Men's Basketball

Kentucky vs Florida Round 2: TV/Streaming Info and Keys to the Game

Published

3 years ago

February 21, 2023

After defeating a No. 10 ranked Tennessee Volunteer team over the weekend, the Kentucky Wildcats have given themselves some cushion and are off the bubble for the time being. With an away game against Florida on Wednesday, the Wildcats will have the opportunity to add another quad-one win to their resume.

With a win, Kentucky would not only solidify themselves into the tournament even further, but could start climbing up the seed list. This is in part to a weak bubble that the Wildcats can take advantage of. On the other hand, Wednesday’s game is a must-win for Florida, as it is their last remaining quad-one game, and their last chance to keep their tournament hopes alive.

Given what is at stake for each team, let’s take a closer look at the game.

Injuries

The Wildcats have some familiarity with the Gators as they played them once before this season, back in early February, beating them 72-67 at Rupp Arena. In the weeks since that game, both teams have changed, primarily due to injuries.

Since their first meeting, Kentucky has lost CJ Fredrick (cracked rib) Sahvir Wheeler (high ankle sprain). Little information has been given regarding their injuries, nor has a timetable been set for either. While Fredrick and Wheeler are impactful, that is nothing compared to Florida’s loss.

In a win against Ole Miss, Gator big man Colin Castleton broke his hand, likely ending his season. Castleton’s 16 points and 7.7 boards will be difficult to replace, but his impact on the floor will be impossible to replicate. The Florida offense and defense were anchored by Castleton, with him no longer there, they will have to rely on the combination of small-ball and backup fives.

Classic Oscar Tshiebwe Performance

As mentioned above, Colin Castleton is the biggest piece of this Florida team, and now without him, the whole complexion of the team has changed.

In three previous head-to-head matchups against Oscar Tshiebwe, Castleton averaged 22 and 8.7 rebounds, effectively having his way against the Wildcats. Maybe even more importantly, he was able to limit Tshiebwe with his length. Case in point, in their most recent matchup in early February, Tshiebwe shot just 2-14 from the field.

Without Castleton, the Gators still have size, but will have to rely on reserve big men Jason Jitoboh and Aleks Szymczyk. It should be noted they have played just one game without Castleton, but there is quite a bit of drop off, as the his replacements combined for 12 points and 8 rebounds in 44 total minutes.

This could mean a big game for Oscar Tshiebwe, who has scored fifteen points or more in three straight games. While he has performed well, it would be promising to see a vintage performance from the reigning National Player of the Year as the end the of the regular season nears.

Ball Screen Defense, Defensive Communication

For much of the season, Kentucky’s ballscreen defense has been their biggest weakness. This has been no secret and every opponent the Wildcats have played against have attempted to exploit it, with most having success.

On the season, about 20% of the Florida Gators offense is ballscreen based, which ranks amongst the highest in the SEC. One of the biggest things to watch for ‘2-man side’ and ‘3-man side’ action, which Florida will use to create movement toward the basket.

Despite being without their most versatile weapon, it is too late to change the offense significantly, so Kentucky should expect a lot of dribble hand-offs and ballscreens. With that said, they have shown slight improvements as of late – due to better communication and Livingston making a difference – and they must continue that trend to take care of business against Florida.

Kentucky Basketball (18-9) vs. Florida Gators (14-13)

Time/Date: 7:00 pm ET on Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023
Location: Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL
TV Channel: ESPN
Online Stream: WatchESPN, ESPN+, SEC Network+ or ESPN app
Radio: Tom Leach and Jack Givens have the UK radio network call on the UK Sports Radio Network.
Replay: WatchESPN and SEC Network (check local listings).
Rosters: UK | FLA
Team Sheets: UK | FLA
Stats To Know: UK | FLA

Odds: DraftKings Sportsbook has yet to release the odds. ESPN’s matchup predictor gives Kentucky an edge in a near toss-up, at 54.9 percent. Bart Torvik gives Kentucky a few more percentage points at 58 percent.

Predictions: Bart Torvik picks the Wildcats to win in a battle, 72-70.

Related Topics:Colin Castleton Florida Oscar Tshiebwe

BB Recruiting

James Madison Transfer Justin McBride to Visit Kentucky on Tuesday

Published

7 days 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

2 weeks 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.