Men's Basketball

Kentucky vs. Texas A&M, SEC Tournament: TV/Streaming Info, Keys to the Game, and Predictions

Published

1 year ago

March 15, 2024

The Kentucky Wildcats will rematch against the Texas A&M Aggies in their first game of the SEC Tournament in Nashville.

Photo by Chet White | UK Athletics

The time has finally come for the Kentucky Wildcats to take the court and tip off their first game of the SEC Tournament in Nashville on Friday evening.

Winning 33 SEC Tournament Championships, the SEC Tournament has long been looked at as the ‘Big Blue Invitational,’ but as of late, that has not been the case. The conference has improved and become much deeper, with other teams like Alabama and Tennessee finding success.

Not making the SEC Championship game since 2018, the Wildcats will look to change that this season. That will start on Friday evening, with a rematch against the Texas A&M Aggies in the Quarterfinal Round, who is coming off a tough-fought win over Ole Miss.

For the Aggies, they are playing for their NCAA Tournament hopes. They need a win on Friday night to secure their spot in the NCAA Tournament. A loss, and they’ll be sweating out Selection Sunday, especially if there are bid-stealers in other conferences. For Kentucky, a win will secure their spot as a 3-seed, and potentially make a late push as a 2-seed.

Flashback to the game in College Station back in January, it was one of Reed Sheppard’s first breakout performances in SEC play. However, the real story was the game of the guard duo of Wade Taylor IV and Tyrece Radford, who combined for 59 points and led the Aggies to a 97-92 upset over Kentucky.

This time around, Kentucky has improved and plays through physicality much better, while Texas A&M looks much the same. But we all know how Kentucky brings the best out of opponents, so expect another inspired effort from Buzz Williams’ squad, fighting to keep their season alive.

Now, let’s look at a few things to watch heading into Friday night’s matchup.

Rebounding Battle

Although Kentucky succeeded in pushing the first game into overtime, they were fortunate to do so with a late push from Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard. What created so much trouble for Kentucky was the Aggies’ dominance on the boards.

In their winning effort, Texas A&M won the rebounding battle 54-46, which included 25 offensive rebounds. While not a very efficient offensive team, this allowed the Aggies to attempt six more field goals and nine additional foul shots in a game ultimately decided by five points.

Against a team that shoots below 40 percent on the season, one of the worst marks in the country, Kentucky cannot give up that many extra possessions. Combatting that starts with physicality on defense and the boards, and having the advantage in 50/50 balls.

This time around, the Wildcats will have maybe the most physical presence on the team, Adou Thiero, who was sidelined due to a back injury in the first matchup.

A&M players have already spoken about wanting to slow the game down and try to force Kentucky to play more of a ‘grind-it-out’ style. Expect an intense battle lasting the full 40 minutes.

Win or You’re Done Mentality

Kentucky won’t have to sweat things out on Selection Sunday, with most projections having them as 3 or 4-seed in the NCAA Tournament. However, with a young and sometimes inconsistent team, it is key to get each player in the mindset of playing each game like it’s the last game. While it may not be true for the Cats this week in Nashville, it certainly will be in the next Tournament.

On Friday, the Cats will face an NCAA Tournament quality opponent, who is fighting for their NCAA Tournament hopes, in a postseason atmosphere. That is certainly beneficial.

If they come mentally prepared with that mindset, fight like every possession is your last, and win, they can lock up a 3-seed and could make a run at a 2-seed with Duke and Creighton being upset in their conference tournaments.

Backcourt Defense

Kentucky’s backcourt is one of the best in the country and they showed in the first matchup against A&M, at least offensively, putting up 68 of Kentucky’s 92 points. The issue came defensively, where they allowed Preseason SEC Player of the Year Wade Taylor IV and Tyrece Radford to score 59 points.

Neither player is really efficient, both shooting less than 41 percent on the season, but they account for nearly half of the team’s shots. Both are willing shooters (obviously), but they are more dangerous on drives. Kentucky needs to stay between their man and the basket.

At that point, they also need to do their best to defend without fouling. In the first matchup Taylor and Radford combined for 21 free throws, the same amount Kentucky shot for the game. That wasn’t an outlier as they average almost 10 free throws per game.

Opposing Players to watch

G Wade Taylor 6-0, 175 pounds

18.0 PPG (4th in SEC)

3.5 RPG
4.1 APG (9th in SEC)

2.0 SPG (3rd in SEC)

G Tyrece Radford 6-3, 190 pounds

15.5 PPG
5.9 RPG

2.3 APG
41% from the field

F Andersson Garcia 6-7, 215 pounds

6.0 PPG

9.4 RPG
1.4 SPG
53.8% shooting (44.4% from 3)

Kentucky Basketball vs. Texas A&M Aggies

Date: March 15th, 2024
Time: 7:00 pm ET
TV Channel: The SEC Network will have TV coverage

Location: Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN
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 | A&M
Stats to Know: UK | A&M

KenPom: UK | A&M
Team Sheets: UK | A&M
Odds: No official spread yet, but the spread is expected to be around 6 points in favor of the Cats. KenPom gives Kentucky a 63% chance of winning, while EvanMiya has it at 70%.

Predictions: KenPom has the Cats winning 81-78. EvanMiya projects an 81-76 victory, Kentucky! Check back later as more predictions roll in.

Also published on A Sea of Blue.

Men's Basketball

Five-Star Transfer Jayden Quaintance on Coming to Kentucky: “We Have a Real Chance to Win a National Title”

Following his recommitment to Kentucky, five-star big Jayden Quaintance shared high aspirations for his upcoming time in Lexington.

Published

6 hours ago

April 11, 2025

Lane Mills

Jayden Quaintance speaks on his recommitment to Kentucky.

Connor Smith | ASU Athletics

“They’re gonna get a winner.”

That was Jayden Quaintance’s first response when he was asked, in an interview with the Field of 68 podcast, what Kentucky fans should expect from his commitment. “I go out to win every game I play.”

While many recruits change schools and the transfer portal is essentially the primary way to build a team in college basketball today, few players commit to a school, leave, and then are welcomed back with open arms. Quaintance’s case, however, is unique.

The five-star big had originally committed to Kentucky under John Calipari for the 2024-25′ season; once Cal left for Arkansas, like almost everybody else, Quaintance exercised the same option.

He’d go on to spend his freshman year at Arizona State where, before suffering an ACL injury that put him out for the season, he averaged nine points, eight boards, and a staggering three blocks per game. By all metrics, he’s one of the most tenacious and effective defenders in the nation when he’s on the floor.

And now? He’s back in Kentucky blue, for real this time.

“The best fit for me”

“The coach showed the most interest out of anybody I talked to. He seemed really excited to have me here…” said Quaintance, of being recruited to Kentucky by Mark Pope the second time around. “So I feel like this was the best fit for me, especially with Pope being like a bigger player… he kind of knows what I have to go through and what I have to work on really well.”

Quaintance also praised Pope’s offensive system, calling it “open,” and focusing on his ability to play in space and “make the next pass.” There are few scoring minds as proficient as Coach Pope’s, and plugging Quaintance into a system like Kentucky’s should mean endless opportunities for his game to grow on that end.

Regarding his injury, Quaintance expects to be back on the court in contact play by September, two months before the 2025-26′ season begins. “Recovery has been going really well,” he said.

The stars seem to be aligning for Kentucky to have “JQ” ready for action by tipoff this fall, and much like Kentucky fans, he’s got eyes on the prize: “We have a real chance to win a national title.”

Mark Pope understands the assignment, and so do the players he recruits.

BB Recruiting

Four-Star Guard Acaden Lewis Suddenly Decommits from Kentucky

Amidst a recent wave of positive recruiting news for Kentucky, the surprising decommitment of Acaden Lewis is an unfortunate wrench.

Published

24 hours ago

April 10, 2025

Lane Mills

2025 four-star point guard prospect Acaden Lewis has decommited from Kentucky.

UK Athletics

In a shocking, late at night turn of events, four-star freshman Acaden Lewis has decommitted from Kentucky.

Lewis, a 6’3” point guard out of Washington, D.C. first committed to the blue and white in November of last year, following an in-person visit with Mark Pope in his hometown.

Since then, he’s made multiple appearances in Rupp Arena, been featured in photo shoots with his fellow incoming recruits, and spoken on multiple occasions about his excitement to join the team for the 2025-26’ season.

To say this development is surprising would be a serious understatement.

Lewis released a statement following the announcement, “This was an incredibly difficult decision, but I have to do what’s best for my future,” he said. “Thank you to Coach Pope and the whole Kentucky staff for all they’ve done for me so far.”

While the loss of Lewis is certainly disappointing, there is still much to look forward to next season for Kentucky, who maintain one of the highest rated transfer classes in the nation – and it likely isn’t finished.

To that point, if any reason can be derived immediately for Lewis’ decommitment, it may be found in the same place that Mark Pope and staff will be going to look for answers: the transfer portal.

Men's Basketball

Top Transfer Shooter Set to Visit Kentucky, Along With Three Other Schools

Mark Pope is on the hunt for a shooter: Does this shooting guard from Sam Houston fit the bill, and can Kentucky close the deal?

Published

1 day ago

April 10, 2025

Lane Mills

Sam Houston Athletics

Now with four transfers committed and national praise coming in from all angles, things are starting to take shape for Mark Pope’s 2025-26′ Kentucky team. But in traditional Coach Pope fashion, he isn’t done moving just yet.

Rumors have swirled since the transfer portal opened that Pope and staff were looking to add a shooter, among other things, to next year’s roster. With just about every other box checked, all eyes have shifted to the three point line, and one name has risen above the rest: Lamar Wilkerson.

Wilkerson, a senior guard for the Sam Houston Bearkats, has become one of the most prolific remaining names in the portal for his rare shooting prowess. This past season, on a 48%/45% shooting split, Wilkerson put up 21 points per game, in addition to four rebounds and two assists.

Those numbers are impressive on their own, but when you consider the fact that he was attempting nearly eight threes a game on average, his reputation as one of the best scorers on the market looks like an understatement.

According to his representatives, Wilkerson will visit four schools: Kentucky, Indiana, Auburn and Ole Miss, in no particular order. As things currently stand, he’ll make a decision once he’s completed all four visits – but if we’ve learned anything about the transfer portal, it’s to expect the unexpected. The only thing we know is that each of these teams will want to put pen to paper on Wilkerson as soon as possible, Kentucky included.