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RECAP: Three Takeaways from Kentucky’s Narrow Win Over Arkansas

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Ugonna Onyenso

On Saturday, Kentucky rebounded after a very disappointing blowout loss against South Carolina on the road. The ‘Cats had completely lost their spark offensively, and it was a worst-case scenario for John Calipari and company. It seemed like that would be on repeat against Arkansas, as Kentucky only managed to score 63 points.

That being said, Kentucky avoided the major upset, and here’s how.

Antonio Reeves dominates in Fayetteville (again)

Last season, Antonio Reeves had his “Kentucky moment” by scoring 37 points against Arkansas on the road. On Saturday, he was yet again the best player on the floor. In a team-high 37 minutes of play, Reeves scored 24 points, shooting 4-8 from beyond the arc.

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Additionally, Reeves had four points and two steals in the win. Like the rest of the team, Reeves struggled to get going early. However, as the game went along, the fifth-year senior began to get hot as he lit it up shooting the ball.

Reeves has now scored 20+ points in 10 games this season, and he is averaging 20.3 points per game in conference play. He has quickly proven himself to be one of the best scorers in the SEC, if not the best. Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht is Reeves’ only real competition.

Reed Sheppard comes through in the clutch

When Kentucky needed him the most, Reed Sheppard came through in the clutch and ultimately put the stamp on this Kentucky win. The Laurel County native also gave us some moments that were eerily similar to that of his father, like this awesome transition flush.

Sheppard would finish with 14 points on 5-12 (2-3 3PT) shooting, tying his season-high for total points in an SEC game. He also finished with 14 points in Kentucky’s win over Florida in the SEC opener. Along with that, Sheppard recorded five rebounds, five steals, and four assists as well.

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Just an awesome all-around performance.

The ‘Cats proved they can win in a low-scoring dog fight

It’s no secret that Kentucky has one of the best offenses in the country. Scoring 88.5 points per game, the ‘Cats are used to chasing the century mark night in and night out. The South Carolina game was really the first time that Kentucky struggled offensively, and part of that carried over into Saturday night.

The ‘Cats started the game shooting 1-12 and down by double-digits, and it seemed like Eric Musselman was going to win five out of six games against Kentucky. From there, it was up to Kentucky to scratch and claw their way back into the game. Then, that’s what they did. Of course, the ‘Cats would secure their 15th W of the season.

In March, there is bound to be a game where Kentucky struggles to score again. In the NCAA Tournament, you face the best of the best, including the best defenses college basketball has to offer. Plus, shots may just straight up not fall for Kentucky. However, Saturday’s win proved that Kentucky can win in ugly fashion. This will be a scary team for the rest of the field come Madness time.

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Men's Basketball

Kentucky Basketball Commit Impesses at McDonald’s All-American Game

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Kentucky basketball commit Malachi Moreno is a McDonald's All American
McDonald's All-American Game

Fresh off of winning a Kentucky Basketball State Championship Saturday night, Malachi Moreno had no time to rest. After winning the State Championship, Moreno flew out the morning after to Brooklyn.

Just a few short months ago, Moreno was selected to participate in the McDonald’s All-American game. Being chosen to play in this game is considered the highest honor a high school basketball player can achieve. However, he wasn’t content with just being chosen to play in this game. He wanted to show everyone that he belongs in this crowd with the best of the best.

Playing against the elite of the elite, there was never a moment in which Moreno looked as if he didn’t belong. Although Moreno and Team East didn’t come away with a victory, he looked nothing short of impressive all night long.

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In only 16 minutes of game time, Moreno finished with 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 assist. He also added 2 blocked shots on the game. Moreno, who is listed at 6’10, moves very well for his size. He has an elite feel around the rim, which is tough to find for a young big man like himself. However, his best attribute may be his shot blocking ability, as shown here.

Moreno is a very gifted shot-blocker who has a knack for timing his jump when blocking shots. This will help him fill a much-needed role next season for a Kentucky team that at times struggled defensively, more specifically with blocking shots.

His night didn’t end there, he also showcased his ability to step outside and shoot the 3 ball.

He only attempted 11 3’s during his Senior High School season, finishing at 3/11 for 27.3%, but he proves here that if left open. He won’t hesitate to let it fly.

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At the practices, On3 named him their second-best performer.

“Malachi Moreno flew to the McDonald’s All-American events this morning straight off winning a Kentucky state championship last night. This scrimmage was his first participation of the week, and he made his presence felt immediately. Moreno has legit size, listed at 7-foot-0, with good length. He also has good hands, which helps his play around the basket. Moreno is a strong rebounder, cleaning up the boards in traffic. He also had a game-clinching block at the rim, putting it off the backboard. Offensively, he plays as a roll man and out of the dunker spots. It found his spots and played within himself, and he had some very loud finishes.

Moreno is one of three exciting freshmen joining the Wildcats next season; alongside him are 4-stars Jasper Johnson and Acaden Lewis. These three highlight an exciting new young core for Mark Pope and company.

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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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