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Men's Basketball

Kentucky vs. LSU: TV Info, Things to Know, and Predictions

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UK Athletics

Last week was a mixed week for the Kentucky Wildcats. After an embarrassing performance at Missouri, Kentucky responded well against Louisville, looking much sharper. As the Wildcats continue to try and right the ship, they will take on the LSU Tigers in Rupp Arena on Tuesday.

The Tigers have had a unique season of their own. Under the direction of former Murray State head coach, Matt McMahon, LSU is off to an 11-1 record, tied with Missouri for the best record in the conference.

Also similarly to Missouri, LSU has played an easy schedule, playing just three teams ranked in the top 125 in KenPom. With that said, they did just beat a top-10-ranked Arkansas team to open up SEC play.

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Which version of LSU will Kentucky get? We will find out.

Let’s take a closer look at the matchup.

Make the Best of Offensive Opportunities

LSU is a defensive first-team and as proof, the Tigers have held both of their top 50 opponents to 61 points or less. This doesn’t bold well for a Kentucky offense that has struggled at times this season.

On a positive note, Kentucky is coming off arguably their best offensive performance of the season. Against Louisville, they notably had better execution and ball movement which led to their second 80+ point scoring output since November.

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On Tuesday, the Wildcats will play a disciplined LSU defense, giving up just 15 free throws per game, and also focus on limiting perimeter shooting, as their opponents shoot just 27.6 percent.

Expect the Tigers to play a mix of man and zone, but the scoring opportunities will be there, especially if Cason Wallace and Sahvir Wheeler can take advantage of driving lanes and they can continue to use effective ball screens.

To carry the offensive momentum, the Wildcats are going to have to take advantage of the opportunities they are given.

Limit KJ Williams and Adam Miller

Two players combine for nearly half of LSU’s points on average, KJ Williams (18.5 ppg) and Adam Miller (13 ppg).

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Shooting just 37 percent from the field, Miller is far from efficient but with high volume. Fortunately for Kentucky, they have two good defensive guards in Cason Wallace and Sahvir Wheeler that can limit Miller even further.

However, Williams poses a much more difficult challenge. Averaging 18.5 points per contest, Williams is the second-leading scorer in the SEC and is the type of player that Kentucky has had problems with this season – big and versatile.

Just last week, Kobe Brown of Missouri scored 30 points against Kentucky, scoring from inside and out. If Jacob Toppin and the rest of the Wildcat frontcourt can step up and limit Williams, Kentucky will have a great chance for the win.

Limit Offensive Rebounding

Looking at LSU’s rebounding statistics on the season, nothing jumps off the page. However, against Arkansas, the Tigers completely dominated the boards with a 62-30 advantage, including 23 on the offensive glass – scoring 22 points off of.

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The Tigers do shoot above average from the field, but have also won games solely off of extra possessions (i.e. Arkansas). Kentucky must bring the physicality to win the battle of the boards, and keep LSU to ‘one-and-done’.

Still “Coming Together”?

One of the themes for the Wildcats after the Louisville game was “coming together.” This was echoed by John Calipari and the players in their postgame interviews.

It is easier for a team to come together against one of the worst teams in the country. However, the LSU game provides the chance for Kentucky to fight and come together against a quality SEC opponent.

Kentucky Basketball vs. LSU Tigers

Time/Date: 8:00 pm ET on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023.
Location: Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY
TV Channel: ESPN
Announcers: TBA
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: SEC Network (check local listings).
Rosters: UK | LSU
Team SheetsUK | LSU
Stats To Know: UK | LSU

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Odds: The betting odds have yet to be released for this game. ESPN’s matchup predictor gives the Wildcats an 86.8% chance of winning, while Bart Torvik gives Kentucky a slightly lower advantage at 81%, and KenPom has it at 83%.

PredictionsBart Torvik picks the Wildcats in a 71-63 victory. KenPom projects a 74-63 victory, Kentucky!

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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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