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Kentucky Falls to South Carolina: Where Does Kentucky Basketball Go From Here?

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UK Athletics

After a 26-point point embarrassment on Saturday, the Kentucky Wildcats returned to Rupp Arena as a 20-points favorite to play the South Carolina Gamecocks, in what was expected to be a “pick-me-up” game.

However, that was far from the case.

The start of the game felt like a resumption of the blowout in Tuscaloosa as South Carolina built a 13-2 lead by the first media timeout. The lack of fight and effort was met with a lot of fan displeasure, as a noticeable amount of boos rang through the crowd.

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As the half progressed, Kentucky showed some life on the offensive end, led by Oscar Tshiebwe and Antonio Reeves, but failed to get consecutive stops on defense. As a result, the deficit was never really in danger and South Carolina entered the half with a 42-32 lead.

To start the second half, the Gamecocks picked up right where they left off and extended the lead to twelve with 13 minutes to go. As things started to look their bleakest, Kentucky fought back to cut the lead to just three. South Carolina answered with an 8-0 run to extend the lead back to double digits.

In a last-ditch effort, the Wildcats showed their most fight of the game and cut the lead to one after a CJ Fredrick three. However, it was all too late and Kentucky suffered one of the worst losses in recent memory, 71-68.

What went wrong?

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Poor Defense

Entering Tuesday night’s game, South Carolina came in ranked 251st in KenPom’s offensive efficiency rankings and 311th in points per game (64.3 ppg). Without that background and their burgundy jerseys, you would have thought they were the Golden State Warriors.

On the game, South Carolina was 11-19 (57.9%) from three, including Meechie Johnson who hit six threes of his own. This mark was the Gamecock’s best percentage from three on the season, besting their second-best mark by more than 10 percent (45.5%).

This isn’t a testament to an improving South Carolina offense, but rather a testament to Kentucky’s defensive struggles. Against power five opponents, the Wildcats are allowing more than 75 points per game and there appears to be little hope that will improve.

Rebounding Battle

Under John Calipari, Kentucky has consistently been a good rebounding team, and even more so with Oscar Tshiebwe on the roster. However, the Wildcats were on the losing end of the rebounding battle on Tuesday.

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It is cliché, but South Carolina was simply the tougher team, and it showed as they out-rebounded the Wildcats 32-28. Of those rebounds, fifteen came on the offensive end which led to 21 second-chance points, preventing Kentucky from ever building any momentum.

Where does Kentucky go from here?

Kentucky needed to win, and win big, to regain a sense of optimism. Instead, they lost by three to a South Carolina team that is arguably the worst in the SEC.

While a 26-point loss at Alabama was embarrassing, this game feels like rock bottom of the John Calipari era. It’s January, halfway through the season, and this team has only regressed. No longer will fans be patient when little hope has been given.

With fifteen regular season SEC games remaining, Kentucky is no closer to finding answers. Yet, with a backloaded SEC schedule, things could get even worse.

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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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