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Men's Basketball

Kentucky vs. Georgia: Postgame Recap and Game MVP

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UK Athletics

Following their marquee win over Tennessee, the Kentucky Wildcats returned to Rupp Arena in a matchup against Georgia, and to prove they are turning the corner.

Despite having good looks, Kentucky started the game off slow once again, trailing 7-2 to begin the game. As the half went on, those shots began to fall, however, the main problem for the first half for the Cats’ was their defense. The Georgia offense was clearing out and driving on the Wildcats at will, or getting clear cuts to the basket. The Bulldogs’ guards combined to score 27 out of the 42 points for Georgia in the first half. Kentucky trailed 42-34 against Georgia at halftime.

The second half was a totally different story. Oscar Tshiebwe came out of the gates swinging, scoring eight straight points, which was capitalized by a three from CJ Fredrick, giving Kentucky a 46-45 lead. Georgia kept it close until the 8-minute mark, but Kentucky was able to pull away. The Wildcats outscored Georgia by 22 points in the half, led by a video game like performance from Tshiebwe, going on to win 85-71.

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Let’s take a closer look at the game.

Tale of Two Halves Defensively

After limiting Tennessee to a season-low in points (56), this team proved they are much better on defense than what they had shown. However, to start the game against Georgia, they reverted to old habits.

Unable to stay in front of the ball, Kentucky gave up way too many straight-line drives and cuts to the basket, which allowed Georgia to tie their season-high for points in a half (42). On the half, the Bulldogs were scoring an unreal 1.24 points per possession and shooting over 55 percent from the floor.

In the second half, the Wildcats tightened up defensively and increased their intensity. Their activeness is shown most with the 5 blocks and 6 steals in the second half alone. The improved defensive execution is what allowed to Kentucky to pull away, allowing just three made field goals in the last ten minutes.

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Going forward, the Wildcats cannot afford to continue to dig themselves into early deficits due to poor defense, as it will result in them dropping more games.

“The Lineup”

Against Tennesee, there was one lineup where Kentucky found the most success and that was with Wallace-Reeves-Fredrick-Toppin-Tshiebwe. Was it fool’s gold? No.

After not starting the game, Sahvir Wheeler entered the game and quickly had a steal and a pair of assists. However, he followed that up with two out-of-control drives and his size was being taken advantage of by the bigger and more physical guards that Georgia had.

In the second half, Wheeler played just one possession, as Cason Wallace took over point guard duties with the lineup referred to above. The result? The Wildcats scored 51 points and outscored Georgia by 22 points.

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Looking at the final box score, Wheeler had a -9 plus/minus – by far the lowest of the team -and played just 11 minutes. After two games, it is no longer a coincidence. Wheeler is one of the best playmakers in the country and can provide some good off the bench, but Kentucky has found their best five to help them succeed.

Game MVP: Oscar Tshiebwe, is he back?

Without a doubt, Oscar Tshiebwe was the MVP for Tuesday night’s game against the Georgia Bulldogs. Tshiebwe had a career-high 37 points and 24 rebounds during the game, with 23 points and 15 rebounds coming in the second half alone.

Unlike many teams, Georgia refused to double-team Tshiebwe in the post. This led to his explosion in points, primarily coming from post drives and putbacks. With Tshiebwe looking fully healthy following his knee surgery, and Calipari praising how Tshiebwe has gotten back in the gym, Kentucky fans could see Oscar continue to put up a dominant second half of the season.

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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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