nearly 35 percent of the time. As of late, they have been fouling at an even higher clip, with their opponents averaging nearly 28 free throw attempts per game over the last five games.

With Kentucky’s tendency to be more aggressive as of late, they should see plenty of the time as well. Fortunately, they have shot 75% or better in three of their last four games and will need that to continue to provide a good portion of their scoring.

Kentucky Basketball (19-9) vs. Auburn Tigers (19-9)

Time/Date: 4:00 pm ET on February 25th, 2023
Location: Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY
TV Channel: CBS
Online Stream: CBS Sports
Radio: Tom Leach and Jack Givens have the UK radio network call on the UK Sports Radio Network.
Replay: Check local listings.
Rosters: UK | AUB
Team SheetsUK | AUB
Stats To Know: UK | AUB

Odds: DraftKings Sportsbook has yet to release the offs for the game. ESPN’s matchup predictor is fairly confident in the Wildcats, giving them a 66.5 % chance to win. While Bart Torvik stills chooses Kentucky, but with much less confidence, at 55%.

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PredictionsBart Torvik picks the Wildcats to win in a thrilling battle, 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.

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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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