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Men's Basketball

Morning After: Kentucky vs. Arkansas

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Kentucky is playing like one of the best teams in the country, but Tuesday night was a different story. In a game where Kentucky grabbed more defensive rebounds than the opponent had rebounds, one wouldn’t expect for the game to be particularly close. However, with a 9 P.M. ET tipoff, the Cats came out very sluggish and sloppy and Kentucky got down as much as 15 early in the second half. The Wildcats were able to fight back with the help of the Big Blue Nation at Rupp Arena and win a game they probably didn’t deserve to win.

This team wanted this game and fought back and won with heart and toughness. A gritty win is still a win, let’s take a closer look at how the Cats clawed back and completed their biggest comeback of the season.

Herro of the Night

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Tyler Herro may have played one of the most offensively efficient games in
Kentucky basketball history against Arkansas. Herro finished the game with 29 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block. Herro singlehandedly kept Kentucky in the game after an atrocious first half and was a primary reason that they won.

With PJ the focus of the Arkansas defense, Herro was able to provide all of
his offensive production and more. Herro didn’t play great defense for the
first 25 min of the game but you can’t really complain when he is shooting 90%from the field and providing 42% of the team’s points.

Herro definitely didn’t lack confidence on Tuesday night, telling the world “I’m a bucket” as he sealed the game with two free throws.

https://twitter.com/barstooltweetss/status/1100613174355734528

Turnovers. Turnovers. Turnovers.

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The story of the first half was the sloppy play of the Cats and their turnovers. Kentucky looked like they had never played against a zone before Tuesday. At the end of the first half, Kentucky had 12 turnovers, while Arkansas had just 1, which resulted in an 11-point deficit. In my game preview, I noted that Arkansas is one of the best teams in the country in getting steals but most of Kentucky’s turnovers were just from poor decision
making.

The first half was a wake-up call to the Cats as they only turned the ball over 3 times and forced six Razorback turnovers in the second half. Kentucky’s second-half execution allowed for a much more efficient offense, as the Cats were able to outscore Arkansas 42-27 while shooting 54.6% from the field.

Second Half Defense

Kentucky played a very lackluster first half on the defensive end, giving up 37 points to a not-so-good Arkansas team. However, in the second half, it was clear that Kentucky came out and took pride in their defense.

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In the second half, the Cats held Arkansas to just 29 points in the second half and at one point only gave up 14 points in 13 minutes. Kentucky’s cranked u intensity and pressure forced the Razorbacks into two shot clock violations and a 31% clip from the field.

Arkansas guard Isaiah Joe, was defended by Tyler Herro and lit it up in the first half with 16 points, including 3 threes. In the second half, the UK coaching staff made an adjustment and put Ashton Hagans on Joe and was held to just three points (a late three-pointer). At one point, Hagans even refusing to come out for a breather. It seems like ELITE perimeter defender Ashton Hagans is back and is a very promising sign going forward.

When locked in, this Kentucky team is just special to watch on defense and is something they really take pride in.

Big Nick Energy

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With Reid Travis out it is no secret that the Cats need Nick Richards and EJ Montgomery to embrace the opportunity and contribute as much as they can. While EJ struggled, Nick provided a lot in the second half.

Nick Richards was BIG on Tuesday night, with 7 points, 15 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Richards had the toughest match-up of the night dealing with Arkansas big and All-SEC talent, Daniel Gafford. Outside of a few plays, Richards was able to keep Gafford in check and really challenge him, as he finished with 14 points and 8 rebounds both below his season
averages.

Calipari sees Nick Richards’ potential, and he has something that you can’t teach, size. Although Richards still has his moments, he is starting to put it together and is capable of offering things Reid Travis can’t. Richards still needs to improve on his hands made of rock, but he is showing promise of what he can be next year.


The game definitely didn’t go expected and showed room for improvement, but it also showed some bright spots. This team is special and is capable of winning in a variety of ways with different guys. On Saturday we will see what this team really is without Reid Travis in a physical game against Tennessee in Knoxville.

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Men's Basketball

Amari Williams Picked 46th by the Boston Celtics in the 2025 NBA Draft

Amari Williams is the second Kentucky player selected in the 2025 NBA Draft, as Boston takes the big man with their second round pick.

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Amari Williams is drafted by the Boston Celtics.
Wesley Hale | Imagn Images

Fan-favorite big man (and official Weetabix sponsor) Amari Williams has officially made it to the big leagues, taken by the Boston Celtics with the 46th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, via a trade with the Orlando Magic.

The selection makes Williams the second Wildcat to be scooped up from this year’s pool, following Koby Brea being picked by the Phoenix Suns just five picks earlier at the 41st spot. From Mark Pope’s first Kentucky team, two transfer athletes (thus far) in their last year of eligibility have achieved next-level dreams by way of the blue and white.

Williams, who averaged 11 points, nine rebounds, and three assists per game during his lone season in Lexington, will look to aid Boston in filling their recently vacant five-spot, left by the recently traded Kristaps Porzingis.

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As Wildcat fans surely know, not only can Williams battle with the best of them in the paint, but he can run the floor as efficiently as just about any guard, too. His versatility and sizable frame ensure a high ceiling in the NBA and, despite not every draft board seeing him selected, the league champions two years removed made the call when it mattered.

Hailing overseas from Nottingham, England, and spending his first four years of college basketball at the University of Drexel, Williams’ success is a testament not only to Kentucky Basketball’s immaculate tradition, but to his own incredible work ethic and intangible ability.

Cats fans will be sure to follow and support their point-center to the next level, as they always do. Go be great, Amari – all of BBN has your back.

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Men's Basketball

Koby Brea Selected to the Phoenix Suns With the No. 41 Overall Pick in the 2025 NBA Draft

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Tristan Pharis | KY Insider

Koby Brea arrived at Kentucky last season as one of the nation’s deadliest shooters, lived up to the billing, and reaped his rewards on Thursday night at the NBA Draft. The former Kentucky star is heading to the Phoenix Suns with the No. 41 overall pick

As a 6-foot-7 wing, Brea entered the 2025 NBA Draft as one of the most experienced prospects after spending four years at Dayton and a fifth at Kentucky during Mark Pope’s successful first season as head coach, where he became one of the best three-point shooters in all of college basketball.

Last season at Kentucky, the Bronx native averaged 11.6 points and 3.2 rebounds per game while shooting 43.5% from beyond the arc on nearly six attempts per game in 36 games, 16 of which were starts, showcasing his scoring ability in transition, off the catch, and via handoffs and screens.

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Not only did Brea achieve his own dreams of playing at the next level, but becomes a piece of history for Pope, becoming the first player drafted out of Kentucky during the Pope era.

Brea joins a rebuilding franchise with a notorious background for drafting Kentucky guards. Eric Bledsoe rings the bell, Tyler Ulis of course, and the Suns’ all-time leading scorer, Devin Booker obviously leads the pack.

Go be great Fuego!

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Men's Basketball

How a Call with Mark Pope Led Denzel Aberdeen to Kentucky

After winning a national title at Florida, Denzel Aberdeen committed to Kentucky without ever visiting campus—thanks to a revealing three-hour call with head coach Mark Pope.

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Chet White | UK Athletics

As a junior, Denzel Aberdeen was a key part of Florida’s national title run. But a certain phone conversation convinced him to leave his home state and head north to Lexington in hopes of experiencing that feeling once again.

He had never set foot in Lexington before deciding to become a Kentucky Wildcat — and he didn’t need to. All it took was one phone call — three hours long, on Easter Sunday — with head coach Mark Pope to convince him that he belonged in blue and white.

“Our phone call lasted about three hours, to be honest,” Aberdeen said, meeting with the media in Lexington for the first time earlier this week. “A lot of it was just getting to know me and getting to know the school, the university, getting to know him (Pope), how their style was, a lot of film. Once I saw that, I was like this looks like a great guy to play for.”

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The two went on to discuss Aberdeen’s role at Kentucky in more depth, including how Pope envisions him fitting into Kentucky’s new system — a system that, according to Aberdeen, is very similar, if not better than the one he just left.

“We had a lot of great players at Florida, especially the tall bigs. Bigs that love to run there, and we have just as much here; our bigs love to run, they play defense, and they play at a fast pace. So I think the things that we’ve got here are just as good, or even better,” Aberdeen said.

Averaging 7.7 points and nearly 20 minutes per game off the bench for the Gators last year, it’s clear to see what Aberdeen brings to the team: experience, versatility, calmness in the backcourt, and championship pedigree. Pope’s phone conversation with Aberdeen wasn’t just impactful on the court — it also speaks volumes to what he is doing off the court in pursuit of the goal he laid out in his introductory press conference: to hang banners.

This phone call wasn’t just about Denzel Aberdeen. It was a glimpse into Pope’s player-first, transparent coaching approach, which could define his era at Kentucky — and potentially make this season a special one, with Aberdeen playing another key role in a deep NCAA Tournament run.

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“I know the goal is to win No. 9,” he said. “I know the fans want that, we want that, all the staff and coaches want that. That pushes us. We know what we gotta do when we come here and put on that Kentucky jersey. Just playing for the University of Kentucky is a big thing. Being here is a blessing, and I can’t look back.”

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