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RECAP: Three Takeaways from Kentucky’s 90-77 win over the Missouri Tigers

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Rob Dillingham (0) reacts after being fouled during the second half against the Missouri Tigers at Rupp Arena.
© Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

Although the Missouri Tigers were able to keep it close in the first half as they only trailed 47-42 at the break, Kentucky would eventually break away and win 90-77 to move to 12-2 (2-0 in the SEC) on the season. Oddly enough, this is Kentucky’s first 2-0 start in conference play since the 9-16 COVID season (2020-21).

Here’s how the ‘Cats got the win over the Tigers.

DJ Wagner and Rob Dillingham Make for Dynamic Duo

It wouldn’t be a UK ball game if it weren’t for some of Kentucky’s elite freshmen making a massive impact on the outcome. After all, the one-and-done has worked so well for John Calipari that Coach K had to take a page out of his playbook. There are a plethora of guys who are capable of taking over and leading the Cats to victory. Tonight, those guys were DJ Wagner and Rob Dillingham.

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Wagner finished with 16 points on 5-8 shooting while dishing out three assists. For Kentucky, they went through a few stretches when it seemed like there was a lid on the basket. That’s when Wagner took over and did his thing. Time and time again, Calipari has been able to lean on the freshman when Kentucky is in desparation.

As for Dillingham, he finished with a season-high 23 points, going 6-7 (3-3 3PT) from the field. He also finished with two rebounds, assists, and steals respectively. While he did finish with four personal fouls and three turnovers, Dillingham proved his ability to stay resilient on the offensive end of the floor, which is enough to warrant his playing time.

Tre Mitchell Can Do It All, Continues to be a Leader

For the third time in the last four games, Tre Mitchell has recorded a double-double to lead Kentucky to victory. Against Missouri, Mitchell put up 20 points on 6-11 shooting while also grabbing 14 rebounds, which is a season-high for the fifth-year senior.

Mitchell’s versatility on the offensive end of the floor allowed Kentucky’s guards to get open shots and good looks. Which, in turn, resulted in five total players reaching double-digit points. Then, he also recorded three assists and two blocks, making an impact all over the floor.

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Against Florida, we saw that Mitchell was the vocal leader of this team, and part of that carried over to Tuesday’s win. If Kentucky is going to make a run in March, then Tre Mitchell will need to continue to assert himself as the alpha dog of this team.

Reed Sheppard Struggles to Get Going Offensively Against Tigers

Now, for the bad stuff.

While Reed Sheppard did finish with a team-high four assists and two steals, he did not have such a great game shooting the ball. The Kentucky freshman scored just three points, shooting just 1-4 from the field.

Despite Sheppard’s underwhelming performance, Kentucky was able to hold Missouri off and come away with the win. The ‘Cats seemingly had a three or four possession lead throughout the whole game, and that was enough for Kentucky to get a share of first place in the SEC. Let’s see if they can hold on to it.

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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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