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Kentucky vs. Texas A&M: TV/Streaming Info, Preview, and Betting Odds/Predictions

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Kentucky big man Amari Williams claps with energy on defense.
Chet White | UK Athletics

The Kentucky Wildcats got a big-time road win against Mississippi State on Saturday. Their reward? Two top-15 opponents this week, the first of which will be the Texas A&M Aggies on Tuesday night.

Coached by two-time SEC Coach of the Year Buzz Williams, the Aggies are currently ranked 11th nationally, their highest ranking since the 2017-18 season. Falling just one spot after a loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday.

Texas A&M has not won in Lexington since their inaugural season in the SEC in 2013, but have won two in a row.

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The big storyline for this game is around A&M guard and two-time All-SEC selection Wade Taylor IV, who has missed two games in a row with an undisclosed injury, rumored to be his knee. Williams says he does not have any recovery timetable.

Losing Taylor, their best playmaker, is a big loss for A&M. However, beating a top-20 Oklahoma team and only losing to Alabama by six points will still be a hard-fought contest for Kentucky.

Let’s take a look at the matchup.

Limit A&M on the Offensive Boards

Texas A&M is the best offensive-rebounding team in the country in nearly every category. The Aggies rebound 44% of their shots, collecting nearly 15 offensive rebounds per game. That said, they shoot just over 43% from the field, so their quality of shots are not great.

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Kentucky’s struggles on the offensive glass have been apparent and is an area where Mark Pope and the staff are trying to improve quickly. However, they have given up double-figure offensive rebounds in three straight games.

With four players with more than 30 offensive rebounds on the season, A&M crashes the offensive glass as a team. To counter that, Kentucky will need to box out as a team.

Speed Up the Game

By adjusted tempo, Texas A&M plays at the fourth-slowest pace in the SEC. That is a pace that Kentucky has struggled to play at often this season, and they would like to speed up the game.

A&M guard Zhuric Phelps is someone that the Wildcats can exploit on defense, as he commits more than three turnovers per game. If Kentucky can secure the boards, they can push the ball at their own pace.

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Interior Defense, Maintain Foul Trouble

Running a dribble-drive offense, Texas A&M is not a team that looks to shoot threes first. This means that Kentucky will likely prioritize defending the drive rather than the shot. Communication will be key in ball-screen situations, an area where the Wildcats have improved a lot in recent weeks.

That said, the Aggies are very good at drawing fouls. Drawing more than 20 fouls on their opponent per game, they rank in the top 25 in the country. With a lineup that is 7-8 players deep, defending without fouling will be critical for Kentucky.

Opposing Players to Watch*

*Note: If Taylor does not play.

G Zhuric Phelps 6-4, 190 lbs

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  • 15.4 PPG
  • 4.9 RPG
  • 2.7 APG
  • 3.2 TOPG

F Henry Coleman III 6-8, 250 lbs

  • 8.6 PPG
  • 5.3 RPG
  • 58.4 FG%

F Pharrel Payne 6-9, 250 lbs

  • 8.9 PPG
  • 4.8 RPG
  • 67.1% FG

Kentucky Basketball vs. Texas A&M Aggies

Time: 7:00 PM ET on January 14th
Location: Central Bank Center at Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY
TV Channel: ESPN2
Announcers: Karl Ravech and Jimmy Dykes
Online Stream: ESPN+ and the ESPN app.
Radio: Tom Leach and Jack Givens will have the call on the UK Sports Radio Network.
Replay: WatchESPN and SEC Network (check local listings).
Rosters: UK | A&M
Stats to Know: UK | A&M
KenPom: UK | A&M
Team Sheet: UK | A&M

Odds: FanDuel Sportsbook has Kentucky favored by 6.5 points with an over/under 157.5. That line is likely smaller if Wade Taylor IV plays, so it could indicate he’s trending toward being out Tuesday. Bart Torvik is the most confident in Kentucky’s chances to win at 67%. EvanMiya, again, is the most pessimistic, giving the Cats just a 58.3% chance of victory. ESPN (60.6%) and KenPom (60%) fall in between.

Predictions: The analytics predict a narrow Wildcat victory. Bart Torvik (81-76) is the sole projection going with a two-possession victory. KenPom (80-77), EvanMiya (79-76), and Haslametrics (79-78) going with a one-score victory. A&M may be without Taylor, their best player. While they still won’t be an easy out, I’m going with an 84-77 victory, Kentucky!

How do you see this one going? Send us your Kentucky vs. Texas A&M score predictions in the comments section!

Go Cats!!

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Also posted on A Sea of Blue.

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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