Men's Basketball

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

Published

2 years 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.

BB Recruiting

James Madison Transfer Justin McBride to Visit Kentucky on Tuesday

Published

1 day ago

April 17, 2026

Tristan Pharis

Kentucky will host James Madison transfer James McBride for a visit on Tuesday, after communicating with Mark Pope and the staff via Zoom video call.

James Madison Athletics

While much of the attention in the transfer portal goes to the top targets, you need to build a full roster. Still with starting spots to be claimed, Kentucky also looking at depth pieces. The most recent, James Madison transfer Justin McBride.

After talking to the staff this week via Zoom video call, McBride is scheduled to take a visit to Lexington on Tuesday.

A three-star transfer, ranked 201st overall according to 247Sports, McBride is being recruited by multiple power conference teams including Baylor and Cal, as well as SEC foes Mississippi State and Ole Miss.

Out of high school, McBride was a four-star recruit, ranked in the top 150 nationally.

“He is a versatile player who has that IT factor about him. You can tell by the passion he plays with that there is a huge chip on his shoulder,” 247Sports asked program director Vonzell Thomas said as he evaluated McBride out of high school. “What I like about his game is his will to win. He does whatever it takes to win and not every kid has that mentality.”

From Texas, McBride committed to Oklahoma State over the likes of Kansas and Arkansas, where he played alongside former Wildcat Bandon Garrison. There, he appeared in just 24 games, averaging just over five minutes per game.

Seeking a larger role, McBride entered the transfer portal and dropped to the mid-major level, committing to Nevada. With the Wolfpack he nearly tripled both his minutes and production, averaging 7.8 points and 4.2 rebounds in just under 20 minutes per game. His most recent stop, James Madison this past season, McBride had a breakout year, averaging 15.3 points and 5.6 rebounds on 40 percent shooting from deep.

Entering his senior season, the 6-7, 240 pound McBride is eyeing a jump back to the power conference level, prioritizing fit at his next stop.

Will that be Kentucky?

McBride has good size and athleticism, and has an inside-out style of game. Meaning he can work his away around the paint, but can also space the floor with his shooting, grading fairly well as a catch and shoot guy. Overall, he ranks in the 97th percentile in scoring volume. That said, there is come consistency to be lacked on the defensive side.

BB Recruiting

Multiple Transfers Meet With Kentucky on Wednesday

Published

1 week ago

April 8, 2026

Tristan Pharis

The transfer portal is active, and Zoom stock is going up as college coaches are video chatting around the clock to build their rosters, including Kentucky.

On Wednesday, Mark Pope and the Kentucky staff added three more names to the Zoom list.

Alex Wilkins (Guard, Furman), 4⭐️, 46th-ranked transfer

Class: Sophomore
Physicals: 6-5, 175 lbs
Last season averages: 17.8 PPG, 4.7 APG, 46% FG, 32.8% 3P

An underrated prospect coming out of high school, Wilkins splashed on the scene this year at Furman. As a freshman, he led his team to the NCAA Tournament, averaging 17.8 points and 4.7 assists and earning second team All-SoCon honors.

There were few players as critical to their team’s success as Wilkins, leading the SoCon in possession usage (34.4%) and shot usage (31.7%). That does lend some explanation to his poor shooting splits and turnover concerns (3.8 turnovers per game).

A quick, wirey guard, Wilkins is a capable scorer at all three levels, and can create for his teammates. However, he needs to add some muscle for power conference competition, and needs to have more consistent effort on the defensive end.

A freshman, those are both correctable things.

Isaac Celiscar (Forward, Yale), 4⭐️, 84th-ranked transfer

Class: Junior
Physicals: 6-6, 210 lbs
Last season averages: 13.2 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3.2 APG, 57.3% FG, 40.7% 3P

Isaac Celiscar is one of the most efficient, versatile players in the transfer portal.

The first takeaway, averaging 13.2 point per game with 57.3 percent shooting, he is extremely efficient on limited opportunities. Shooting nearly 41 percent from deep, he is a threat from deep as well. That efficiency carries over to his passing, as he averages more than three assists per game, on just 1.3 turnovers per game.

Celiscar grades out as a glue-guy with great offensive skills and good feel for the game, but he does have limitations in terms of his athleticism and shot creation.

Jalen Cox (Guard, Colgate), 3⭐️ , 149th-ranked transfer

Class: Senior
Physicals: 6-3, 180 lbs
Last season averages: 17.9 PPG, 5.3 APG, 5.0 RPG, 52.1% FG, 36.5% 3P

Jalen Cox is the lowest ranked player Kentucky has reached out to, but the Wildcats need depth and Cox is a experienced guard with proven production.

Averaging 17.9 points and 5.3 assists (2.0+ assist-to-turnover ratio) per game on 52 percent shooting from the field, Cox is a versatile and efficient offensive player. He has also multiple conference All-Defense selections too, making him a two way player.

The biggest concern with Cox is his athletic ceiling and how that translates to power conference competition. However an experienced two way player is a great rotation piece.

BB Recruiting

Top Five Transfer Paulius Murauskas Moves Up Call, Talks With Kentucky on Wednesday

Published

1 week ago

April 8, 2026

Tristan Pharis

Kentucky met with Saint Mary's transfer Paulius Muruaskas, one of the top forwards in the transfer portal, on Wednesday and is looking to schedule a visit for him to come to Lexington.

Saint Mary's Athletics

Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats are as busy as anyone in the transfer portal. On Wednesday, they met with their biggest fish of this transfer portal cycle so far, Paulius Murauskas.

Originally scheduled for Thursday, the Wildcats met with Murauskas via Zoom video call on Wednesday, per source.

Currently ranked 4th overall in 247Sports transfer rankings, the top-ranked forward, Murauskas is the prototypical modern basketball player. Good size at 6-foot-8, 235 pounds, with the ability to create for himself and others, has a good handle, and overall good feel for the game.

Murauskas started his collegiate career at Arizona after some professional experience in Lithuania. Playing just five minutes per game with the Wildcats as a freshman, Murauskas transferred to Saint Mary’s, where he has flourished and earned All-Conference honors the last two seasons.

This past season, Murauskas averaged 18.4 points and 7.6 rebounds, on 48.2 percent shooting from the field and 33.3 percent from deep. As for his weaknesses, he is not super athletic, and he does need to be more consistent with his shot.

Originally thought to follow former Saint Mary’s head coach Randy Bennett to Arizona State, Murauskas is exploring all options. Following the Zoom, Kentucky is trying to get him on campus for a visit in the near future.