Connect with us

Men's Basketball

Some Yapping after Kentucky’s 73-66 win over Auburn

Published

on

This Kentucky/Auburn series has become a bit of a rivalry in the SEC. Bruce Pearl has done a hell of a job with the Tigers, making them an SEC contender and a (for now) rival to Kentucky. The Cats were able to avenge their loss in Auburn and beat the Tigers 73-66.

Here are my thoughts on the game.

Free Throws

The game on February 1st at Auburn was a foul fest and the free throw disparity definitely favored the Tigers. Today the Cats shot 11 more free throws than the Tigers, making 27 of them. Auburn was 13/22 from the line.

Advertisement

This wasn’t “home cookin” though by any stretch of the imagination. The Tigers shot 34 threes, which is eleven more than they attempted in the previous game.

Guards didn’t play well but it didn’t hurt Kentucky

Ashton Hagans, Immanuel Quickley, and Tyrese Maxey were a combined 10/33 from the field and 1/11 from behind-the-arc. Hagans had the worst game of the three, but Quickley and Maxey combined for 35 points.

Although Kentucky will not win anything in March if the guards play like this, it’s still very pleasing to get a win of this magnitude with very inconsistent guard play.

Turnovers were not an issue

The Cats have struggled with turning the ball over in the past few games, but today that wasn’t an issue. Kentucky only had seven turnovers.

Advertisement

To make this even better, Ashton Hagans only had one turnover. For a guy that has been turning the ball over a lot since the first matchup between these two teams, the fact he only committed one today is very impressive.

Remember, a big problem in Kentucky’s Elite Eight matchup with Auburn was Hagans and turnovers.

Bruce Pearl…my goodness

I honestly don’t know how Bruce Pearl doesn’t pass out on the sideline. The man sweats so much and refuses to take off his jacket. Oh wait, he did once, then put it right back on.

I’ve never seen a guy that can move up and down the sideline, screaming and yelling, and sweating that much consistently without almost falling over.

Advertisement

Kentucky claims its 49th SEC title

With this win, Kentucky has won the SEC regular season title for the 49th time, something they haven’t done since the 2016-2017 campaign.

This is huge because it guarantees a 1-seed in the SEC Tournament, a double-bye, and the Cats will be playing their first game in the Tournament on Friday early instead of playing the late game.

What Now?

Kentucky has won seven games in a row and has only two games left on the schedule. Tuesday night against Tennessee and then a trip to Gainesville in a week for the regular season finale.

After the way this season started, this has become a very impressive team. For people that say Cal can’t coach, this is a perfect example of why he can.

Advertisement

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.

Published

on

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Men's Basketball

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

Published

on

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.

Advertisement

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!

Advertisement
Continue Reading

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.

Published

on

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.”

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

“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.”

Continue Reading

Trending