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Kentucky Confident Going Into Third Matchup Against Tennessee, “We’re Going to Win That Game”

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entucky Wildcats guard Lamont Butler (1) stretches during the NCAA tournament midwest regional.
Robert Goddin | Imagn

On Friday, March 28th, the Kentucky Wildcats will look to reach their first Elite Eight since the 2018-19 season. However, of all teams to stand in the Cats’ way, the rival Tennesee Volunteers.

These two squads have faced off twice this season, where Kentucky won both of its matchups on Jan. 28 and Feb. 11.

Lamont Butler, who was absent from the Jan. 28 game where the Wildcats defeated the Volunteers 78-73 in Knoxville, took the podium with teammates Amari Williams and Koby Brea to talk about how they’ve managed to make it to this point. 

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“We got a lot of underdogs on this team,” said Butler. “A lot of people have been doubted, just throughout life…we want to seize our opportunity, and just be great out there.”

“We stay reslient. We stay together. That showed today. Everybody was playing with love and passion for one another. We can’t focus about anything but the next game. We just have a lot of love, and we’re going to win that game.”

With a pat on the back from Head Coach Mark Pope, Brea followed Butler with a passionate message.

“I agree with them, and I continue to say, I feel like God really has a plan for this team,” said Brea. “A lot of people think we wasn’t going to be able to be here, and so, it’s just a testament to what God has done for us.” 

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Butler, with a statement that would make every Kentucky fan happy, said confidently that the outcome for the Sweet Sixteen has already been decided. “We’re going to win that game,” said Butler. 

Pope talked about the bond this team has and how happy he is that Big Blue Nation (BBN) gets to see it.

“What a blessing to be around this group,” said Pope. “I am glad BBN gets to see it. I hope they feel it from these guys.”

Butler added in the locker room how excited he is to be in the Sweet Sixteen and face Tennessee.

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“Tennessee is a great team…we’re gonna have a great scout on them,” said Butler. “I hope I can finish the game, hopefully, it’s a win too.” 

The Wildcats are coming off a red-hot win against Illinois and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. Now, with history within reach, the Wildcats will need to take down that orange “little brother” a third and final time this year. 

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Men's Basketball

Florida Transfer Denzel Aberdeen Commits to Kentucky

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Florida Gators

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. 

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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 backcourt 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 his fanbase, Coach Pope seems to never sleep.

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Men's Basketball

Otega Oweh Declares for NBA Draft, Maintains College Eligibility

Arguably the centerpiece of last year’s team, Otega Oweh has declared for the NBA Draft… but that doesn’t mean he’s officially gone.

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Otega Oweh declares for the NBA Draft whilst maintaining his college eligibility.
Chet White | UK Athletics

Few players have taken the Big Blue Nation by storm like Otega Oweh did with his arrival this past season. A lot was new in Lexington last year, but #00 stuck out for a number of reasons; namely, his infectious energy on the court and the high odds that he was going to put an opponent on a poster on any given night.

Now, Oweh has declared for the NBA Draft. He made the announcement on social media, calling Kentucky fans the “best fans in the world.”

While this may seem dire for folks keeping tabs on next year’s roster, that last line in Oweh’s announcement is crucial: “…while maintaining my NCAA eligibility.” Essentially, Otega’s time in Lexington is far from over, at least for the time being.

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Whether or not “Tegatron” returns to Rupp will likely depend on what he hears during the draft process, and where exactly he wants to land. In the modern college basketball landscape, it’s become common practice for players to “test the waters” in the draft, just to get an idea as to where they stand with the league, before returning to college for another year of development.

Take, for example, Jaxson Robinson just last season. Before his eventual transfer to Kentucky, Robinson declared for the draft out of BYU, maintaining his eligibility, before pulling from the process in order to spend his senior year at Kentucky. It happens all the time.

While that doesn’t necessarily set Oweh’s return in stone, it at least gives the Big Blue Nation to take a breather and keep calm, as his departure is far from official. Either way, #00 is a Lexington legend whose first go-around in Kentucky blue was as memorable as anyone’s could be. The “Oweh, Oweh, Oweh” chants will go on regardless.

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Men's Basketball

Four Star Forward Visiting Kentucky Amidst Recruitment Rumors

Mark Pope is looking to close out a strong sophomore effort in the transfer portal, and this freshman guard may be the final piece.

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Four star guard Braydon Hawthorne is on a visit to Kentucky.
Braydon Hawthorne | WVU Athletics

As the transfer portal trucks on (and the NCAA races to find ways to regulate it), Mark Pope is looking to tie a bow on his already highly-ranked 2025-26′ roster. The latest potential addition becomes in the form of a freshman who, after pulling his commitment from West Virginia, will be on an official visit to Kentucky today, Wednesday, April 16.

Braydon Hawthorne, the 6’8″ forward at hand, is a lengthy, scoring wing with high upside on the offensive end. His 7’3″ wingspan opens opportunities for development on the defensive end, too – he’s an investment opportunity of the highest order. On3 currently has him at 48th on their ranking of 2025 recruits.

In addition to Kentucky and West Virginia (where Hawthorne is from), schools such as Virginia Tech, Arizona State, Marquette, Dayton, Old Dominion, Mount St. Mary’s, and more have thrown their hats into the ring, although the general consensus seems to be that Kentucky has the strongest pull/interest in the prospect for the time being.

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Whether or not that actually means he’ll be in blue and white is unfortunately unsure – as that’s how the transfer portal operates – but an in-person visit is a good indicator of mutual interest. Plus, with Kentucky “losing out” on Lamar Wilkerson, who committed to Indiana, a scoring spot in the back court remains open… and Hawthorne is a compelling candidate to fill it.

While Wildcats fans wait patiently for a potential commitment, all eyes are on Coach Cody Fueger’s X account for a trademark “boom” post.

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