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Recap and Takeaways From Kentucky’s 90-77 Win Over Mississippi State

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Kentucky Wildcats forward Aaron Bradshaw (2) dunks the ball during the second half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Rupp Arena.
© Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

Kentucky’s offense was on point in Wednesday’s win against Mississippi State at Rupp Arena. Spreading the love offensively, a number of players put up double-figure scoring numbers. It also marked John Calipari’s 400th win at Kentucky.

Antonio Reeves led the way with 27 points. He had a very. efficient shooting night, going 8-12 from the field. Rob Dillingham added 16, Mitchell with 15, and Bradshaw with 11 to lead Kentucky as double-figure scorers.

Ball-Movement Leads to Offensive Firepower

Kentucky’s passing was terrific on Wednesday night, finishing with 20 assists. To lead that category, Reed Sheppard was making plays leading to dimes, as he finished with a team-high 6 assists. Back to spreading the love, the Cats made ball-movement a key point in getting good shots.

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To add to Sheppard’s team-high assists, Rob Dillingham had 4, Antonio Reeves and Tre Mitchell both notched 3, then DJ Wagner and Justin Edwards added 2 assists apiece. Making that extra pass is certainly not a difficulty for this Kentucky team.

Defense Struggles in Second Half After Strong First Half

Kentucky’s defense was holding up pretty well in the first half, only allowing Mississippi State to shoot 35%. Thanks to a 13-2 run towards the end of the half, Kentucky stretched out their lead to 16, and went on to lead by 18 at halftime.

In the second half, Mississippi State opened with a 14-2 run, cutting the Kentucky lead to 6. From then on, it was Kentucky’s offense pushing the pace, putting up 90 points. Kentucky allowed Mississippi State to shoot 52%, but the offensive performance made that irrelevant.

Antonio Reeves Displays Efficient Performance

Leading Kentucky in scoring, Antonio Reeves put up a very efficient performance against Mississippi State. Not only was the the team’s leading scorer with 27 points, but it was the way he scored it.

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Reeves was not just an efficient 8-12 from the field, but he was a perfect 9-9 from the free throw line. He added 4 rebounds and 3 assists to his impressive performance. He has proven to do more than just shooting this season, as he had 27 points with just 2 made threes.

The Cats advance to 13-3 overall and 3-1 in SEC play, and will be back in Rupp Arena on Saturday as they face Georgia at 6 p.m. ET on SEC Network.

Check out the box score and highlights from the win below.

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BB Recruiting

Five-Star Transfer Prospect, Former Alabama Crimson Tide Forward Commits to Kentucky

Mark Pope continues to build on an impressive class of transfers with a commitment from forward Mouhamed Dioubate.

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Five-star transfer Mouhamed Dioubate commits to Kentucky,
Alabama Athletics

Mark Pope has officially landed his third transfer commitment for the 2025-26′ season in the form of junior forward Mouhamed Dioubate.

The commitment was announced on X (Twitter) by Dioubate himself, along with a graphic and a blue and white heart:

Dioubate, who spent the last two seasons playing for Nate Oats and the Alabama Crimson Tide, entered the portal less than a week before his commitment to Kentucky. Coach Pope and staff clearly had a circle around his name from day one.

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The 6’7″ forward averaged seven points, six rebounds, and a block, steal and an assist per game in his sophomore season, scoring with an incredibly efficient 62%/46% shooting split. His three-point percentage, the latter of the two, rose an astronomical 37% between his first and second seasons. Dioubate can do it all and is why he is ranked as five-star transfer prospect by EvanMiya.

He’ll bring a much-needed brand of physicality and aggression to a roster that desperately needed it this past year, too, specializing in dunking would-be layups and giving nightmares to opposing offenses.

Dioubate will join forward Kam Williams and guard Jaland Lowe in what is shaping up to become one of the highest ranked classes in the country, and with more than two weeks of the portal remaining, he likely won’t be the last.

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Men's Basketball

‘Cats Seniors Send a Message to Transfer Players: “Go to Kentucky”

In lieu of a tough tournament loss, Kentucky seniors put the spotlight on future teams, urging players in the portal to come to Lexington.

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Seniors from Mark Pope's first team at Kentucky advertise transfer to play for Kentucky.
Elliott Hess | UK Athletics

With the Sweet 16 loss to Tennessee still an open wound, two of UK’s seniors put their pain aside to urge any and all potential prospects in the transfer portal to come to Kentucky.

“Can I say something?” asked Lamont Butler as his final press conference as a ‘Cat came to a close, “I think it’s really cool we were able to set the culture for Pope’s first year… the bar is gonna be set high for the next people who come under Pope.”

“It’s gonna be fun to watch, for sure.”

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Lamont Butler, in spite of his injuries, was the heart and soul of Mark Pope’s inaugural Kentucky roster all year long; a floor general on the court and a spirited leader off it.

Andrew Carr, his fellow senior, got his two cents in on the matter, too. “If you’re in the transfer portal and you’re looking for a spot to go, go to Kentucky,” he said, flexing the front of his jersey.”

“I’ll tell you that much. Go to Kentucky.”

For having only been in the blue and white for one season (less than a year), Butler, Carr, and the rest of this year’s senior class exhibit the same love for the name on the front of their jerseys as any of the decades-past alumni do.

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Pope’s first class will be remembered for many things, mostly positive, but few stand out like their love for Lexington and the Big Blue Nation. A great omen for transfers and incoming players, undoubtedly, as well as a testament to the magic under the hardwood in Rupp Arena.

Truly a tradition like no other.

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BB Recruiting

Top 20 Transfer Prospect Jaland Lowe Commits to Kentucky

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Pitt transfer Jaland Lowe has committed to Kentucky.
Pitt Athletics

It’s been a rollercoaster week in the transfer portal for Kentucky. We have seen San Diego State Magoon Gwath change his mind at the last minute at stay with the Aztecs, and top target Yaxel Lendeborg commit to Michigan while remaining in the draft.

On Saturday morning, the Wildcats got their second commit of the portal season, Pitt transfer Jaland Lowe.

KY Insider reported on Thursday that the staff was recruiting other players with the prospect of playing with Lowe.

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Lowe was a top 100 recruit out of high school, committing to Jeff Capel and the Panthers. After two successful seasons in Pittsburgh, Lowe is a 4-star, top-20 transfer prospect (EvanMiya). He becomes the highest ranked commit for the Cats thus far.

In Lowe’s sophomore campaign last season, he averaged 16.8 PPG, 5.5 APG, and 4.2 RPG. As a playmaker, there are not many better, with an assist percentage of 31.2 percent. Some might see his shooting slits of 37.6% FG and 26.6% 3P and worry. While they are not great, he had to carry a lot of the burden on offense, with a usage rate of 30%.

Lowe will come to Kentucky with two years of eligibility remaining and will join Kam Williams in the ‘Cats portal class thus far.

Scouting Report (Sports Illustrated)

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He has natural lead skills as a game manager and passer, with the ability to be a primary point guard for an NBA team, even if it’s off the bench. He’s also a reliable 3-point and free throw shooter, boasting a smooth jumper with fluid mechanics and the ability to play off-ball. His overall offensive game needs to become more efficient during his sophomore season, but Lowe is a legitimate offensive engine as a combo guard. 

Although he’s not the biggest or strongest guard relative to his future peers at the NBA level, Lowe is crafty and has ways to combat that. He’s a smooth lefty who knows how to get to his spots and leverage any advantage he can create on the offensive end. His deep range as a shooter from beyond the arc extends the defense which allows him to create space for himself and teammates. 

On the defensive end, Lowe will need to show NBA scouts that he can play within a scheme and prove to be a good team defender. He lacks size, but has quick hands and can be pesky on the perimeter at times. That’s the side of the ball in which Lowe has the most to prove when it comes to draft stock. 

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