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Men's Basketball

Kentucky vs. Florida: Postgame Recap

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© Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

Florida was coming off an upset win against No. 2 Tennessee on Tuesday night and had a large amount of confidence afterward. However, that would not make it any easier for them in Rupp Arena on Saturday night.

Kentucky got off to a great start on defense in the first half only allowing 22 points to the Gators and being the faster and better team for the entire half. While they were struggling shooting on offense at 38 percent, they were making use of their second-chance opportunities to give themselves a 33-22 lead at the half.

However, the second half would get much harder for the Cats even after going up by 14 at the under 8-minute timeout in the second half. Toward the end of the game, Kentucky tried to grind the clock and struggled to make shots, which allowed Florida to back into the game, cutting it to just three with under a minute to go.

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In the end, the Wildcats were able to knock down some big free throws and hold them off in a close 72-67 win, making Kentucky now 7-3 in conference play.

Let’s take a closer look.

Point Guard Play

Cason Wallace played as efficient of a game as you will see in college basketball. Scoring twenty points, Wallace only needed 10 shot attempts and shot 70% from the field, and did so in just 27 minutes.

Five of those points came during the most important stretch of the game. With under three minutes to go, after Florida cut it to five, Wallace hit a tough layup and a three to give Kentucky a cushion heading into the final minutes.

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Wallace also impacted this game on the defensive side tallying three blocks and a steal. Including this one, that had Rupp Arena going crazy.

With that said, Cason Wallace wasn’t the only point guard that played well, as Sahvir Wheeler played his role of backup point guard to perfection.

Off the bench, Wheeler has his fingerprints all over the game, tallying 8 points, 2 assists, 2 steals. and 0 turnovers. During his time on the floor, he was exceptional at pushing the ball in transition. Multiple times, Wheeler was able to beat the defense back and either find the open man or take it himself.

After the game, John Calipari was sure to note Wheeler’s performance and tell the media, “Sahvir. Without him, we (Kentucky) don’t win this game.”

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Improvements on Defense

The defense looked far better in this game, especially in the first half. Every shot at the basket was contested and there were no easy buckets. Which is an area that Kentucky has struggled against, giving up straight-line drives.

The second half came with some breakdowns, especially in the pick-and-roll game where Kentucky has struggled all season. Florida also started hitting contested jumpers in the second half, fueling their comeback.

When Kentucky needed it most up three on the last possession of the game, they got the stop to win the game. There are still improvements to be made, but the Cats are building upon each performance and showing improvement.

Daimion Collins

Coming into this season, Daimion Collins was tabbed to be a potential breakout player for the Wildcats this season. After seeing his performances in the Bahamas and reports from early practices, that looked as if that would be the case.

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However, just days before the start of the regular season, tragedy struck as his father, Ben Collins, passed away. Last week, John Calipari provided insight into just how much the loss affected him.

“His dad passed away. His dad was his best friend, would have been the best man in his wedding,” Calipari said on Daimion’s relationship with his dad. “All of a sudden he loses 16 pounds and we’re playing other people.”

In the last two games, Collins has stepped up in limited action and on Saturday, he made two of the biggest free throws of the game. Coming back to the bench, Collins was greeted with a hug from Calipari that all of Big Blue Nation could feel, and a deserved ovation from the Rupp Arena crowd.

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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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