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

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Kentucky Wildcats guard Antonio Reeves (12) shoots the ball during the second half against the Missouri Tigers at Rupp Arena
© Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

The Kentucky Wildcats have started 2-0 in conference play and with four of the top five teams losing this week, could make the jump into the top five of the AP Poll in January for just the second time since 2017. Standing in their way will be a motivated Texas A&M team in College Station on Saturday, who has started 0-2 in SEC play.

The Aggies debuted in the AP poll this preseason at No. 15, one spot ahead of Kentucky, but with a 9-6 record, they have fallen out of the others receiving votes category. Things seem to be trending in the wrong direction, as they have lost four of their last six games, with their two wins coming against sub-300 KenPom teams.

That said, four of A&M’s six losses have come against ranked teams by an average of seven points. The Aggies certainly have the talent to challenge Kentucky and a sold-out College Station crowd will give them an advantage.

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Let’s take a look at the matchup.

Rebound, Limit Second Chance

Playing the best rebounding team in the country last Saturday, the Wildcats will play another top 10 rebounding team in Texas A&M. The Aggies average just under 43 rebounds per game, ranking 8th nationally, but where they really excel is offensive rebounding.

Just how good? Well, A&M ranks first nationally in offensive rebounds per game (18.3 RPG) and offensive rebounding percentage (44.6%). For reference, Kentucky who was a top-three offensive rebounding team in the country the last two seasons with Oscar Tshiebwe, averaged just over 12 offensive rebounds per game and a 37.7 offensive rebounding percentage.

One reason A&M attacks the offensive rebounds hard, is they don’t shoot very well, at all. In fact, they are the second-worst shooting Power 5 team behind Rutgers, shooting just over 40%. That said, the two biggest threats on the glass will be their big men Henry Coleman and Andersson Garcia, who combine to average more than 17 rebounds per game, including 8 offensive. Fortunately, Kentucky’s guards have rebounded fairly well much of the season, but the bigs have to show more effort.

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Wade Taylor

A&M is led by preseason SEC Player of the Year, Wade Taylor IV, who leads the team in scoring, assists, and steals. A dynamic playmaker, creating for himself and his teammates, he is the motor of the team. As a result, Taylor has a usage rate of 31.7, ranking top 25 nationally.

Taylor is 4th in the SEC in scoring, averaging 17.3 points, but on a very inefficient 42.8 effective field goal percentage. That said, he makes it a priority to get his teammates involved, averaging 4.0 assists per game.

That said, Taylor has a tendency to try to do too much if pressured, which can result in turnovers and bad shots. If Kentucky’s backcourt can pressure Taylor into mistakes, they can limit A&M’s offense and push the slow pace A&M will look to play with.

Hustle

Buzz Williams has always been a tough and gritty coach and he has instilled that in his Texas A&M teams. As we have seen this week with four of the AP top 5 falling on the road, winning conference road games is tough. The team that wants it more, dives on the floor for loose balls, flies around on defense, and reduces second-chance points could be the one that wins this game.

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Opposing Players to Watch

G Wade Taylor IV, 6-0, 175 lbs

  • 17.3 PPG (4th in SEC)
  • 4.0 APG (7th in SEC)
  • 2.4 SPG (2nd in SEC)

F Henry Coleman III, 6-8, 245 lbs

  • 12.5 PPG
  • 8.4 RPG (3rd in SEC)
  • 61.3% FG (2nd in SEC)

G Tyrece Radford, 6-3, 190 lbs

  • 12.2 PPG
  • 5.1 RPG
  • 2.2 APG

Kentucky Wildcats vs. Texas A&M Aggies

  • Time: 2 pm ET
  • Date: January 13th, 2024
  • TV Channel: ESPN
  • Announcers: Dan Shulman and Jay Bilas will be calling the action.
  • Location: Bryan-College Station in College Station, Texas.
  • Online Stream: Stream the game online with 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: ESPN’s matchup predictor has the Wildcats as an underdog, giving them just a 34.6 percent shot to win. Bart Torvik gives Kentucky a 50-50 shot at the victory, while EvanMiya gives Kentucky a 54.9 advantage.
  • Predictions: EvanMiya has the Cats winning in a close one, 77-76. Bart Torvik and Haslametrics have Kentucky losing in a close game, 79-78 and 80-79 respectively. DRatings has the Cats winning 85-74.

Also published on A Sea of Blue.

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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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