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Kentucky beats Texas Tech, 76-74

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That game took about ten years off my life. But, in the end, it was all worth it because Kentucky got a huge win against a pretty good Texas Tech team tonight. A win that will be huge when it comes to seeding in March.

The Cats got off to a decent start, then the Red Raiders battled back to take the lead. It was back and forth for most of the first half before Immanuel Quickley nailed one from half-court to give the Cats the lead going to halftime. The second half was a lot more stressful.

Kentucky got a ten point lead early in the second half and that’s when I knew they were in trouble. Texas Tech slowly clawed their way back into the game and eventually tied it with just under three minutes left. Neither team could hit a shot, then a free throw from Nick Richards and Davide Moretti sent the game to OT.

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Over-time was very, very chaotic. Kentucky got out to a 72-66 lead on a Nate Sestina three-pointer. Once again Texas Tech fought back and tied the game. They had a chance to win, missed a good look, and the refs called a foul on TJ Holyfield that sent Nick Richards to the line and won the game.

Let’s look at what went right and wrong in the game.

Nick Richards Abdul-Jabbar

Junior Nick Richards was a beast tonight and basically won the game for Kentucky. He had 25 points, 14 rebounds, and four blocks.

He’s the first Kentucky player since Anthony Davis to have that kind of stat line.

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To address the call at the end that sent him to the line, I didn’t think there was a foul. I thought Kentucky was going to get a possession to win the game then I saw him at the free-throw line. I haven’t seen the play, but I don’t care. The refs screwed Kentucky the whole game.

Kentucky’s guards not named Immanuel Quickley were terrible

Ashton Hagans and Tyrese Maxey almost lost the game for Kentucky. They were 4-16 from the field, committed seven fouls, and committed nine turnovers.

Immanuel Quickley

Yes, Quickley had six turnovers, but he played great otherwise.

Quickley had 21 points, six rebounds, and four three’s. I think it’s safe to say that Nick Richards and Immanuel Quickley won Kentucky the game.

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Only two guys in double figures and Kentucky still won

The only two players in double figures for Kentucky were Immanuel Quickley and Nick Richards who combined for 46 points. The other three in the lineup combined for 16 points.

Now, Kentucky won tonight with all but two players playing bad. You aren’t going to win many games playing like that, especially in March.

The Officials

Here we are. Once again.

The refs were total garbage tonight. I don’t know what else to say. They have been terrible all year and it was exceptionally bad tonight.

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The Immanuel Quickley charge, moving screen on Sestina, back-court violation on Nick Richards, missed moving-screen on the Texas Tech player, and I don’t think that even names them all.

Kentucky got screwed in the 2015 Final Four and got screwed against North Carolina by an official I will not name in the Elite Eight in 2018.

Those are two horribly officiated games that Kentucky has been in. This year, it seems like every college basketball game, the refs are taking control and ruining the game. I don’t know what will happen, but somehow it has to stop.

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Men's Basketball

Otega Oweh Declares for NBA Draft, Maintains College Eligibility

Arguably the centerpiece of last year’s team, Otega Oweh has declared for the NBA Draft… but that doesn’t mean he’s officially gone.

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Otega Oweh declares for the NBA Draft whilst maintaining his college eligibility.
Chet White | UK Athletics

Few players have taken the Big Blue Nation by storm like Otega Oweh did with his arrival this past season. A lot was new in Lexington last year, but #00 stuck out for a number of reasons; namely, his infectious energy on the court and the high odds that he was going to put an opponent on a poster on any given night.

Now, Oweh has declared for the NBA Draft. He made the announcement on social media, calling Kentucky fans the “best fans in the world.”

While this may seem dire for folks keeping tabs on next year’s roster, that last line in Oweh’s announcement is crucial: “…while maintaining my NCAA eligibility.” Essentially, Otega’s time in Lexington is far from over, at least for the time being.

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Whether or not “Tegatron” returns to Rupp will likely depend on what he hears during the draft process, and where exactly he wants to land. In the modern college basketball landscape, it’s become common practice for players to “test the waters” in the draft, just to get an idea as to where they stand with the league, before returning to college for another year of development.

Take, for example, Jaxson Robinson just last season. Before his eventual transfer to Kentucky, Robinson declared for the draft out of BYU, maintaining his eligibility, before pulling from the process in order to spend his senior year at Kentucky. It happens all the time.

While that doesn’t necessarily set Oweh’s return in stone, it at least gives the Big Blue Nation to take a breather and keep calm, as his departure is far from official. Either way, #00 is a Lexington legend whose first go-around in Kentucky blue was as memorable as anyone’s could be. The “Oweh, Oweh, Oweh” chants will go on regardless.

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Four Star Forward Visiting Kentucky Amidst Recruitment Rumors

Mark Pope is looking to close out a strong sophomore effort in the transfer portal, and this freshman guard may be the final piece.

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Four star guard Braydon Hawthorne is on a visit to Kentucky.
Braydon Hawthorne | WVU Athletics

As the transfer portal trucks on (and the NCAA races to find ways to regulate it), Mark Pope is looking to tie a bow on his already highly-ranked 2025-26′ roster. The latest potential addition becomes in the form of a freshman who, after pulling his commitment from West Virginia, will be on an official visit to Kentucky today, Wednesday, April 16.

Braydon Hawthorne, the 6’8″ forward at hand, is a lengthy, scoring wing with high upside on the offensive end. His 7’3″ wingspan opens opportunities for development on the defensive end, too – he’s an investment opportunity of the highest order. On3 currently has him at 48th on their ranking of 2025 recruits.

In addition to Kentucky and West Virginia (where Hawthorne is from), schools such as Virginia Tech, Arizona State, Marquette, Dayton, Old Dominion, Mount St. Mary’s, and more have thrown their hats into the ring, although the general consensus seems to be that Kentucky has the strongest pull/interest in the prospect for the time being.

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Whether or not that actually means he’ll be in blue and white is unfortunately unsure – as that’s how the transfer portal operates – but an in-person visit is a good indicator of mutual interest. Plus, with Kentucky “losing out” on Lamar Wilkerson, who committed to Indiana, a scoring spot in the back court remains open… and Hawthorne is a compelling candidate to fill it.

While Wildcats fans wait patiently for a potential commitment, all eyes are on Coach Cody Fueger’s X account for a trademark “boom” post.

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Men's Basketball

Brandon Garrison Announces Return To Kentucky For The 2025-26 Season

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Chet White | UK Athletics

Brandon Garrison isn’t going anywhere. 

The 6-foot-10 forward will be returning to the Kentucky Wildcats for his junior season in the 2025-26 campaign. 

Garrison took to social media first, posting a story on his personal Instagram that showed a simple graphic reading the words “I’m back.”

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Speculation and rumors have swirled around the Oklahoma native all offseason, and with the addition of Andrija Jelavic, Big Blue Nation worried that Garrison would be hitting the portal sooner than later. 

Now, with his returning announcement public, Garrison will look to assert himself in the offseason as a dominant force that deserves the starting role.

Last season, he backed up Amari Williams, coming off of the bench and averaging 5.9 points per game and 3.9 rebounds per game in just 17.3 minutes a night. 

It’s unclear if he’s guaranteed anything in regards to a starting spot. However, having played a year already in Mark Pope’s system, Garrison may get a nod for the role over one of the transfer pickups. 

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Pope and the coaching staff have been publicly confident in the development of “BG” and see him as a vocal leader on and off the court. 

With a full offseason ahead where he’ll be harnessing his skill set and bettering his game in any way possible, Kentucky fans will be glad that Garrison chose to stick around another year. 

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