Men's Basketball

Kentucky vs. Louisville: Postgame Notes and Game MVP

Published

2 years ago

January 3, 2023

UK Athletics

With both fan and team morale very low, Kentucky basketball was in desperate need of a convincing win on Saturday, and that is exactly what happened as they played the Louisville Cardinals.

Coming out of the gates, Kentucky had a near-perfect start. Starting with back-to-back threes from Chris Livingston and Cason Wallace, the Wildcats started 5-6 from the field. Less than three minutes in, Kentucky had captured a 12-2 lead, forcing Kenny Payne to call a timeout.

For much of the first half, the lead hovered around 10 points, led by Jacob Toppin and Cason Wallace who combined for 25 of Kentucky’s 45 first-half points. Oscar Tshiebwe also recorded another double-double after the first twenty minutes, with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Louisville entered the second half with a 45-32 deficit but responded with 5 quick points to cut the lead to single digits. On the defensive end, the Cardinals adjusted to a zone defense which slowed down Kentucky’s scoring.

However, Kentucky responded well and was able to extend the lead to 27 at its highest. In the end, the Wildcats won 86-63, winning their first game over the Cardinals since 2019.

Let’s take a closer look.

Improved Energy

One of the criticisms of this year’s team has been a lack of consistent energy. However, that was not a problem on Saturday.

To start the game, Kentucky’s energy looked noticeably different. On the floor, the offense was fluid and their defense was active, as they jumped out to a quick double-digit lead in less than three minutes.

In Monday’s press conference, Sahvir Wheeler said that was a point of emphasis and credited the bench for providing that energy and “setting the tone”.

Sahvir Wheeler on the bench energy for #Kentucky:

"That's something we've been emphasizing." #BBN pic.twitter.com/LwHZ1h6MTS— Mitch Brown FOX 56 (@MitchBTV_) January 2, 2023

This team still has its struggles to fight through, but their response against Louisville shows that they are willing to fight to fix them.

Smaller Rotation

Following the loss to Missouri on Wednesday, John Calipari talked about how some of the issues the team is facing may be due to personnel, suggesting that lineup changes are needed.

“We have to step up to the plate and maybe play less people,” Calipari said. On Saturday, he held true to his word, as only six Wildcats recorded double-digit minutes, with four recording over thirty minutes.

Following the game, John Calipari confirmed this was intentional and was an attempt to play more “deliberate”. “I got upset with a couple guys when we were playing deliberate, you didn’t have something and you turned it over, or why did you do that, we’re not playing that way.”

Pure Domination Over Louisville

Even when Louisville is bad, it is enjoyable for Kentucky to get a win in the rivalry. On Saturday, they won in dominating fashion, holding the advantage in all but two major statistical categories (FT percentage and blocks).

Winning a game in the fashion they did will hopefully boost team confidence going forward as the Wildcats enter conference play.

Game MVP: Jacob Toppin

Prior to the season, Jacob Toppin was asked if there was a game that he was most looking forward to this season. His answer, “the Louisville game,” and he did not disappoint.

After nearly a month of not scoring more than five points, Toppin responded in a big way, finishing with a career-high 24 points on a highly efficient 10-15 from the field.

Toppin’s play at the four also allowed the Kentucky offense to be much more efficient as a whole, scoring 83 points on a season-high 60 percent field goal percentage. If Toppin can use this game and find a way to consistently contribute 10-15 points per game, it will make solving other offensive issues much easier.

Men's Basketball

Kentucky Basketball’s Practice Facility Sees Major Makeover

The Joe Craft Center, after years of casual criticism from Wildcats fans, has finally been given an upgrade.

Published

14 hours ago

June 21, 2025

Lane Mills

UK Athletics

Maybe the weirdest qualm of many that plagued John Calipari’s tenure at Kentucky were the consistent complaints about the team’s practice facility, the Joe Craft Center.

From exaggerated rumors about leaks in the ceiling to general observations made about the court and facilities, fans, especially towards the end of that era, pointed to the Craft Center’s age as one of many signs of the times. Even in spite of occasional, supposed changes now and again.

In only his second year, Mark Pope has seemingly already addressed that complaint — at least to an extent.

The official Kentucky men’s basketball account recently posted a video across all social media platforms of the team during summer practice, featuring and obviously removed Craft Center court.

The court itself has been redone, in addition to the graphics and banners on the wall. Alongside the hanging threads celebrating the program’s eight national championships, a ninth one has been tacked onto the end.

It simply reads: “#9 – The Assignment.” If fans weren’t already excited enough for Coach Pope’s sophomore season, a ninth title banner being fixed in the renovation’s spotlight should send folks through the roof.

It may seem like a small thing, but given the program’s track record in the last few years, it’s the small things that feel the biggest. Mark Pope not only understands the assignment, but he’s making sure his team does, too.

Men's Basketball

Jasper Johnson Makes Final U19 USA Roster Under Coach Mark Pope

Jasper Johnson has advanced in the U19 USA camp for the second time alongside the nation’s best recruits, and under Mark Pope’s wing.

Published

1 day ago

June 20, 2025

Lane Mills

Instagram: @bruhjasperj (UK Athletics)

In a surprisingly relevant development smack dab in the middle of the offseason, Jasper Johnson has yet again advanced in the pool of players participating in the USA U19 camp.

The program, which could be a described as a sort of extension of the Team USA that just took home the gold in 2024, is comprised of some of the nation’s most anticipated talents set to take collegiate courts in the next couple of seasons.

Blue Gets In

Among them is Kentucky native and commit Johnson, and was also incoming Cat Malachi Moreno, before the latter was cut as a result of a mild injury he obtained throughout the camp’s course. Despite Moreno’s exit, his future teammate continues to impress.

Under the wing of Coach Mark Pope, who’s helmed the team in the camp up to this point, Johnson has now made the final cut after multiple roster slashes – he and only 11 other players remain in the minority that will go forward to actually compete for the team in the 2025 FIBA U19 Men’s World Cup, which will take place June 28 through July 6 in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The pre-competition camp serves not only as a trial of play before these athletes disperse to their own respective rosters this fall and next, but for Johnson, as a preview of what it’s like to play under Coach Pope. If his current success is any indicator, Kentucky fans may be in for something special when the pair tackle opposing teams together for the blue and white.

In similar noteworthy news, also attending the event are Taylen Kinney and Tyran Stokes, two Kentucky-born athletes with ties to Kentucky that the program is heavily recruiting. Jasper’s strong performance, combined with Coach Pope’s presence, can only help the Wildcats’ chances on that front, too.

To say the least, Mark Pope has found a way to facilitate Kentucky’s influence far beyond the boundaries of Lexington. He and Johnson, for the time being, will continue to press turn heads on the national stage, and it’s very likely that fans aren’t the only ones paying attention.

Men's Basketball

Archie Goodwin and Kahlil Whitney Set to Join La Familia This Summer

La Familia continues to add more firepower to the 2025 roster.

Published

2 days ago

June 19, 2025

Kai McClelland

James Crisp (Left), Adam Hunger (Right) | Associated Press

As the start of the 2025 TBT Tournament inches closer, La Familia has been slowly but surely adding star Wildcats to the roster.

Usually, we see announcements for new additions to the squad roll out on social media in some form, whether it be a post from La Familia’s official accounts or in form of Ansley Almonor’s announcement, which took place on BBN Tonight.

However, this time, Archie Goodwin and Kahlil “The Dragon” Whitney were added to the roster on the TBT website without any announcement, surprising Big Blue Nation as the news leaked and began to circulate.

They were removed from the website afterwards, but as of Thursday, June 19, appear on the website as listed members of the roster.

Goodwin has been an active member for years, highlighted by his semifinals appearance last year where he averaged 13.8 points per game en route.

Whitney is a name that may cause some to shed a tear, with so much potential surrounding the former five-star leading up to his debut. Ultimately, he left the program after appearing in just 18 games for Kentucky.

La Familia is competitive as all get out, shown by chippy play with guys who have nothing to lose but everything to win for the place they call home. Goodwin and Whitney, now added to that list of guys, will look to redeem themselves with one goal in mind. Win.

The official La Familia roster as of June 19:

– Willie Cauley-Stein (2012-15)

– Doron Lamb (2010-12)

– DeAndre Liggins (2008-11)

– Aaron Harrison (2013-15)

– Andrew Harrison (2013-15)

– Ansley Almonor (2024-25)

– Archie Goodwin (2012-13)

– Kahlil Whitney (2019-20)