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Men's Basketball

Kentucky vs Kentucky State: TV/Streaming Info and Things to Watch

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Kentucky Wildcats guard Rob Dillingham (0) celebrates a basket during the second half against the Georgetown Tigers at Rupp Arena.
© Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

After beating Georgetown College 92-69 last week, the Kentucky Wildcats will have one more exhibition to prepare for the regular season, which is less than a week away. On Thursday, the Wildcats will take on the Kentucky State Thoroughbreds, a Division II, historically black college from Frankfort. This will be the fourth preseason exhibition played between the two teams, all taking place since 2015.

Unlike, another D1 program in this state (cough… cough… Louisville), don’t expect Kentucky to lose on Thursday, but it is an opportunity to get better and get more on-court experience and chemistry.

Let’s take a look.

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First Game Jitters Gone

Coming out of the gate against Georgetown, Kentucky’s freshmen looked to have excitement, but lacked aggression, which resulted in a poor shooting night for some of them and some first-half struggles. Between Justin Edwards, Reed Sheppard, and DJ Wagner, the trio combined for 7-25 (28%) from the field. That said, each player still did something good. Edwards showed his versatility. Sheppard showed how he can impact the game without scoring. Wagner showed his ability to get downhill and get into the lane. The one exception was Rob Dillingham, who played well all around and continues to impress.

With their first game at Rupp Arena now behind them, I would expect a much better performance this time out. Given their mentality and competitiveness, they don’t want to put up two straight so-so performances. This is also a great confidence-boosting opportunity ahead of the season.

Shot Selection

Part of Kentucky’s struggles in the first half was due to poor shot selection. As Adam Stratton of Kentucky Sports Radio pointed out, the Wildcats reverted to a bad habit, shooting the mid-range shot.

Last season, Kentucky shot 24.6 percent of their two-point shots beyond 10 feet. In the first half against Georgetown, the Wildcats shot nine (making just two) of their 37 field goal attempts from midrange, making up 24.3 percent of their shots, a very similar percentage to last season. Now, in the second half, that number decreased to 10.8 percent.

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On Thursday, it will be interesting to see if Kentucky reverts back to those shots, which the defense is intentionally giving up, or continues to make the push toward modern basketball with more efficient shots and better spacing.

Run, Run, Run

Still early in the season, there are not a lot of details in Kentucky’s offense thus far. In last week’s exhibition, there were some basic dribble-drive principles, with excellent spacing given the smaller lineups being played. That said, it’s hard to invest too much into an offensive philosophy when the team is going to look different when three seven-footers are brought into the lineup.

That said, one area where this team can really shine is in transition. With guards that can get downhill (Wagner and Dillingham), shooting threats (Reeves, Sheppard, and even Mitchell), and lob/cut threats like Edwards and Bradshaw (when he returns), Kentucky has a plethora of options to play with. It starts with turnovers, rebounds, and 50/50 balls. So look for the Wildcats to get into passing lanes, crash the boards, and get on the floor.

Kentucky Basketball vs. Kentucky State

Time/Date: 7:00 pm ET on Thursday, November 2nd, 2023
Location: Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY
TV Channel: Not available, streaming only
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 | KSU

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Also published A Sea of Blue.

Men's Basketball

Jaxson Robinson Still Pursuing NBA Opportunity After Going Undrafted

A late-season wrist injury derailed Robinson’s draft hopes, but the former Kentucky guard could still carve out a professional path.

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Chet White | UK Athletics

Injuries suck.

Nearly three days after the conclusion of the 2025 NBA Draft, former Kentucky Wildcat Jaxson Robinson remains an undrafted free agent.

Robinson followed Mark Pope from BYU to Kentucky, but his 2024-25 season ended prematurely after he sustained a wrist injury that ultimately required surgery in early March.

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The injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for both Robinson and the Wildcats. In 24 games, he averaged 13.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 28.1 minutes per game. He shot 46.2% from the field and 45.7% from 3-point range in SEC play.

Simply put, he was hooping.

Big Blue Nation will always wonder “what if” when it comes to Robinson’s health entering the NCAA Tournament — and what Kentucky missed in his absence. The same goes for Robinson. What if he had been able to play a key role in a deep March run? What would that have done for his draft stock? Could he have become a star?

We’ll never know. But one thing is certain: injuries suck.

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Whoever decides to take a chance on Robinson will be getting a high-level shooter with a 7-foot wingspan and solid athleticism. He first earned attention from NBA scouts as the Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year at BYU. That season, he also received honorable mention All-Big 12 honors, averaging 14.2 points per game off the bench and helping BYU reach the NCAA Tournament.

Before transferring to BYU in 2022, Robinson began his college career at Texas A&M, where he played in 14 games as a true freshman and averaged 2.6 points. He then transferred to Arkansas, appearing in 16 games with four starts and averaging 3.4 points per game.

Despite his experience and talent, the veteran guard remains on the market. He won’t be joining Koby Brea and Amari Williams as Kentucky’s selections in the 2025 NBA Draft, but he could still find his place in the league, possibly joining fellow undrafted teammates Lamont Butler (Atlanta Hawks) and Andrew Carr (Portland Trail Blazers), who have already signed deals.

Had it not been for his late-season wrist injury, it’s likely Robinson would have heard his name called on draft night.

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But life works in mysterious ways. And who knows — maybe this is a blessing in disguise for the beginning of Robinson’s professional career.

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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.

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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 No. 41 by the Phoenix Suns 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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