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Kentucky vs. St Joseph’s: TV/Streaming Info, Keys to the Game, and Predictions

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3 years ago

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Kentucky Wildcats cheerleads perform during the second half of the game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Stonehill Skyhawks at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center.
© Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

This Kentucky basketball team is exciting and if you’re anything like me, you can’t wait to watch them again. They will take the court again on Monday against the Saint Joseph’s Hawks. The programs have matched up just twice in their history, most notably in the 2017 Sweet Sixteen, with Kentucky coming away with both wins.

The Hawks are one of the more storied mid-major basketball programs in the country. With 21 NCAA tournament appearances, Saint Joseph’s has four Elite Eight appearances and a Final Four (1961). That said, they have not made any postseason appearance since 2016.

This season, the Hawks return all but one player from last season’s rotation, including their top three scorers. Yet, that doesn’t solve the defensive issues that have plagued them under head coach Billy Lange, who has yet to have a .500 season in five seasons.

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This will be a step up in competition over New Mexico State and Stonehill. Let’s take a closer look at the matchup.

Defend the Three

One of the biggest frustrations of a Kentucky basketball fan is when opposing teams come into Rupp Arena and turn into the prime Golden State Warriors. Saint Joseph’s has the ability to do just that.

Averaging 31.3 three-point attempts per game, the Hawks shoot threes at the sixth-highest rate in the nation. Shooting 32 percent, they are somewhat efficient as well. The biggest threat is Erik Reynolds, who leads the team in scoring, but also shoots 42 percent from three.

The Hawks also move the ball very well, averaging more than 17 assists per game. With their ability to shoot and move the ball effectively, Kentucky’s backcourt must show discipline and stick to their assignments.

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Rebounding Battle

Despite a lack of size, Kentucky has won the rebounding battle in all three of their wins. Of course, that will be a key against Saint Joseph’s.

The Hawks do rank top 50 in the country in rebounding. However, looking at their roster, it’s not the effort of just one player, as there are five players averaging more than four rebounds per game. On top of that, they do have two seven-footers.

For that reason, for Kentucky to win the rebounding battle, each player must focus on doing their part for the collective.

Shoot and Make the Three

John Calipari has completely transformed his offensive philosophy. After shooting just 18 threes per game, 315th in the country, the Wildcats are shooting more than 30 per game this season, good for 11th in the country.

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While that number is certainly to be closer to 25 as the season progresses, the willingness to shoot threes is there. With that, Saint Joseph’s is a team that gives up the three as well. So given that, Kentucky will have looks. If they can carry their shooting performance over from the Stonehill game, it could be another explosive scoring outing.

No. 17 Kentucky Wildcats (3-1) vs. Saint Joseph’s Hawks (3-1)

  • Time: 7 pm ET on Monday, November 20th
  • Location: Central Bank Center at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky.
  • TV: SEC Network
  • Online Stream: WatchESPN and the ESPN app.
  • Announcers: Not Announced
  • Radio: Tom Leach and Jack Givens have the UK radio network call on the UK Sports Radio Network.
  • Replay: WatchESPN and the SEC Network (check local listings).
  • Rosters: UK | SJU
  • Stats to Know: UK | SJU
  • KenPom: UK | SJU
  • Odds: ESPN’s matchup predictor has the Wildcats as a heavy favorite to win at 88.7%. Bart Torvik is slightly higher at 90%.
  • Predictions: Bart Torvik and Haslametrics is in agreement, going with a 79-66 win for the Wildcats.

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Men's Basketball

Star Forward Milan Momcilovic Chooses Kentucky Over Louisville and Arizona

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1 day ago

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June 1, 2026

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Photo via AOL

The wait is over BBN!

Milan Momcilovic has officially announced that he will be playing his senior year of college basketball at Kentucky, suiting up in the blue and white for Mark Pope and the Wildcats!

The 6-foot-8 wing averaged 16.9 points per game in the 2025-26 season, leading the nation in 3-pointers made (136) and percentage from deep (48.7%).

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Momcilovic is mostly ranked as No. 2 in most portal rankings, but ESPN has the former Cyclone as the No. 1 overall player. With that being said, this technically serves as Pope’s first No. 1 transfer during his tenure at Kentucky.

Pulling his name out of the 2026 NBA Draft on Wednesday, May 27, Kentucky was seemingly the favorite to land the wing during the entire sweepstakes due to positional need, scheme fit and money available to spend. He could even play another year with the Kentucky Wildcats if the “5-in-5” rule is passed and he forgoes the draft again.

Putting Pat Kelsey in a locker and outbidding him on a recruit is always great for morale, but this fills the much-needed star spot for next year’s roster. Pope and his staff have shaped the team with plenty of skilled players, but Momcilovic adds that extra layer of shooting and will serve as the go-to guy when a game may be on the line.

This will be the final player added to the 2026-27 team, with an insert at the starting small forward position in Momcilovic’s future. Pope and the Big Blue Nation have their guy, and soon enough, we’ll see the Pewaukee, Wisconsin native on Rupp Arena’s court.

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Men's Basketball

National Reporter Matt Norlander Chooses Kentucky as Landing Spot for Star Forward Milan Momcilovic

Published

6 days ago

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May 28, 2026

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Photo via Imagn Images

The Milan Momcilovic sweepstakes is underway, with multiple teams involved in the No. 2 overall transfer player’s recruitment. It is believed that Kentucky and Louisville are the top candidates after his decision to pull out from the 2026 NBA Draft on Wednesday, May 27.

Along with the in-state rivals, Arizona and St. John’s are both very well still in the mix, but the Red Storm are slowly falling out of contention after landing Baylor’s Tounde Yessoufou.

On May 28, national reporter Matt Norlander cleared the air on CBS Sports’ Eye On College Basketball podcast, stating that he believes Kentucky will land Momcilovic by the end of the weekend or Monday.

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“My prediction right now is that Milan Momcilovic will go to Kentucky,” Norlander said. “My understanding is that decision is going to come in the next one, two, three days, four days max.”

He would go on to talk about the other top programs involved, stating why he thinks they will be working in an uphill battle in this bidding war.

“My forecast is that it’s Kentucky, but you know, we’ll see if Louisville can get in there,” he continued. “Arizona I don’t think has the money to contend, like I think Kentucky and Louisville just have more money to play with.”

For the worried members of the Big Blue Nation, this is certainly good news to be put out by one of the most trusted college basketball reporters at the national level.

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Going by this report and Adam Zagoria’s from NYT Sports, it shouldn’t be long until a commitment decision for Momcilovic is announced publicly.

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Men's Basketball

BREAKING: No. 2 Ranked Transfer Milan Momcilovic Removes Name From 2026 NBA Draft

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6 days ago

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May 27, 2026

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Kamil Krzaczynski | Imagn Images

Milan Momcilovic has officially removed his named from the 2026 NBA Draft and will return to college for his senior season.

Kentucky leads in his recruitment, followed closely by St. John’s, Louisville and Arizona. A backdoor to Iowa State is also still open.

The No. 2 ranked transfer would be a huge addition to Kentucky’s 2026-27 roster if he committed, averaging 16.9 points per game on 50.6/48.7/87.8 shooting splits last year. Funny enough, in the current world of college athletics that we live in, Momcilovic was responsible for eliminating the Wildcats from the NCAA Tournament, dropping 20 points in the Round of 32.

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He would go on to lose to Tennessee in the Sweet 16 with Iowa State, so at least we know that there’s some inner-hatred for a long-standing rival if he ends up a Wildcat.

He made the most three-point shots in Division I basketball and is a versatile 6-foot-8 wing, which would fit perfectly into Mark Pope’s offensive system. He completed workouts with the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves during the draft process.

Now, the bidding war for the top dog begins, with some of the most prestigious programs in the sport placing their bets on the star forward.

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