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Men's Basketball

Kentucky vs. Mississippi State, Round 2: TV/Streaming Info, Keys to the Game, and Predictions

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After a dominant win over Alabama, the Kentucky Wildcats will take on Mississippi State on the road.
© Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

What a win on Saturday for the Kentucky Wildcats, who put up one of the best offensive performances in college basketball this season on Saturday in a 117-95 win over Alabama. Now they will go back on the road to take on a Mississippi State team in a quad-one opportunity.

With Kentucky coming out on top in the first matchup, back in January, Mississippi State will look to even the season series and defend their home court on Tuesday. The Bulldogs are playing some of their best basketball of the season, riding a five-game winning streak, including a twenty-point road victory over LSU, whom Kentucky just lost to.

Let’s look at the matchup.

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Interior Defense

Tolu Smith is arguably the best big man in the SEC. In the first matchup between these two teams, he certainly made his presence felt despite the loss, scoring a season-high 26 points on better than 70 percent shooting.

This time around will be a good test to see how an improved Kentucky defense handles a physical interior player. While improving and reportedly back at practice, Tre Mitchell is unlikely to play on Tuesday, so it will be up to the seven-footers.

Ugonna Onyenso is Kentucky’s most physical big, but Zvonimir Ivisic who just scored a season-high 18 points, gives Kentucky a higher offensive ceiling.

Rebounding Battle

Similar to the stereotypical SEC team, Mississippi State is a physical team that does well on the boards, ranking toward the top of the country in total rebounds, offensive rebounds, and rebound margin. In the first matchup, Kentucky outrebounded the Bulldogs 30-29, that effort will need to be there again Tuesday.

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Josh Hubbard

Mississippi State’s equivalent to Rob Dillingham is Josh Hubbard. The sub-six-foot electric guard is a similar microwave-type player who just won his fifth SEC Freshman of the Week honor this season after scoring 32 points against LSU.

Scoring just three points on 1-11 shooting against Kentucky back in January, Hubbard is motivated to have a better performance. The priority in defending Hubbard is chasing him off the three-point line or pushing him back as more than 64 percent of his shots have been taken from deep. Similar to what Kentucky did to Alabama, make him finish at the rim.

Opposing Players to Watch

F Tolu Smith 6-11, 245 lbs

  • 16.8 PPG (9th in SEC)
  • 8.1 RPG (3rd in SEC)
  • 59.7% FG (1st in SEC)

G Josh Hubbard 5-10, 185 lbs

  • 15.3 PPG (10th in SEC)
  • 76 3PM (1st in SEC)
  • 7.9 3PA per game

G Dashawn Davis 6-1, 190 lbs

  • 6.2 PPG
  • 3.0 APG (17th in SEC)

Kentucky Basketball vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs

  • Time: 7 PM ET on February 27th
  • TV Channel: ESPN
  • Announcers: To be announced.
  • Location: Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville, Mississippi.
  • Online Stream: WatchESPN and 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 | MISS ST
  • Stats to Know: UK | MISS ST
  • KenPom: UK | MISS ST
  • Team Sheets: UK | MISS ST
  • Odds: The odds for the game have yet to be released, but check out SportsBetExpert for your picks. Despite a convincing win over Alabama, the projections are not in Kentucky’s favor. ESPN’s matchup predictor gives the Cats just a 40.9% chance at victory, with Bart Torvik right in line at 41%. EvanMiya and KenPom give Kentucky a slightly higher chance at the win, at 46% and 45% respectively.
  • Predictions: The projections have the game coming down to the wire. Bart Torvik and KenPom have Mississippi State winning by two points, 80-78 and 79-77. Haslametrics and EvanMiya have the Cats winning by just one point, 77-76.

Also published on A Sea of Blue.

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BB Recruiting

Kentucky Has Contacted Nation’s Leading Scorer, Four-Star Transfer Jaron Pierre Who Is “Definitely” Interested in the Cats

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Jacksonville State transfer Jaron Pierre has been contacted by Kentucky.
Jacksonville State Athletics

There are more than a thousand players in the transfer portal, meaning names are flying left and right. As of April 1st, Kentucky has one commitment in Kam Williams (Tulane), and is projected to land top 25 transfer Magoon Gwath (San Diego State).

That said, the Kentucky staff has been in contact with more than a dozen players, and there is another notable player to add to that list.

KY Insider can report that Kentucky has contacted Jaron Pierre from Jacksonville State. Pierre is currently a four-star transfer prospect and ranked as the 34th ranked prospect in 247Sports‘ transfer portal rankings.

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At Jacksonville State last season, Pierre scored more points than anyone else in college basketball (777 points), averaging 21.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists while shooting 38.2% from 3-point range (9.0 attempts per game). He scored 30 points or more in six games, and only had one game where he did not score in double digits. His impressive play earned him Conference USA Player of the Year honors.

Pierre also had prior stops at Southern Miss and Wichita State, where he spent two years at each school, and will be going into his sixth season of college basketball. Pierre has also declared for the NBA Draft, but is not currently projected on any mock drafts.

While still early in his recruitment, Pierre tells KY Insider that he is “definitely” interested in Kentucky, but no Zoom meeting or visit has been scheduled.

“I love it Big Blue Nation,” Pierre said of the Kentucky program. He also really liked what Mark Pope was able to do in his first season in Lexington. “He was able to pick up right where it left off.”

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The level of competition is always a question when evaluating a mid-major talent, but Pierre’s athleticism jumps off the page and a 38.2% clip from three on nine attempts per game is nothing to slight at.

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Men's Basketball

Kentucky Receives Predictions for 7-Foot, Top 25 Transfer Magoon Gwath

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7-footer Magoon Gwath, a top 25 transfer prospect, is predicted to commit to Kentucky.
San Diego State Aztecs

Magoon Gwath, the 7-foot freshman from San Diego State, has received a crystal ball to Kentucky. No, ladies and gentlemen, this is not an April Fools prank.

Gwath entered the transfer portal on Mar. 24 after he averaged 8.5 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per game, and 2.6 blocks per game for the Aztecs. His play earned him Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors in the Mountain West Conference. Kentucky was one of the first schools to contact Gwath, and Lamont Butler is even reported to be helping recruit Gwath to Kentucky.

At approximately 12 p.m. on April 1st, Travis Branham, a 247Sports Basketball Analyst, awarded the big man with a crystal ball prediction that has Gwath becoming a Wildcat. On3’s Joe Tipton has also chimed in, following Branham’s prediction and mentioning Michigan as a top destination as well. 

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This isn’t a guess, this is a calculated report. Now, Mark Pope and his staff will await the decision of Gwath in the coming days.

According to 247Sports transfer rankings, Gwath is the No. 22 transfer portal player in the country, ranking fourth among centers. The class of 2023 recruit was unranked, and due to a foot injury, was redshirted for the 2023-24 season.

With a 7-foot, 205-pound frame, Gwath needs to fill out some to help with his strength. However, he is an elite shot-blocker with good defensive instincts. On the offensive side, he has good vision for his size, which Mark Pope loves, and is comfortable putting the ball on the deck with his face-up game.

With the departure of Amari Williams and Andrew Carr in the frontcourt, the addition of Gwath would be major for the Pope and the Wildcats.

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Get familiar with Gwath’s game BBN.

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Men's Basketball

Transfer Portal Tracker: Tracing Kentucky’s Involvement Thus Far

Mark Pope built a tournament roster almost entirely out of the transfer portal last season – where is he looking to repeat his success?

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Chet White | UK Athletics

Despite having only opened this past Monday, the transfer portal has already amassed enough players and prospects to fill out an entire league of their own. In this new era of NIL-fueled college basketball, programs, some of which are actively participating in the NCAA Tournament, are scrambling to sift through the masses and find pieces for their next roster.

Mark Pope, who built this Sweet 16 Kentucky team almost entirely out of the transfer portal last year, is no stranger to the process. In fact, he’s already landed a transfer in Kam Williams, a freshman wing from Tulane. You can learn more about him here.

In addition to coaching the ‘Cats towards a historic tournament appearance this year, Pope and his staff have already made waves in the transfer market as well. Here’s a list of players they’ve either already contacted, or are expected to.

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Dedan Thomas Jr.

A point guard out of UNLV, Thomas Jr., at this stage, seems like the other most likely possibility to land in Lexington. With two years of eligibility left, a 16/5/2 average split and one of the best catch-and-shoot efficiencies in the country (95th percentile) Thomas Jr. would look to fill the hole left by Lamont Butler’s graduation and the ominous possibility of Kerr Kriisa’s transferring.

Either way, he’s a high-level scorer with a lot of room to grow; he’d have a spot on the roster either way. Thankfully for Kentucky, the interest isn’t a one-way ordeal. UK is reportedly one of his top schools, with a zoom meeting between Coach Pope and Thomas Jr. happening as soon as later this week. ‘Cats fans should keep a close eye on this one as the portal grows ever more populated.

Magoon Gwath

Gwath, a 7’0″ big from San Diego State and reigning Mountain West defensive player of the year, is a name that many have attached Kentucky too early on in this transfer portal process. Just about every report has the recruitment coming down to UK and Michigan, with no clear indicator of preference in either direction.

If he does land in Lexington, Gwath brings nearly three blocks per game, solid shooting numbers across the board, and three years of eligibility remaining to grow through. He’s easily one of the most intriguing prospects in the portal, and would be a pitch-perfect fit in Pope’s notoriously big-centered offense.

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Silas Demary Jr.

The recruitment of Demary Jr. is the most interesting, and fastest moving, on this list. Just a few days ago on a zoom call with the Georgia guard, Pope reportedly asked what his plans for dinner were, in jest. The joke led to a dinner with Demary and, apparently, a scholarship offer, too.

While that may seem like a hasty decision on the surface, a talent like Demary’s is a rare find in the transfer portal. In his sophomore year in the SEC, the 6’5″ guard averaged 14 points, four rebounds and three assists, leading the Bulldogs to wins over multiple ranked opponents, Kentucky included. His athletic frame and offensive upside make him a solid candidate to fill Lamont Butler’s shoes, and if Mark Pope has his way, it won’t be long before pen hits paper on this one.

Alvaro Folgueiras

While Robert Morris is a name that many Kentucky fans would be happy to forget, perhaps landing this forward transfer would work to wash away those memories. Alvaro Folgueiras nearly averaged a double-double for the Colonials this past season, and with two years of eligibility remaining, he could serve as a (potentially) solid replacement for Andrew Carr with added longevity. Not to mention his 41% stroke from long range, which fits the Pope offense to a tee.

Kentucky has been involved from the jump, and with that spot in the rotation inevitably opening up, Folgueiras finding his way to Rupp next season bares a distinct plausibility.

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Reed Bailey

Bailey, similar to Foulgueiras, is a stretch four from a smaller school who would bring high-level offensive capabilities to the Wildcats next season. While he only has one year of hoops left, Bailey nearly averaged 20 points per game last season on 48% shooting. Put lightly, he’s a lethal scorer.

And at 6’10”, there are few players of his size that move as quickly and efficiently as he does. Pairing Bailey with a center who can dominate the glass and hold down the fort defensively would give Kentucky the kind of versatility in the paint that leaves opposing teams helpless on either end. Luckily for ‘Cats fans, Kentucky is heavily rumored as a suitor so far.

Keyshawn Hall

“They’ve had number one draft picks, and they’re the number one fanbase in the country. It’s sold out every night,” said Hall, a soon-to-be senior guard from the UCF Knights. Hall (6’7″, 235) averaged 19 points and seven boards this past season, making himself a highly touted transfer in spite of arguably subpar shooting percentages.

Even so, the physical talent is hard to deny, and there are few offensive systems built to refine a player to the same extent as Mark Pope’s. With a zoom call set for Monday, March 31, it appears that Pope and his staff are ready to have a conversation with Hall, at the very least.

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Abdi Bashir Jr.

Bashir Jr., a Monmouth guard that has garnered at least a base level interest from Kentucky, called his potential suitors the “bluest of blue bloods.” A good sign for Kentucky folks who may be high on him as a prospect.

Averaging a 20/3/2 split, it’s hard not to be a little intrigued, even given his 37% shooting metric. Bashir has two years of eligibility remaining, too, giving him an edge over many players entering their final year in terms of improvement and longevity.

Taylor Bol Bowen

Florida State forward Taylor Bol Bowen, whom Kentucky is reported to have visit on April 1st, is one of the more versatile prospects to have entered the portal thus far.

At 6’10”, Bowen is an agile big with a reliable pull-up jumper, averaging almost as many rebounds as he does points. With two, if not more, pieces in their front court leaving after this season, a player like Bowen has obvious potential for the Wildcats.

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Josh Dix

While Dix’s ultimate destination may be the muddiest on this list, one interesting factor in his portal journey demands the BBN’s attention. When it was announced on social media that the 6’6 guard from Iowa was entering the transfer portal, Evan Turner, former NBA player and Big Ten extraordinaire, replied “He’s going to Kentucky.”

So while we don’t know much about Dix and his ties to Kentucky beyond that tweet, it’d be hard not to turn your head at such a statement. Dix’s scoring ability (15 PPG on 51% shooting) would be a welcome addition to any team, though, and it’s safe to assume that he’ll at least look the way of the blue and white.

Yaxel Lendeborg

UAB forward Yaxel Lendeborg may be the most broadly coveted transfer currently in the forward, exhibiting versatility on both ends of the floor and, standing at 6’9″, providing the best of both world as a sort of middle-man who fits in anywhere on the floor.

While Kentucky is already confirmed to be in contact, what team isn’t for a player who averaged 18/11/4? The battle for Lendeborg will likely be the most intense of them all, though the ‘Cats being involved this early is certainly a good sign.

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Far From Over

These are just the names that, so far, seem to be clouded in blue smoke. But with 1,200+ athletes in the portal already, where the team will actually end up is completely and utterly unpredictable.

If fans can trust anyone with the matter, it’s Mark Pope, who said in an NCAA Tournament press conference, “I think guys have seen the massive success that our transfers have had this year, and I expect that we’re going to have great success recruiting the portal.” Coach isn’t playing coy.

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