Connect with us

Men's Basketball

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

Published

on

Jordan Burks goes up for a layup against Justin Edwards at Kentucky Basketball's annual Blue-White scrimmage.
UK Athletics | Tyler Ruth

As the weather gets colder and the leaves start to change, Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball season is nearly here.

With Big Blue Madness and the Blue-White game now behind us, the Wildcats will finally get the opportunity to play against someone other than themselves for the first time since July at GLOBL JAM, as they take on in-state Georgetown College in a preseason exhibition on Friday.

Coming off a successful season in 2023, which included a 24-4 regular season and an NAIA Final Four appearance in 2023, the Tigers will provide Kentucky with ample competition ahead of their season opener on November 6th.

Advertisement

Let’s take a look.

Experimentation

In the history of Kentucky basketball, the Wildcats have never lost an exhibition game to a non-professional team. In three exhibitions against Georgetown College, the Wildcats have won by an average of 39.3 points. So don’t expect Kentucky to lose on Friday, but do expect a lot of experimenting.

Kentucky hasn’t played an opponent since July at GLOBL. Since then, a little bit has changed. Kentucky has had nearly a full month of practice, added another seven-footer in Zvonimir Ivisic, the freshmen have matured more, and Rob Dillingham has added 20 pounds to his frame.

With that said, Friday’s exhibition likely won’t be extremely entertaining in terms of score, but it should be entertaining to see what the staff experiments with ahead of the season with lineups, actions, and more.

Advertisement
https://youtube.com/watch?v=L3lwR356n7o%3Frel%3D0%26start%3D3

Frontcourt

Less than two weeks out from the season opener, not one of Kentucky’s three seven-footers has appeared in any game action for fans to see. Aaron Bradshaw and Ugonna Onyenso are still recovering from foot injuries, while Zvonimir Ivisic is still awaiting on the NCAA to approve his eligibility while trying to make up ground in practice.

Given the lack of depth, look for Kentucky to continue to develop their small ball game plan and lineups, which will be beneficial early in the season while the bigs get up to speed. This will consist of a lot of Tre Mitchell, Jordan Burks, Adou Thiero, and Justin Edwards playing in the 4 and 5 spots, and in turn, a more modern playstyle.

While Kentucky doesn’t play a Power Five team until Kansas on November 14th, the Wildcat frontcourt will be tested in their season opener against New Mexico State, as they will match up against multiple bigs measuring 6-foot-10+. So with limited opportunities, it will be key to find ways to still be effective with limited size, specifically in rebounding and post-defense.

Antonio Threeves

In his last two games in the United States, Antonio Reeves has shot a combined 2-19 from three (1-10 vs Kansas State, 1-9 Blue-White game). That’s not good. However, Reeves did shoot an unreal 56.3 percent (18-32 3P) from three at GLOBL JAM in Canada this summer.

Advertisement

So, does Kentucky need to move this season’s games to Canada? No, but Reeves does need to take advantage of these confidence-building opportunities, especially as a shooter. Fortunately, Kentucky has the personnel this season not to be as reliant on Reeves, but he is certainly expected to carry a lot of the scoring load.

Another key to watch for in this game is Reeves’ defense. While he wasn’t terrible last year, it was far from being a strength, so he made it a point to improve on the defensive end this offseason.

Will be interesting to see if Reeves can shine on both ends of the floor Friday.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=fSWJlE3CSBw%3Frel%3D0

Given this is an exhibition, there are no official lines or predictions. However, given the talent disparity in this exhibition, expect Kentucky to win by 25+.

Advertisement

That said, at times in the past, Kentucky has gotten carried away with experimenting, only beating D2 Miles College by nine points in 2021.

And with Kentucky still down Aaron Bradshaw, Ugonna Onyenso, and likely Zvonimir Ivisic, don’t expect Kentucky to win by 50+, but it will still be fun to see most of that team finally face a real opponent at Rupp Arena, which is what matters most.

Kentucky Basketball vs. Georgetown Tigers

Time/Date: 7:00 pm ET on Friday, October 27th, 2023
Location: Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY
TV Channel: SEC Network
Online Stream : WatchESPNESPN+, 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 | GC

Advertisement

Men's Basketball

Amari Williams Selected No. 46 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.

Published

on

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Men's Basketball

Koby Brea Selected No. 41 by the Phoenix Suns in the 2025 NBA Draft

Published

on

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.

Advertisement

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!

Advertisement
Continue Reading

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.

Published

on

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.”

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

“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.”

Continue Reading

Trending