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Kentucky defeats Louisville for 11th time in Calipari era, 78-70

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Before I begin with stuff about the game, I want to sincerely apologize to my dad, dogs, neighbors, and my throat for my actions during this game. I terrorized my dogs, woke my dad up many times, probably pushed my neighbors to the verge of calling 911, and my throat hurts really bad right now. But it was all worth it, because…….

Kentucky beat the dirty Cards. 78-70.

I was really nervous going into today’s game and probably the most nervous I have been for a UK/UL regular season game.

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It was a lot more stressful than I wanted it to be. I have been watching Kentucky basketball for a little over a decade now and have been through some very, very, very stressful games. But, for some reason, experience as a fan doesn’t help. At all.

Anyways, let’s talk a little about the game.

It’s a W

After dropping two straight games in Vegas and that Evansville loss still looming, today’s game was really important. Not only was it the Louisville game, but if Kentucky lost, they drop to 8-4, and really need to pick it up in SEC play to comfortably make the tournament.

I hope this will be a turning point in the season. Huge win that was much needed.

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EJ Montgomery

Hate to bring something negative in. But my goodness, EJ Montgomery was terrible today.

Four points, five rebounds, and four fouls.

That from a kid we thought would make a huge leap and become one of, if not Kentucky’s best player this season?

Disappointing.

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Nick Richards

Okay, back to the good stuff.

Lottery Pick Nick Richards Abdul-Jabbar was a huge part of Kentucky’s win tonight. And the L’s down at the end was pretty awesome too.

Richards had 13 points, 10 rebounds, hit a couple of huge free-throws, and played most of the second half with four fouls.

I never thought Nick Richards would be a big men that could produce for Kentucky, especially after last season. He has definitely proved me wrong.

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Immanuel Quickley

After going 4-21 from the field and 1-9 from three in Vegas, Immanuel Quickley was the Immanuel Quickley we all want him to be.

Quickley had 18 points, three rebounds, and two huge three’s.

For people who say these kids don’t care and only care about the NBA, he proved you wrong tonight. Did you see him making multiple efforts to calm himself down at free-throw line at the end of the game? Hell, I was shaking on my couch. Not only that, but he swooshed every free-throw at the end.

Incredible.

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Tyrese Maxey

Saved the best for last.

Kentucky was not going to win today’s game without a big performance from one of their guards. They got a huge performance from someone who should be this teams best player.

Maxey had 27 points, seven rebounds, and went 4-5 from three. He can definitely shoot the ball, but has struggled all season and tonight showed everyone what he’s capable of.

What now?

It’s almost January and this team is 9-3. SEC play starts in a week and Kentucky has a lot of momentum.

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Now, let’s go win the Belk Bowl.

Men's Basketball

Kentucky’s Jayden Quaintance Drafted First Round by the San Antonio Spurs

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Brett Davis | IMAGN Images

It’s every kids dream to play professionally one day, let alone be able to play for the University of Kentucky on the way to the next level. 

Although Jayden Quaintance’s time with the Wildcats ended anticlimactically, his NBA dreams have officially come true at just 18 years old. 

The Cleveland, Ohio native began his collegiate career with the Arizona State Sun Devils, starting in all 24 games he played in.

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Before his unfortunate knee injury, Quaintance was good for nearly a nightly double-double, averaging 9.4 points and 7.9 rebounds per game to go along with 2.6 blocks a night. 

He would transfer to Kentucky ahead of his sophomore season, making his first appearance on Dec. 20 against St. John’s.

Finishing the game with 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocks, many members of the Big Blue Nation were confident that their superstar had finally debuted. 

Only appearing in three more games for the 2025-26 season, it was quite clear that his eyes were set on playing at the next level, not taking any chances of another injury. 

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Selecting Quaintance with the No. 20 overall pick, the Spurs have now added on to their elite front court and will likely utilize him as a two-way player.

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Men's Basketball

Kentucky Players and Staff Speak About the Importance of Zoom Diallo to This Team, “It’s a recipe for success”

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Zoom Diallo is turning heads in Kentucky basketball practices. See why Mikhail McLean and Malachi Moreno are already raving about the new PG1.
UK Athletics

Mark Pope likes to start his roster-building process with a point guard. In year one, that was Lamont Butler. This past season, it was Jaland Lowe, who was the second commitment after an eager Kam Williams signed with the Wildcats without a visit.

This season, that point guard is Zoom Diallo.

According to early practice reports, Diallo has not only been one of the best players, but one of the most important in terms of helping this team build its foundation. According to one source, “Zoom has been one of the purest forms of a floor general early on. These guys rally around him. He’s the voice of the team in the early stages and backs it up by going the extra mile.”

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Assistant coach Mikhail McLean confirmed that in interviews this week.

“Zoom’s been my favorite so far,” he said on Tuesday, before going into more depth with BBN Tonight on Thursday, comparing him to a quarterback.

“He’s just a connector,” McLean said. “If you know what a quarterback is like, where they just kind of connect everybody. He has a bubbly energy and personality. He’s humble enough to accept who he is as a person. He gasses and encourages everybody to be the best version of themselves, and that’s how he gets the best version of himself.”

McLean mentioned another “connector” on the team, Malachi Moreno, who actually played a part in recruiting Diallo to Kentucky, “his favorite point guard.”

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“I had already known Zoom for a while,” he told KY Insider on Thursday. “We had been in Adidas Euro camp together, and being on the Adidas circuit, we’ve been good friends for a while. We always wanted to play together. He ended up at Washington, and I ended up here, but the stars aligned and now he’s here with me. I got my favorite point guard.”

As far as the impact Diallo has on the court, Moreno mentioned his ability to make plays for his teammates, but also highlighted his ability as a bully guard, drawing a comparison to Otega Oweh.

“He’s a high-assist-rate guy,” Moreno said. “He makes plays, and he earns shots for his teammates, and he’s also a bully guard.”

“I think that also helps in the SEC as well, being one of those bigger bully guards. You saw how Otega was last year. He was able to be so good because he was such a bully and able to muscle his way through the paint and really earn shots for everybody, earn shots for himself. I think having a guy like Zoom like that as well, it’s just a recipe for success.”

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High praise for Kentucky’s PG1 this season.

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Men's Basketball

Kentucky Basketball Team Visits Patients at UK Children’s Hospital, “We can brighten somebody’s day”

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Kentucky basketball players spent time at UK Children's Hospital, playing Fortnite and making crafts with young patients.
Chet White/UK Athletics

This year’s Kentucky Basketball roster arrived on campus earlier this month. While summer practice has started as the Cats are getting acclimated to the program, they are also getting acclimated to the community.

As a basketball player at Kentucky, you are more than just an athlete; you are someone many young people around the state look up to.

On Wednesday, the team visited the UK Children’s Hospital to see some of the strongest young people in the state.

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Photos showed players interacting with the children by playing games, creating crafts, and even putting together some toys.

Malachi Moreno revealed during an interview on Thursday that he invited one of the children, a young boy named Jackson, whom he met at DanceBlue, to play the popular video game Fortnite with himself, Kam Williams, and Trent Noah.

“The guys really took in what it means to be a part of this brand,” Moreno said of the experience. “When we walk into a room, we can brighten somebody’s day.”

This is what it’s all about.

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Also posted on A Sea of Blue.

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