Connect with us

Men's Basketball

Big Blue Madness 2023 Recap and Takeaways

Published

on

Kentucky Wildcats forward Zvonimir Ivisic (44) celebrates with guard Joey Hart (20) during the dunk contest during Big Blue Madness at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center.
© Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

There was a lot of hype surrounding this year’s edition of Big Blue Madness. Let’s be real, it has been very underwhelming in the last few years, but there was an element of anticipation that gave #BBM23 some life. Whether it was the debut of Zvonimir Ivisic or the hope of a surprise, big-name guest, the air was full of excitement in Rupp Arena.

Following the shows that the women’s basketball team, the cheer team, and the dance team put on for the BBN, it was finally time for some men’s basketball. The lights in the arena shut off, and the blue light sticks came out. A long list of recruits were in the house, and it’s safe to say that they had a lot to take in from the event.

Big Z is Finally Here and in a Kentucky Uniform

While his night ended after warmups, Zvonimir Ivisic finally got his first look of what it is like to be a Kentucky Wildcat, performing in front of the BBN. His night began with a warm welcome during the introductions. Then, in warmups, Ivisic was the spectacle everyone wanted to see. Towering over all of his teammates, he wasn’t hard to find, either.

Advertisement

Big Z put on his own mini-dunk contest for the fans as he was throwing down monstrous two-handed flushes and even a windmill during warmups. While we didn’t get to see him in a scrimmage setting, it is a big, big sigh of relief to see him in blue and white. However, John Calipari announced that Ivisic will see his first game-like action at the Blue-White game at NKU on October 21st.

Joey Hart Can be a Contributor

It has been a big week for three-star freshman Joey Hart. The Linton, Indiana native really got things going at UK Pro Day. Unfortunately, Adou Thiero (who was held out of BBM, by the way) went down with an ankle injury. For Joey Hart, however, that meant an opportunity for him to step up. And step up he did.

At Pro Day, Hart made made three after three, and at the end, Calipari even mentioned how NBA scouts were asking, “Who’s number 20?” Well, as confirmed at Big Blue Madness, number 20 is one of the more fun players on this team. With some prime Vince Carter-like dunks, Hart won the dunk contest.

In the scrimmage, Hart had some good moments on defense as well, causing disruption and forcing misses. Over the course of three days, Hart proved that he will be a much-needed component of the 2023-24 team, especially early on as Kentucky is dealing with a few injuries.

Advertisement

Flamethrower. Money. Automatic. Antonio Reeves.

In case it wasn’t obvious, the return of Antonio Reeves is going to be a tremendous get for Cal and this team. Reeves’ night began in the three-point contest where he was absolutely on fire. In round one, Reeves put up 26 points, the most of the entire competition. In the finals, he scored 20 points to Reed Sheppard’s 18 to win the event.

Reeves has now won back-to-back Big Blue Madness three-point contests, but perhaps his biggest moments came during the scrimmage. Reeves was all over the court. On defense, sharing the rock, even throwing down a big dunk. Of course, he was still knocking down triples.

Scoring 14.4 points per game and shooting 39.8% from three last season was definitely a big positive, and it looks like we’ll see similar production this season. Don’t be surprised if he is the team’s scoring leader, averaging around 18 points per game and shooting around 42% or so from three. He had a great season last year, but he’s looking even better. Watch out, college basketball.


The 2023 edition of Big Blue Madness was… something. While it was nice to see DeMarcus Cousins in Lexington once again, UK missed out on some big-time guests. Musical artists Lil Wayne and Lil Durk were rumored to make an appearance, but a rumor is all it was. And once again, the scrimmage was a recreation of what happens in your local YMCA at times. There were still some good things to take away from the event, however. The BBN should be excited for this upcoming season.

Advertisement

Men's Basketball

CBS Sports: Kentucky Has “ended pursuits” in Transfer Portal Following Aberdeen Commitment

In the wake of yet another addition to Kentucky’s incoming roster, CBS Sports reports that Coach Pope and staff may have closed the portal.

Published

on

Mark Pope and staff may have everything they need from the transfer portal.
Chet White | UK Athletics

Following another flurry of transfer portal additions in his second year at the helm, it appears that Mark Pope and staff are satisfied with their sophomore haul. The portal in Lexington may be officially closed for the 2025-26′ season.

Right after Kentucky received the surprising commitment of Denzel Aberdeen, Matt Norlander, an analyst for CBS Sports, posted the following on X (Twitter):

“Barring any portal defections, Kentucky has ended its pursuits of all other portal targets, sources told CBS Sports. Getting Aberdeen today [April 21] meant they’ve moved off Andrej Stojakovic, Rylan Griffen, etc. Otega Oweh going through pre-draft process-but I expect him back in Lex”.

Advertisement

With the addition of Aberdeen, the Wildcats’ roster ballooned to near-max capacity for next season. Seeing two of the team’s walk-on players, Grant Darbyshire and Walker Horn, enter the transfer portal seemed to all but confirm this suspicion, too.

Losing One of Our Own

That is, until last night. With less than two hours remaining for players to do so, Travis Perry shocked much of the Big Blue Nation by throwing his name into the hat. This came just weeks after a string of comments from the Kentucky-native point guard seemed to confirm his return for a sophomore season.

Though all the same, given Kentucky’s bulk of back-court additions this offseason, his departure makes sense for the sake of playing time alone. The Lyon King will be sorely missed.

So while the Kentucky staff may still be very much content with their current roster, with hundreds of players remaining in the portal and an unexpected spot on the roster coming open, another grab is far from out of the question.

Advertisement

Who Coach Pope and company would go after is entirely unclear, as that potential player would likely have to accept a minimized role off the bench for a stretch of his time in Lexington. If anything, the logical replacement would be a direct fill-in at the PG2/PG3 spot in Perry’s absence.

Either way, the ‘Cats are set to come into next season as one of the most exciting teams in college basketball with a ceiling far out of view. Mark Pope continues to prove his prowess in the transfer market, too, easing the worries of Wildcats fans and closing the door on many supposed “insiders” who’ve spent the last month suggesting otherwise.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Men's Basketball

REPORT: Travis Perry Enters Transfer Portal

Published

on

Kentucky basketball Travis Perry talks about growing more comfortable on the court.
Jordan Prather | IMAGN

The transfer portal has been kind to Kentucky in the Mark Pope era. Last season, the staff was able to build a Sweet Sixteen roster almost exclusively from the portal, and this offseason have put together a top-five portal class.

While the portal giveth, it also taketh. Just hours before the deadline to enter, Kentucky native and fan favorite Travis Perry has entered the transfer portal, per multiple reports.

Coming to Kentucky as the state’s all-time high-school scoring record holder, fans were excited to see how his career would unfold in Lexington.

Advertisement

Not expecting to play much freshman, he was called upon due to injuries and played some key minutes for the Wildcats into the postseason. He averaged 2.7 PPG and .6 APG on 32% shooting from three.

Looking at the depth chart, it was difficult to see where Perry would get much playing time next season, leading to his decision to enter the portal.

Perry has yet to release an official statement, but all the best to him in his future.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Men's Basketball

Top Transfer Guard Denzel Aberdeen Commits to Kentucky

Former Florida guard Denzel Aberdeen commits to Kentucky, likely closing the transfer portal for next year’s roster.

Published

on

Denzel Aberdeen commits to Kentucky.
UF Athletics

Another day, another “boom.” Denzel Aberdeen has officially committed to Kentucky for the 2025-26’ season.

A soon-to-be senior guard fresh off his championship win with Florida, Aberdeen spent his first three years of eligibility in Gainesville. Now, following an apparent conflict in the Gators’ rotation, he’s swapped teams in the southeast.

At 6 ‘5”, 190, Aberdeen spent much of this past season beating defenders off the dribble and making them pay at the rim. His speed and size made him a nightmare off the bench for opposing teams, and for the short stretch of play that he started during the year, Florida didn’t miss a beat. 

Advertisement

In 19 minutes, Aberdeen averaged 8 points, two rebounds and one assist per game. His consistent contribution to the Gators’ title run made him one of the most coveted transfers in the cycle this season, and given his big blue commitment just days after entering the portal, Mark Pope clearly wasted no time in Kentucky’s pursuit.

Aberdeen slots in as yet another addition to what was already one of the strongest portal classes going into next season. His SEC experience and combo-guard intangibles make Aberdeen one of the most exciting portal players to come through Lexington in a long while, reinforcing Kentucky’s back court to what may be the final degree.

Whether or not Mark Pope is officially done for next season, nobody is sure, but this commitment only further cements the fact that he knows exactly what he’s doing. Just like the  fanbase behind him, Coach Pope seems to never sleep.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending