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Men's Basketball

Kentucky vs. Missouri: TV/Streaming Info, Keys to the Game, and Predictions

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Antonio Reeves celebrates with Kentucky Wildcats fans at Rupp Arena.
© Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

The Kentucky Wildcats started the new year and SEC play with an impressive road victory against the Florida Gators, against much adversity. On Tuesday, the Wildcats will return to action against the Missouri Tigers, who have gotten the best of Kentucky in two of the last three seasons. Given the comments from Missouri (both public and private), I would say this is one Kentucky’s staff will be motivated to win.

This year’s Missouri team lost eight players from last season’s roster, including their four top leading scorers. With an 8-6 record, the Tigers’ best win has come against (according to the NET rankings) Pittsburgh, who is ranked 195th in KenPom.

That said, Missouri shoots and makes a lot of threes, top three in the SEC in both categories this season, and any team in the SEC is capable of winning if you come in ill-prepared. Let’s take a look at the matchup.

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Perimeter Defense

It feels like opposing teams shoot an unreal percentage from three in Rupp Arena, but on the season opponents are shooting just 31.2 percent in Rupp for the year. This is right in line with the 31 percent they have allowed this season thus far, ranked 75th nationally.

That said, Missouri has attempted the second-most threes in the SEC this season and will hoist plenty more on Tuesday. With three guards all averaging double-figures and shooting 40%+ from three, including two shooting 50%+, the Wildcats need to close out on shooters.

Take Care of the Ball

Taking care of the ball is been a signature of this year’s Kentucky team, averaging just 9.4 per game and 14th nationally. However, to start the game against Florida, they had seven turnovers just in the first half.

Against Missouri, who often aggressively uses a 1-3-1 zone defense to create pressure and force mistakes, the Wildcats must make sound, but quick passes. The Wildcats have performed well against zone this season, so it will be interesting to see how often Missouri will turn to this.

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Make Free Throws

Missouri’s defense isn’t great, but they don’t give up things easily, particularly at the rim. The Tigers rank top 10 nationally in blocks per game, but also fouls at the second-highest rate in the SEC behind Alabama.

Penetration being a key part of Kentucky’s offense, they will get chances to kick it back out for open looks, but also free throws. This has been one of Calipari’s better free throw shooting teams at Kentucky, shooting 73.4 percent. However, they did miss several 1-and-1’s against Florida.

Opposing Players to Watch

G Sean East II, 6-3, 180 lbs

  • 17.1 PPG (5th in SEC)
  • 3.9 APG (T-5th in SEC)
  • 55.4% FG (3rd in SEC)
  • 53.8% 3P (2nd in SEC)

G Tamar Bates, 6-5, 195 lbs

  • 10.2 PPG
  • 53.3% FG (4th in SEC)
  • 53.1% 3P (3rd in SEC)

F Noah Carter, 6-6, 235 lbs

  • 11.5 PPG
  • 6.3 RPG

Kentucky Wildcats Basketball vs. Missouri Tigers

  • Date: January 9th, 2024
  • Time: 7:00 pm ET
  • Location: Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center in Lexington, Kentucky.
  • TV Channel: ESPN
  • Announcers: To be announced (ESPN Press Room).
  • Online Stream: WatchESPN and the ESPN app.
  • Radio: Tom Leach and Jack Givens have the UK radio call on the UK Sports Radio Network.
  • Replay: WatchESPN and the SEC Network (check local listings).
  • Rosters: UK | MIZZ
  • Stats to Know: UK | MIZZ
  • KenPom: UK | MIZZ
  • Odds: ESPN’s matchup predictor has a lot of confidence in the Cats, giving them an 88% chance at victory, which EvanMiya is also in agreement with. Bart Torvik has even more confidence in Kentucky, projecting a 91% shot at the win. Kentucky is currently 9-4 against the spread, while Florida is 4-10.
  • Predictions: All the projections are within just a few points of each other. Bart Torvik and Haslametrics choose Kentucky 88-73 and 88-74, respectively. EvanMiya projects an 88-75 win for Kentucky and.

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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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