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Men's Basketball

Three Major Takeaways From Kentucky’s Blowout Win Over No. 1 Purdue

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Tristan Pharis | KY Insider

Rupp Arena was packed on Friday, Oct. 24, with two of the nations best colliding in a ranked matchup. An outsider would think surely that with all the parking spaces filled and the concession lines packed against the wall that this was a mid-season game.

“It’s just an exhibition game” was the sentenced repeated on social media after Kentucky’s 13-point win, and although it serves a true remark, it doesn’t define the full stands, the passionate fan base and the confidence-filled team that all witnessed make their debut.

What can we actually learn from an exhibition matchup? Is there true pressing details in scheme and analytics that can be drawn? To a degree, yes, but many aspects of basketball can visually tell the viewer what is to come in the future.

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The Kentucky Freshmen are Extremely Confident and Skilled

Although the Wildcats’ 25-26 roster is loaded with experienced pieces, the incoming freshmen class featuring Jasper Johnson, Malachi Moreno and Braydon Hawthorne all displayed extreme confidence in their respective time on the court.

Sure, maybe the box score shows that Hawthorne didn’t necessarily do anything, but his role was extremely major in the four seconds he touched the court.

As the first half was winding down, Hawthorne checked into the game with 4.3 seconds remaining. Having not checked into the game, Mark Pope decided that the freshman’s length was necessary on the final defensive play of the half.

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Hawthorne would tower his wingspan over star Purdue guard Braden Smith and would get the tip of the ball on the inbound, leading to a Moreno steal that would elevate a potential bucket. Although Moreno missed the layup, Hawthorne’s stature limited the Boilermakers from having any momentum heading into the half.

Pope had major praise for Hawthorne after the game, stating he’s the best man for the job in scenarios like that. “His length is ridiculous…it’s extremely difficult, in that situation he’s the best guy on our team by far.”

Since he mentioned his steal near the end of the half, Moreno’s game needs to discussed. Finishing the night with eights points, four rebounds and a block and a steal off of the bench is good by any standards, but doing it in his first collegiate game against another team is telling.

Moreno showed shades of being underdeveloped in his state tournament run; obviously he dominated the stat sheet and led Great Crossing to a championship, but at times he looked soft at times when he had to get physical in the trenches.

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That wasn’t the case on Friday night at all. Moreno displayed elite footwork, ball tracking and wasn’t afraid to bump and bang down low.

After the game, Pope said he was blown away by Moreno’s development. “I saw the same player that you saw…he’s just made incredible progress…he’s got a chance to be, to grow into a really special player.”

Last, and certainly not least, Johnson tore the roof off of the entire arena with his 15-point performance. The hype became real the moment the star freshman touched the court, and it was quite apparent that Johnson had no idea what an adjustment period is.

Taking fading threes and showing off his handle, with shades of Rob Dillingham, the “oohs” and “ahs” became a repeated trend amongst Big Blue Nation.

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It was clear that Johnson was the must-see attraction and he outdid his previous expectations. After the game, covered in towels and surrounded by his teammates, Johnson made a statement that reached national media.

“I ain’t gonna lie, I feel like we the best team in the country for sure.”

Is that a stretch? You be the judge, but I think most fans would agree.

The Depth of the Roster Is Apparent

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Exhibition game or not, it’s tough playing without three of your players. Jaland Lowe (shoulder), Jayden Quaintance (knee surgery) and Reece Potter (illness) were all absent in Kentucky’s first action of the season, but that didn’t prove to matter.

Every single Wildcat that logged a minute in the game scored, got a rebound and tallied an assist. When playing 10 different guys throughout the game, having balance, team chemistry and depth matters so much to the game of college basketball

Denzel Aberdeen stepped up for Lowe’s absence, Brandon Garrison replaced Quaintance even though he knew that would happen and Trent Noah was plugged into the starting lineup.

Each played major roles in Kentucky’s win, and after a season plagued with injuries, the “next man up” state of mind is important to establish early on.

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Kentucky Played Handicapped, Missing Star Players

As mentioned before, Lowe and Quaintance, as well as Potter didn’t suit up for the game and were forced to look on and watch their team blow by the No.1 team in the nation.

With reason, one has to imagine how much larger Kentucky would have made its deficit if they had played.

Lowe is a true point guard who can run an offense with ease and beat defenders downhill, which would benefit to the play style of last night, which read “find the open guy” and “make the right pass.” Likewise, Quaintance and Potter, both very capable of being double-double machines, would have paint position on the roll and would be able to get some easy dunks and layups to go.

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Again, imagine that interchanged combo on the court with Otega Oweh, Johnson and Noah. Kentucky very well could’ve walked out of the game with 100 points on the scoreboard, or at least close to it.

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Men's Basketball

Kentucky Loses on the Road to Texas A&M, Late Surge Not Enough

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Camryn Williams | UK Athletics

On Tuesday, March 3, Kentucky (19-11, 10-7 SEC) fumbled an early double-digit lead, allowing Texas A&M (20-10, 10-7 SEC) to go on an unfathomable run at home, losing 96-85.

Coming into this game, the Wildcats were fresh off of a huge win at home against No. 25 Vanderbilt, a game where Collin Chandler and Otega Oweh both dropped 23 points each and led Mark Pope’s squad to a 14-point dub.

Texas A&M, holding the same exact record as the Wildcats beforehand, were on a two-game losing streak, falling to No. 20 Arkansas on the road and Texas at home. The Aggies, in need of a win for their tournament resume, had everything to lose on Tuesday night in College Station.

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To start things out, both teams traded shots, tied 11-11 at the first break. Otega Oweh led both teams with six points, but Denzel Aberdeen had unfortunately picked up two fouls.

At a solid point of the half, with eight minutes left on the clock, Brandon Garrison and a now checked-in Aberdeen had maintained the early Kentucky lead, putting the Wildcats up 30-18.

If you didn’t watch the game, please prepare yourself, as Rubén Dominguez would lead the Aggies to a 27-3 run to close out the first half, scoring 14 points and knocking down four threes during that stretch.

There’s not much to even say – the Wildcats turned the ball over seven times in the first 20 minutes and missed every single shot they attempted during the Texas A&M legacy run. Like, literally, they only made one shot.

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At the break, Pope and his unpredictable team trailed 45-33.

Don’t think things would get any better, as by time of the first media timeout in the second half, the Aggies outscored the Wildcats 14-7 out of the half and would nearly take a 20-point lead. With 13 minutes and some change left in the game, Texas A&M had officially gone on a 46-14 run – which is absolutely and positively embarrassing.

Trust me, I wish I could say something positive. The Wildcats showed a little life between the ten-minute and eight-minute mark, going on a quick 9-3 run, but obviously it was too little too late.

We all know the story of this Kentucky team, however, as a graphic flashed on the screen that highlighted the Wildcats’ five double-digit comebacks this season. Trailing by 15 points with 7:30 remaining in the game, the Big Blue Nation hadn’t gave up on their guys just yet.

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After some hero plays from Garrison on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball, Pop Issacs would hit this 13th three for the Aggies. In very Garrison fashion, he would miss a layup and commit a foul on the next offensive possession, allowing Bucky McMillan’s team go back up by 18 points.

Late surge after late surge took place for Pope’s hopeful road dogs – you can’t always expect a miracle comeback though, or can you?

Led by Trent Noah, who hadn’t made a field goal since the end of January, Kentucky would go on a 10-2 run in just over a minute of game time, bringing the deficit down to seven.

Chandler, looking for another clutch moment, would air ball a corner shot, ironically marking the end of a hopeful ending.

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Up next, Kentucky will host the No. 5 Florida Gators (24-6, 15-2 SEC) during the Wildcats’ senior celebration on Saturday, March 7. That game will tip off at 4:00 p.m. ET and will air live on ESPN from Rupp Arena.

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Men's Basketball

Seniors Otega Oweh and Denzel Aberdeen Reflect Ahead of Their Final Home Game

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Anastasia Panaretos | UK Athletics

Senior Day. Do you love it, or do you hate it? In the same essence, it can be a refreshing celebration for a team’s most decorated players, until it hits you that their careers are quickly coming to a close.

On Saturday, March 7, when Kentucky hosts No. 5 Florida, the Big Blue Nation will have to say goodbye to a handful of upperclassman, two being fan favorite Otega Oweh and breakout guard Denzel Aberdeen.

Two parts of the “three-headed goat” met with the media on Monday, March 2, discussing the surreal sensations they’ve felt throughout the final week of the regular season.

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“This season felt like it went by really fast,” said Oweh. “They say time flies when you having fun and I just want to end it on a high note.”

To be fair, this season has gone by in a blur. It felt like just yesterday that we were having talks of Oweh being the Preseason SEC Player of the Year. Fast forward to now, and conference play only features two more matchups.

Reflecting on his time thus far, Oweh scored in double figures in 28 out of 29 games this season, averaging 20.5 points per game against SEC opponents. Words don’t describe the type of impact that he’s had on the blue and white, but it’s not over just yet.

Aberdeen, being a one-off Wildcat via the transfer portal, still had some emotional moments to talk about.

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“It’s been nothing but amazing here since I’ve been here,” said Aberdeen. “Since I stepped foot on campus, everybody treated me like family, like a brother…I know it’s been only one year, but I wish I had another.”

Agreeing with his teammate, the Florida transfer admitted that this season went by too quick.

“It went by really fast, I feel like I was just taking Braydon (Hawthorne) to Target just for his dorm,” Aberdeen said. “It’s crazy to think that we’re already in March already.”

March it is, indeed. The Wildcats have a matchup on the road against Texas A&M on Tuesday, March 3 and of course the rematch with the Gators for the regular-season finale, and then it’s time to play some postseason ball. No second chances, no what if’s, and’s or but’s – just do or die ball.

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Oweh and Aberdeen will look to close this season out strong, all while appreciating their time as a Wildcat with humble grace.

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Men's Basketball

Kentucky Takes Down No. 25 Vanderbilt, Collin Chandler Drops Career High

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Elliot Hess | UK Athletics

On Saturday, Feb. 28, the Kentucky Wildcats (19-10, 10-6 SEC) took down the No. 25 Vanderbilt Commodores (22-7, 9-7 SEC) by a score of 91-77, earning a crucial Quad 1, ranked and confidence boosting win as the season closes out.

Coming into this one, the Wildcats had recently clawed back in a brutal game against the South Carolina Gamecocks, grabbing the team’s first win after a three-game losing streak.

Vanderbilt, after falling in back-to-back matchups with Missouri and Tennessee, responded with a win over a team who had just beat Kentucky in Rupp Arena, the Georgia Bulldogs, and wanted to continue building its resume in Lexington.

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Unfortunately for the Volunteers’ ugly brother, the Commodores would experience an all-time shooting performance in the first half.

Kentucky came out BLAZING hot from deep, led by guard Collin Chandler, who continued to show how much he can develop into a star.

Chandler would score 12 points, all via the three, all within the first eight minutes of the game. Adding one more on before the half, and with the help of Denzel Aberdeen and Otega Oweh’s combined 14 points, the Wildcats jogged off of the court, up 15 at the break.

Marking one of the more impressive shooting halves of the season, Mark Pope’s squad left with roaring cheers, making nine out of their 17 attempted threes.

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To start the second half, most would stay the same, as both teams traded shots all while Kentucky maintained a 15-point lead.

Per usual, as one could predict, the refs would begin to get involved, waiving a potential four-point play from Chandler, calling a cheap one on Brandon Garrison and doing the same as the Wildcats went back on offense, resulting in Pope spitting some mean words at the officials.

Garrison, grimacing in pain, sat on the court and watched as the call didn’t result in anything extra for Vanderbilt, causing the Big Blue Nation to make their voices heard.

Zooming down the court, Oweh would secure an and-one, putting the Wildcats up 19 at the 11:50 mark, feeling like a miracle would have to happen for Vanderbilt to muster up a comeback.

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Chandler, already with a career-high performance, would allow Oweh to take over as time expired, reaching the double-digit mark and scoring two straight buckets at the rack.

As always, the trio of Chandler, Aberdeen and Oweh did their thing and handled the scoring production for the Wildcats, combining for 59 of Kentucky’s points.

Up 17 with five minutes to go, the Wildcats didn’t let off the gas pedal, bullying their way into the paint and letting Vanderbilt leave with some insurance for what happened last time.

Tyler Nickel would hit some late threes for Vanderbilt, but at that point, fans were worried more about traffic than any Tracy McGrady miracle in Rupp Arena.

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Up next, Kentucky will travel to College Station to take on Texas A&M (19-10, 9-7 SEC) on Tuesday, March 3. Tip is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET and will air live on ESPN2.

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