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Kentucky vs Team Germany: Postgame Recap GLOBL JAM Edition

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UK Athletics

On Wednesday afternoon, Kentucky fans got their first look at the 2023-24 Kentucky basketball team, playing against Team Germany in GLOBL JAM in Toronto, where the Cats came away with an 81-73 win.

There are many things to talk about, so let’s recap what went on with the main key points to take away.

Adou Thiero

One of the most intriguing developments from Wednesday’s game, Adou Thiero looked significantly better. Thiero was able to attack the rim with ease on offense, looking much stronger as well, in large part to adding a reported 30 pounds of muscle since the arriving on campus last summer.

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On defense, Thiero looked the part as well, highlighted by an amazing block at the end of the first half. Overall, Thiero arguably played the best all-around game on the team, pouring in 9 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steal.

It was only one game, but this could be a promising year for Adou Thiero.

Offensive Changes, More Modern Offense…

Another very noticeable aspect of the game, Kentucky seemed to have had a more modern approach to their offense. Instead of in the last few years, where there is a clear lack of spacing leading to a clogged interior, the Wildcats were more perimeter-oriented and even ran some 5-out action.

This season, expect Kentucky to implement more of the dribble-drive, which their personnel allows. On paper and in one performance, this group is a run-and-gun, drive-and-finish type team, with the complimentary shooters, plus spacing is better leading to better shot selection. Calipari’s system is fit for this roster, and new assistant John Welch helps provide his insight on game plans, known as one an early innovator of the dribble-drive offense.

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Take a look at the shot chart from Wednesday, which features just two long two-point jump shots.

Veterans Led The Way

Kentucky has a very young team this year, but that’s not to be taken for a lack of talent. In their first game together, the veterans led the way. Antonio Reeves and Tre Mitchell led all scorers, combining for over half of Kentucky’s points, followed by DJ Wagner a close third in the scoring column.

  • Reeves: 24 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, and 1 steal.
  • Mitchell: 20 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block.
  • Wagner: 16 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block.

It’s clear Kentucky won big by getting Antonio Reeves back and adding the much-needed stretch four in West Virginia transfer Tre Mitchell, but the freshmen held their own.

To add to the appeal of the team, Kentucky’s freshman backcourt could shape up to be dangerous. DJ Wagner’s ability to finish at the rim and three-level scoring, plus Rob Dillingham’s shiftiness and creativity with the ball in his hands is very fun to watch. Both were on display on Wednesday.


Kentucky’s first outing is a great starting point, with some good that will translate to better competition and some things to learn from. Next up, Kentucky will take on Canada on Thursday at 8 P.M. ET, and on tape-delay on CBS Sports Network at 12 A.M. ET.

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Check out highlights from the opening-game win below.

BB Recruiting

Top 25 Transfer Otega Oweh Commits to Kentucky

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Oklahoma Sooners transfer Otega Oweh has comitted to play basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats.
NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

Following Lamont Butler’s commitment to Kentucky on Friday, the Wildcats have received another commitment less than 24 hours later. This time Oklahoma transfer Otega Oweh, he announced on his social media.

This comes after Oweh visited Lexington earlier this week, with reports coming out that his recruitment could be wrapped up quickly after.

Oweh is a top 25 transfer according to 247Sports, 38th by EvanMiya, and 55th by ESPN. Listed at 6-5, 210 pounds, Oweh is a strong and physical guard. His strength and athleticism have been a strength dating back to high school, which allows him to impact the game defensively, and also to get to the rim and thrive in transition opportunities.

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In two years at Oklahoma, the area that Oweh has significantly improved in has been his shooting. As a freshman, he shot just 25 percent from three, on just four attempts for the season, to 37.7 percent as a sophomore, making 20 of his 53 attempts. Most of that success comes from catch-and-shoot opportunities, where he rates in the 87th percentile. His ability to shoot off the dribble is the polar opposite, rating in just the 4th percentile.

Oweh is a two-way player with two years of eligibility remaining, while he will bring experience, there is still room for development with NBA upside. While he may not be a primary option, he’s certainly a player that can impact the game.

Oweh is now Kentucky’s third addition from the transfer portal and sixth player overall. A handful of top transfers are visiting, or currently visiting, Kentucky this weekend. The staff is hopeful a few join the roster.

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BB Recruiting

REPORT: San Diego State Transfer Lamont Butler Commits to Kentucky

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San Diego State transfer Lamont Butler has committed to play basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats.
Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Amidst anxiety from many of the Big Blue Nation, the Kentucky basketball program has added another player to the roster. On Friday Lamont Butler, a consensus top-60 transfer from San Diego State, committed to Kentucky, reported by On3.

Kentucky has been in contact with Butler since he entered the portal earlier this week. On Friday morning, four members of the Kentucky staff took a visit to Las Vegas, which we know now was to see Butler. It was enough to secure his commitment.

Coming out of a high school as a three-star prospect, Butler has been a true case of development. In four seasons with San Diego State, he improved his numbers year after year. As a three-year starter for the Aztecs, Butler averaged 7.7 points (41.2% FG), 2.6 assists, and 2.3 rebounds. He also received Mountain West All-Defense honors three straight seasons, winning the Defensive Player of the Year award this past year.

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Butler was a star for the San Diego State team that made it to the National Championship game in 2023, even hitting the buzzer-beater to send them to the title game. He will provide Kentucky with proven experience and the knowledge of what it takes to win.

As his defensive accolades show, Butler makes his biggest impact on the defensive side of the ball. However, he plays well within a system and is a really good passer for a guard who plays primarily off the ball, with a 21 percent assist rate. He also grades fairly well analytically on spot-up shots and in pick-and-roll situations as the ball handler.

With Butler on the roster, there are still many spots to fill, especially some spots for “dudes”. Fortunately, many big names are expected to be in Lexington this weekend for the visit.

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BB Recruiting

Kentucky to Host Multiple Top Transfers This Weekend

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Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats are hosting multiple top transfers this weekend for visits, looking to add to their roster.

With the deadline for players to enter the portal coming up on May 1st, Kentucky nearly has all their options on the table. Now two weeks since taking the job, Mark Pope has expressed interest in nearly two dozen names and has been keying in on some top names in the portal.

As of writing this article, top 25 transfer Otega Oweh (Oklahoma), is currently on a visit to Lexington, with three more players set to visit this weekend. There’s a good chance that some of those visits turn into commitments.

Let’s take a look at those names.

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Deivon Smith – Guard, Utah

Physicals: 6’0, 173 lbs
Stats: 13.3 PPG, 7.1 APG, 6.3 RPG, 46.% FG, 40.8% 3P
Ranking: 10th (Evan Miya), 38rd (247Sports)

Kentucky has had just three players record a triple-double in program history. Deivon Smith recorded five triple-doubles this past season alone, the second-most all-time for a single season in NCAA history.

While undersized, he is one of the best all-around guards in the country, as his numbers show. It’s still early, but Kentucky getting the first visit is significant. St. John’s and Texas Tech have also been mentioned here.

Andrej Stojaković – Guard, Stanford

Physicals: 6’7, 190 lbs
Stats: 7.8 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 40.9% FG, 32.7% 3P
Ranking: 183rd (Evan Miya), 51st (247Sports)

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Stojakovic is the son of former NBA All-Star, Peja Stojakovic. A familiar name for Kentucky fans from his high school recruitment. Stojakovic is a terrific shooter, and a top-25 recruit in the 2023 class.

On Thursday, Stojakovic cut his list to just three schools: California, UNC, and Kentucky. As a West Coast product, California was a school that showed interest when he was in high school, and so did Mark Pope when he was at BYU. Pope has made Stojakovic a priority, he could seal the deal this weekend.

Aidan Mahaney – Guard, Saint Mary’s

Physicals: 6-3, 180 lbs
Stats: 13.9 PPG, 2.6 APG, 38.6% FG, 35.5% 3P
Ranking: 96th (Evan Miya), 14th (247Sports)

One of the best guards in the portal. As a lead guard for Saint Mary’s, he displayed a good sense of playing under control, setting himself up and others. That said, his numbers were rather inefficient as the primary scoring option for the Gaels and shooting more than half of his shots from three. There are concerns about his playing against bigger guards.

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Mahaney visited UConn Thursday and it looks to be a race between Creighton, Virginia, UConn, and Kentucky.

Andrew Carr – Forward, Wake Forest

Physicals: 6-11, 230 lbs
Stats: 13.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 52.6% FG, 37.1% 3P
Ranking: 33rd (Evan Miya), Not Listed (247Sports)

A near 7-footer who is efficient and can stretch the floor, shooting over 37 percent from three, is a player that Mark Pope would love to add to his roster. That describes Andrew Carr who has played two years at each Delaware and Wake Forest and is looking to go elsewhere for his last season of eligibility.

Carr is coming off a visit to Texas Tech and will visit Villanova after he visits Lexington this weekend.

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