Men's Basketball

Kentucky vs. Florida : TV/Streaming Info, Keys to the Game, and Predictions

Published

2 years ago

January 5, 2024

Kentucky Wildcats guard Antonio Reeves celebrates after a score.

It’s 2024, and the Kentucky Wildcats will start the new year by opening SEC play against the Florida Gators in their first true road game of the season in Gainesville this Saturday.

The Wildcats enter conference play with a 10-2 record, while Florida enters with a 10-3 record. It’s not just the records that are similar between the two teams, as they play a similar pace and style.

Kentucky is 21st in possessions per game, averaging nearly 77 per contest, while Florida is just one spot behind in 22nd.

Additionally, both move the ball extremely well, ranking in the top 30 in the country, and both rank 50th (UK) and 57th (UF) in KenPom defensive efficiency. That said, there are some differences as Kentucky attempts three more 3s per game and Florida attempts to create more contact and averages more than seven more free throws per game.

Let’s take a look at the matchup.

Rebounding

Florida is the best rebounding team in the country, averaging more than 45 per game while outrebounding their opponents by an average of 11 per game. While Kentucky’s efforts have improved since adding 7-footers Aaron Bradshaw and Ugonna Onyenso back to the lineup, they have yet to reach the 40 mark in a single game.

That said, in their most recent game the Wildcats won by 26 against Illinois State, but they were also outrebounded and allowed 24 offensive rebounds, the most of the John Calipari era. In the performance, Bradshaw and Onyenso combined for just three rebounds, the same amount 6-foot-1 Rob Dillingham collected.

It is worth noting that Adou Thiero missed the game vs. Illinois State due to soreness but is expected to play this week. Thiero is second on the team in rebounding at 5.6 per contest, so having him back will be a big boost in that department.

While Florida’s rebounding efforts are led by big man Tyrese Samuel, each player is disciplined and is looking to grab the rebound. The Wildcats have been working on rebounding drills since the Illinois State game, as John Calipari has made it a big emphasis during Camp Cal.

Hopefully, a difference can be seen in the week since, highlighted by Bradshaw and Onyenso stepping up in a bigger way.

Hit Outside Shots

Kentucky’s defense has not been great this season, but neither have the Gators. Florida’s biggest vulnerability is the 3-point shot, which is fortunate given that is where the Wildcats get more than a third of their points from.

The Gators allow their opponents to shoot over 34% from deep. This Wildcat team is making its case for the best shooting team of the Calipari era, as they take the second-best 3-point shooting percentage in the country into conference play, 41.6%.

In both of Kentucky’s losses, they have shot less than 32% from 3. Against a team that gives up the three, in a difficult environment, the Wildcats must convert on their opportunities.

Create Turnovers

Florida is 11th in the country in points, but their offensive efficiency is hurt by their inability to take care of the call, turning the ball over more as the second-most rate in the SEC, more than 13.5 times per game.

In comparison, Kentucky has only turned the ball over more than 13 times once, 14 times in a 34-point win against Stonehill.

Florida guards Walter Clayton Jr and Riley Kugel account for nearly half of the team’s turnovers, so look for the Kentucky backcourt to be aggressive.

Opposing Players to Watch

G Walter Clayton Jr, 6-2, 195 lbs

15.2 PPG (11th in SEC)
3.8 RPG
3.3 APG
45.7% FG

F Tyrese Samuel, 6-10, 239 lbs

14.3 PPG
8.8 RPG (3rd in SEC)
64.6% FG (leads SEC)

G Zyon Pullin, 6-4, 206 lbs

14.1 PPG
5.0 APG (leads SEC)
3.5 RPG
42.9% 3P (T-12th SEC)

Kentucky Wildcats Basketball vs. Florida Gators

Date: January 6th, 2024
Time: 12:30 pm ET
Location: Exactech Arena at Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL

TV Channel: ESPN
Announcers: Dan Shulman and Jay Bilas
Online Stream: WatchESPN and the ESPN app.
Radio: Tom Leach and Jack Givens have the UK radio call on the UK Sports Radio Network.
Replay: WatchESPN and the SEC Network (check local listings).
Rosters: UK | FLA
Stats to Know: UK | FLA
KenPom: UK | FLA
Odds: DraftKings has Kentucky favored by a point as of Friday afternoon. ESPN’s matchup predictor gives the Cats a 38.3% chance to win. Bart Torvik has it at 41%, while EvanMiya has the game as a tossup, 50.1%-49.9%. KenPom is at 52%. Kentucky is currently 7-3 against the spread, while Florida is 5-4-1.

Predictions: Bart Torvik and Haslametrics both have Kentucky losing, 88-86 and 89-88, respectively. EvanMiya couldn’t predict a winner with an 83.2-83.2 projection. KenPom is projecting an 86-85 victory, Kentucky!
Also published on A Sea of Blue.

BB Recruiting

James Madison Transfer Justin McBride to Visit Kentucky on Tuesday

Published

1 day ago

April 17, 2026

Tristan Pharis

Kentucky will host James Madison transfer James McBride for a visit on Tuesday, after communicating with Mark Pope and the staff via Zoom video call.

James Madison Athletics

While much of the attention in the transfer portal goes to the top targets, you need to build a full roster. Still with starting spots to be claimed, Kentucky also looking at depth pieces. The most recent, James Madison transfer Justin McBride.

After talking to the staff this week via Zoom video call, McBride is scheduled to take a visit to Lexington on Tuesday.

A three-star transfer, ranked 201st overall according to 247Sports, McBride is being recruited by multiple power conference teams including Baylor and Cal, as well as SEC foes Mississippi State and Ole Miss.

Out of high school, McBride was a four-star recruit, ranked in the top 150 nationally.

“He is a versatile player who has that IT factor about him. You can tell by the passion he plays with that there is a huge chip on his shoulder,” 247Sports asked program director Vonzell Thomas said as he evaluated McBride out of high school. “What I like about his game is his will to win. He does whatever it takes to win and not every kid has that mentality.”

From Texas, McBride committed to Oklahoma State over the likes of Kansas and Arkansas, where he played alongside former Wildcat Bandon Garrison. There, he appeared in just 24 games, averaging just over five minutes per game.

Seeking a larger role, McBride entered the transfer portal and dropped to the mid-major level, committing to Nevada. With the Wolfpack he nearly tripled both his minutes and production, averaging 7.8 points and 4.2 rebounds in just under 20 minutes per game. His most recent stop, James Madison this past season, McBride had a breakout year, averaging 15.3 points and 5.6 rebounds on 40 percent shooting from deep.

Entering his senior season, the 6-7, 240 pound McBride is eyeing a jump back to the power conference level, prioritizing fit at his next stop.

Will that be Kentucky?

McBride has good size and athleticism, and has an inside-out style of game. Meaning he can work his away around the paint, but can also space the floor with his shooting, grading fairly well as a catch and shoot guy. Overall, he ranks in the 97th percentile in scoring volume. That said, there is come consistency to be lacked on the defensive side.

BB Recruiting

Multiple Transfers Meet With Kentucky on Wednesday

Published

1 week ago

April 8, 2026

Tristan Pharis

The transfer portal is active, and Zoom stock is going up as college coaches are video chatting around the clock to build their rosters, including Kentucky.

On Wednesday, Mark Pope and the Kentucky staff added three more names to the Zoom list.

Alex Wilkins (Guard, Furman), 4⭐️, 46th-ranked transfer

Class: Sophomore
Physicals: 6-5, 175 lbs
Last season averages: 17.8 PPG, 4.7 APG, 46% FG, 32.8% 3P

An underrated prospect coming out of high school, Wilkins splashed on the scene this year at Furman. As a freshman, he led his team to the NCAA Tournament, averaging 17.8 points and 4.7 assists and earning second team All-SoCon honors.

There were few players as critical to their team’s success as Wilkins, leading the SoCon in possession usage (34.4%) and shot usage (31.7%). That does lend some explanation to his poor shooting splits and turnover concerns (3.8 turnovers per game).

A quick, wirey guard, Wilkins is a capable scorer at all three levels, and can create for his teammates. However, he needs to add some muscle for power conference competition, and needs to have more consistent effort on the defensive end.

A freshman, those are both correctable things.

Isaac Celiscar (Forward, Yale), 4⭐️, 84th-ranked transfer

Class: Junior
Physicals: 6-6, 210 lbs
Last season averages: 13.2 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3.2 APG, 57.3% FG, 40.7% 3P

Isaac Celiscar is one of the most efficient, versatile players in the transfer portal.

The first takeaway, averaging 13.2 point per game with 57.3 percent shooting, he is extremely efficient on limited opportunities. Shooting nearly 41 percent from deep, he is a threat from deep as well. That efficiency carries over to his passing, as he averages more than three assists per game, on just 1.3 turnovers per game.

Celiscar grades out as a glue-guy with great offensive skills and good feel for the game, but he does have limitations in terms of his athleticism and shot creation.

Jalen Cox (Guard, Colgate), 3⭐️ , 149th-ranked transfer

Class: Senior
Physicals: 6-3, 180 lbs
Last season averages: 17.9 PPG, 5.3 APG, 5.0 RPG, 52.1% FG, 36.5% 3P

Jalen Cox is the lowest ranked player Kentucky has reached out to, but the Wildcats need depth and Cox is a experienced guard with proven production.

Averaging 17.9 points and 5.3 assists (2.0+ assist-to-turnover ratio) per game on 52 percent shooting from the field, Cox is a versatile and efficient offensive player. He has also multiple conference All-Defense selections too, making him a two way player.

The biggest concern with Cox is his athletic ceiling and how that translates to power conference competition. However an experienced two way player is a great rotation piece.

BB Recruiting

Top Five Transfer Paulius Murauskas Moves Up Call, Talks With Kentucky on Wednesday

Published

2 weeks ago

April 8, 2026

Tristan Pharis

Kentucky met with Saint Mary's transfer Paulius Muruaskas, one of the top forwards in the transfer portal, on Wednesday and is looking to schedule a visit for him to come to Lexington.

Saint Mary's Athletics

Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats are as busy as anyone in the transfer portal. On Wednesday, they met with their biggest fish of this transfer portal cycle so far, Paulius Murauskas.

Originally scheduled for Thursday, the Wildcats met with Murauskas via Zoom video call on Wednesday, per source.

Currently ranked 4th overall in 247Sports transfer rankings, the top-ranked forward, Murauskas is the prototypical modern basketball player. Good size at 6-foot-8, 235 pounds, with the ability to create for himself and others, has a good handle, and overall good feel for the game.

Murauskas started his collegiate career at Arizona after some professional experience in Lithuania. Playing just five minutes per game with the Wildcats as a freshman, Murauskas transferred to Saint Mary’s, where he has flourished and earned All-Conference honors the last two seasons.

This past season, Murauskas averaged 18.4 points and 7.6 rebounds, on 48.2 percent shooting from the field and 33.3 percent from deep. As for his weaknesses, he is not super athletic, and he does need to be more consistent with his shot.

Originally thought to follow former Saint Mary’s head coach Randy Bennett to Arizona State, Murauskas is exploring all options. Following the Zoom, Kentucky is trying to get him on campus for a visit in the near future.