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Men's Basketball

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

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The Kentucky Wildcats will take on Texas A&M Commerce at Rupp Arena on November 10, 2023.
© Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

After an impressive 40-point win in the season opener, the Kentucky Wildcats will retake the court this Friday against Texas A&M Commerce, the first of three games in the Wildcat Challenge presented by Kentucky Tourism.

While the Wildcats are coming off a blowout win, Texas A&M Commerce is coming off a blowout loss, losing by 32 points to No. 15 Texas A&M. Given that performance along with the fact that Texas A&M Commerce was picked to finish 7th in the Southland Conference, Kentucky shouldn’t have too much of an issue on Friday night.

That said, this will be Kentucky’s last game before a matchup against No. 1 Kansas in the Champions Classic in Chicago. Making it key to continue to play well, execute, and build up confidence.

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Let’s take a look at things to watch for in the matchup.

Continue to Play Through Tre Mitchell

Following Monday’s game, John Calipari mentioned a “tweak” in his postgame press conference and challenged the media to identify it. After watching the tape I, as well as other media members, have come to the conclusion that the tweak was to get the ball into the hands of Tre Mitchell.

Finishing with 9 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, Mitchell’s impact could be seen in many areas of the game, and the reason why is simple, his versatility. In the last two seasons, as good as he was, Oscar Tshiebwe had to remain in the paint to be effective. That is not the case for Mitchell.

Currently playing the five, allowing Kentucky to play a five-out style, he doesn’t stop moving whether he is screening, passing, or flashing. With the improved spacing, that creates opportunities for himself and others. Simply, good things happen.

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Shot Selection

One of the biggest criticisms of John Calipari in recent years is that of his “archaic offense”. Through the exhibition games and the season opener, that is MUCH improved. In Monday’s game, nearly 85 percent of Kentucky’s shots came from layups/dunks or three-pointers, leaving just 15 percent for mid-range shots.

Even of those ten mid-range attempts, only three came outside of the paint.

In 2023, that is winning shot selection. Like Calipari mentioned post-game, it’s about building habits, and that goes for himself too, and not reverting on offense.

Adou Thiero

Playing twenty minutes, Adou Thiero had a solid debut with 5 points, 7 rebounds, and a number of things that don’t show up on the stat sheet. However, his night was cut short after a hard fall midway through the second half. Shortly afterward, he took himself out of the game and went on to the locker room.

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Not much has been said, but one could conclude he may have suffered a concussion. “Adou has a headache, so it’ll be a day-to-day thing with him,” John Calipari said after the game.

More should be known at the pregame press conference later this week, and hopefully, we will receive a positive update. With an already depleted frontcourt, losing Adou, who is playing as a big, would certainly hurt.

No. 16 Kentucky Wildcats (1-0) vs. Texas A&M Commerce (0-1)

Time/Date: 7:00 PM EST on Friday, November 10th
Location: Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center in Lexington, Kentucky.
TV Channel: N/A, streaming only
Online Stream: SEC Network +, WatchESPN, and the ESPN app.
Announcers: TBA local announcers.
Radio: Tom Leach and Jack Givens have the UK radio network call on the UK Sports Radio Network.
Replay: WatchESPN and SEC Network (check local listings).
Rosters: UK | TAMCOM
Stats to Know: UK | TAMCOM

Odds: DraftKings Sportsbook has yet to release the odds for the game. ESPN’s matchup predictor has the Wildcats as a near guarantee to win, giving them a 96.8% chance to win. Bart Torvik gives Kentucky a similar chance at 97%.

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PredictionsBart Torvik picks the Wildcats to win easily, 79-59. DRatings has the Cats winning 81-62. Haslametrics is going with an 81-58 victory, Kentucky!

Also published on A Sea of Blue.

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BB Recruiting

Chin Coleman Talks About Kentucky’s 2024 Recruiting Class

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Kentucky Wildcats assistant coach Chin Coleman goes into detail about the 2024 recruiting class.
© Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

Kentucky basketball assistant coach Chin Coleman recently spoke with the media. While talking about the game, Coleman was asked about Kentucky’s current signees in the 2024 class, which now sits No. 2 overall, all of whom signed this in the early signing period.

Somto Cyril

“A freak of nature, Coleman says. He says he has to get better with his skill-set, but that he does things that no one else in the world can do: “He’s a freak of nature. Obviously, he’s gotta get better with his skill set, right, but he does things that no one in the world could do, not even guys in the NBA could do some of the stuff that he does in terms of pure shot-blocker, pure vertical spacer. He gets way over the rim, and that gives you something that a lot of teams don’t have.”

Boogie Fland

With Boogie Fland, he says he’s the best point guard in the country, and that he is expecting to give the keys to him when he arrives: “You talk about Boogie, who’s the best point guard in the country,” Coleman said. “We got the best, in Boogie, and we’re expecting Boogie to come in here and have the keys to the Lamborghini and drive it the right way.”

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Jayden Quaintance

Talking about Jayden Quaintance, Coleman calls him a “prodigy”: “You have a prodigy, who is probably–arguably one of the best players in the country regardless of class. ’24, ’25, it doesn’t matter,” Coleman said. “He too has some force and some physicality, but he’s very, very, very, skilled. He’s 6-10 245-250, and he plays like a guard,” Coleman said. “The crazy thing about it is, two years, think about that. Jayden Quaintance for two years, that’s unheard of.”

Travis Perry

Coleman also dove in on Travis Perry, saying, “Hometown kid. His parents obviously share some relationships with the university. All he knows is blue. He wanted to go here no matter how many people recruited him. This is where he wanted to be.”


On the recruiting class as a whole, he calls it a “unique” class that is different in its own way. Kentucky is on a hot streak in the 2024 class and beyond, and doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon.

Check out Coleman’s answer in the video below!

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BB Recruiting

Kentucky Targets Play In Made Hoops Derek Smith Invitational

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Kentucky basketball recruiting prospect AJ Dybantsa going up for a dunk,
NBC Boston

The city of Louisville had some of the nation’s top high school prospects in town this weekend at Saint Xavier High School for the Made Hoops Derek Smith Invitational. A few of the nation’s top high school teams were there as well, and they featured some very notable names.

Headlined by 2024 Kentucky signee Jayden Quaintance, who did not play in the event, there were a few major Kentucky targets in Louisville this weekend. The top player of 2025, AJ Dybantsa, who is a generational talent, put up a great game against Link Academy on Saturday, which features 2026 Texas signee Tre Johnson and 2025 Top-15 prospect Jasper Johnson.

Dybantsa finished with 25 points, and his teammate, 2026 Top prospect Tyran Stokes, is another major Kentucky target. He had 12 points. Jasper Johnson ended with 10 points for Link Academy, coming up short in the loss to Prolific Prep.

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Sunday featured Prolific Prep vs. St. Xavier, where Dybantsa struggled, but Tyran Stokes made up for it. Dybantsa is known as an athletic finisher, who is long and can really score. That wasn’t clicking on Sunday. Instead, it was Stokes who was playing very aggressively attacking the basket. He even threw down a few monster dunks. Stokes had a full head of steam attacking the rim all day. Kentucky’s staff was in attendance.

Dybantsa spoke after the game on Sunday to talk about Kentucky and what it means to him to be offered by Kentucky.

“It’s a blessing,” he said. “High-major school, you know, multiple NBA players, a lot of college championships.” He spoke about playing with other elite talent right now, and eventually at the next level, “I know how to blend well. I know how to get my teammates involved.”

Dybantsa also went on to about what he is looking for his role to be at the next level: “Like a point forward or just play shooting guard at my height.” He then talked about things he has to do to be his best at the next level: “Get all my ball-handling right, limit turnovers, and just making the right passes.”

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Dybantsa is a generational talent, and there was a lot of talent this weekend in Louisville. A notable win from the weekend was Fredrick Douglass’ close win against St. Frances, who is a nationally known team. A lot to like about this weekend in Louisville.

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Men's Basketball

Recap And Takeaways From Kentucky’s Stunning Loss To UNC Wilmington

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Kentucky Forward Justin Edwards reacts to an foul call at Rupp Arena.
© Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

Kentucky looked like a totally different team on Saturday when they faced UNC Wilmington at Rupp Arena, losing to a score of 80-73.

Kentucky played a very sloppy game, putting up a season-high 14 turnovers, also as a result of very good defense from UNC Wilmington.

Let’s dive into the takeaways from the game.

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Kentucky Ties A Season-High 14 Turnovers

Kentucky did not look like the team we have watched to start the season. Playing very sloppy, and making questionable passes, Kentucky ended up with 14 turnovers, which ties a season-high.

The Cats had 9 turnovers in the first half alone, cleaning them up a little bit in the second half. Kentucky’s assist-to-turnover ratio took a big hit tonight, with only dishing out 14 assists.

Kentucky Struggles From Three-Point Range

Kentucky’s offense had struggles all night, with turnovers a big part of it from making questionable passes. But, Kentucky also struggled from deep. Not putting up as much threes as usual, Kentucky only attempted 17, and hit 5 of them.

Besides Reed Sheppard, no one else could get it going from behind the arc. Sheppard was the team’s leading scorer, finishing with 25 points on 3 of 6 from deep, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and added 2 steals.

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Kentucky Looked Out Of Control

Kentucky had a lot of silly turnovers, especially in the first half, and played a very sloppy game on the offensive end, which ended up affecting the defensive side too.

There were times were Kentucky was forcing passes, which ended up in turnovers, but cleaned those up in the second half.

Overall, Kentucky looked like a much different team tonight, but will look to get their bearings after a week off, when they face Penn in Philadelphia on December 9th. No need to fret, BBN, we’ve got a good team.

Box Score

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