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Men's Basketball

Morning After: What Happened Last Night?

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Well we got used to the whole winning thing and then the Cats decided to drop a turd and lose at home to a Tennessee team that isn’t great.

Kentucky got up 17 during the second half and blew the lead. Kind of a trend this season, isn’t it? For some reason, even after the previous blown leads, Kentucky didn’t put the pedal to the floor. Instead, they played timid with no energy and Tennessee played fearless and aggressive, giving the Cats their first loss in a little over a month.

I didn’t see this coming and in fact I predicted the Cats wouldn’t lose another game all year. Maybe they saw that and wanted to prove me wrong for some reason?

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I have a lot of mixed emotions. I tweeted that Kentucky was the “best team in the country” simply because they have been playing like it and were when I tweeted it. As soon as I sent it, I said “man, I hope this ages well.” It didn’t. At all.

At least it happened before it matters

Don’t get me wrong, this loss matters, but not as much as it will in two weeks. I’m sure we would all rather blow a lead and lose knowing we’ll see them play again rather than knowing the season is over. But, this loss will definitely hurt.

Seeding

I heard people saying Kentucky was moved to the 2-line, but I’m not seeing it anywhere. But, Kentucky definitely had a shot at it if they won out. After last night, Kentucky basically threw a 2-seed out the window.

We don’t have the luxury of being Duke, so Kentucky will definitely drop at least a seed line. My guess is Kentucky will be a 4-seed come Friday.

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“Fulky”

I’ve seen this kid play twice and already don’t like him. First of all who has hair that flops that much and wears a girls headband? Second of all, who has all of that and is good at basketball? What the hell?

But, “Fulky” crushed Kentucky tonight. He had 27 points, six rebounds, and was 10-15 from the floor. He also out-hustled Nick Richards all night. Something we’ve seen quite a bit.

Ashton Hagans

I hate to be mean, but Ashton Hagans is not good. At all.

Hagans had 11 points, four assists, and three turnovers. That stat line from your point guard will not win you many games and it certainly hurt Kentucky.

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If he had about six more assists, Kentucky wins the game easily. With the way he plays, there is no way he should only have four assists.

Rebounding

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. If you win the rebounding battle you probably win the basketball game. Well guess what, Kentucky didn’t win the rebounding battle.

The Vols out-rebounded the Cats 31-26. That should never, ever, ever happen.

Did I say that should never happen?

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Should we lose again before the tournament starts?

Hell no. And if you seriously think losing before the postseason is a good idea, you’re an idiot.

Rick Barnes has a winning record against Cal

This is a stat that kind of blows my mind.

Since 2015, John Calipari is 5-8 against Rick Barnes and is 7-8 agains him all-time.

Yikes.

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What now?

This loss sucks and will hurt Kentucky mightily. The one thing they could do is go to Gainesville and beat Florida by about 30. It won’t happen, but it would really help.

The Cats have been trending in the right direction for a month and were the hottest/best team in the country until last night.

Crush Florida, go win the SEC Tournament, and everything is good. But, for now, this really sucks.

And what’s the deal with freakin’ Tennessee!?

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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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