After coming off the first win of the Mark Pope era in a 103-63 win versus Wright State, the Cats were going to have another early test, this time in the Bucknell Bison of the Patriot League. Big man Noah Williamson came into the game as the Bison’s star player after a 19-point season opener versus Delaware and followed that up with an impressive 32-point game versus Southern Indiana in the Bison’s first two regular season games. 

First Half ups and downs

The Cats started with a 10-3 lead entering the first timeout, led by star guard Jaxson Robinson with 5 quick points to open the game. The ‘Cats would later extend their lead with the help of Dayton transfer Koby Brea who made three of his six three-point attempts in the first half. Mark Pope’s squad would also face a struggle in the middle of the half with sloppy play and uncharacteristic misses on the offensive side of the floor. The ‘Cats would get back on track late in the half and enter the halftime break up 47-31.

Second Half firepower

The ‘Cats didn’t skip a beat as they started to roll in the second half with Kerr Krissa finding his teammates left and right for open shots. Kriisa would finish the game with 12 assists with just 2 turnovers. Brea stayed hot hitting 3 more 3 pointers. Brea finished with 20 points and 6 of 8 from behind the arc. Kentucky would steamroll the Bison with a final score of 100-72 in their second game under head coach Mark Pope as his team gets ready for a clash versus the Duke Blue Devil on Tuesday.

Keys to the game 

The three-point attempts and makes were both up against the Bison from their matchup against Wright State where they only made 11 of 24. Tonight in the win against Bucknell the ‘Cats took 36 threes connecting on 13. The impressive play from Amari Williams who held Bucknell’s star player Noah Williamson to just 7 points on 3 of 12 shooting was a big plus for Pope’s squad tonight. Lastly, Kerr Kriisa was all over the court creating havoc on both ends finishing with 6 points, 4 rebounds, and 12 assists in a game where Mark Pope acknowledged Kriisa by saying “I have to be careful. I think I knew exactly who I was getting. I’ve been recruiting Kerr for I think seven years or something. I’m telling you he’s a really special player. He’s a really special young man.” Pope made it known just how important Kerr Kriisa was for his team.

When are the ‘Cats back in action?

Kentucky will take on the Duke Blue Devils Tuesday night at 9 PM at Champions Classic in Atlanta, GA inside State Farm Arena the game will air on ESPN.

Box Score

Kentucky never has to worry about a big game being sell out, nor most regular season games. However, that is not the case for the school an hour down the road.

With a new and energetic head coach bringing an exciting style of play, one would think that Louisville Cardinal fans would be ready to support their program and attend a Top 25 game in their NBA style arena. Yet, you would be wrong.

With a matchup with 12th ranked Tennessee on Saturday, the Cardinals have thousands of tickets available for KFC Yum Center. Earlier this week head coach Pat Kelsey went around Louisville’s campus to encourage students to purchase tickets and attend the game.

UPS and Louisville boosters have purchased tickets in bulk this week to give away. Now just 24 hours away from tip and in order to have a respectable atmosphere, they have resorted to giving away FREE tickets, as long as you are a Planet Fitness member which costs $10/month.

Sound the “LUNK” alarm for Louisville’s ticket sales.

Love it or hate it, Kentucky and Arkansas will be compared to one another all season and that is because of the move of John Calipari this offseason. After fifteen seasons at Kentucky, it’s natural for people to want to follow how the now-former Kentucky coach fares in Fayetteville.

Following the Razorbacks season-opening win against Lipscomb, Calipari was asked a question about Baylor and Scott Drew, who they play this weekend.Rathern than asking about the matchup, a reporter asked if he had talked to Drew about the Kentucky job when he had a top candidate for the opening this offseason.

“He [Drew] never called me on it. We never talked,” Calipari responded. “I see what Mark Pope is doing, good for him. Good for him. And it’s a program that deserves that.”

Drew heavily considered taking the job, even sending his family for a visit of Lexington before ultimately declining. Calipari spoke as to why he believed Drew remained at Baylor.

“Scott has done unbelievable work at Baylor and probably got comfortable there and, ‘Why would I go into that hornet’s nest?’”

That “hornet’s nest” is Kentucky. To be fair to him, he is correct, as the Kentucky job is not for everyone. However, for the reasons it can be seen as a “hornet’s nest”, i.e. the pressure and expectations, it is also the reasons it is the greatest job in college basketball. Mark Pope, who is at the helm now, understands that as well as anyone in the country.