Men's Basketball

The Morning After: Kentucky vs. Ole Miss

Published

7 years ago

March 7, 2019

On Tuesday, Kentucky went to Oxford and faced off against a quality Ole Miss team in desperate need of a win, with the opportunity to prove that Saturday was a fluke. Despite not playing their best defense and some poor mistakes down the stretch, the Cats proved just that with an 80-76 win.

On Monday, Immanuel Quickley talked about the importance of coming out with energy and a “sense of urgency”, and that was on full display against the Rebels. The Rebels played one of their best games of the season in front of a very rowdy environment, but the Cats were able to feed off that energy and punch back on offense. Lets take a closer look at the Cat’s statement win.

Keldon Johnson and Tyler Herro Bounced Back

After each playing their worst game of the season on Saturday, Herro and Johnson had a BIG bounce back game and were the source of most of Kentucky’s offense. After combining for 8 turnovers and 13 points on 20% FG against Tennessee, they responded by combining for 42 points on 57% FG, 12 rebounds, five assists, and four steals.

Herro regained his road-warrior persona but it was an even better sign going forward that Johnson was as aggressive as he has been all season and was finally able to see the ball go through the hoop efficiently.

Herro and Johnson also bounced back on the defensive end with a much-improved intensity and were able to make an impact by being able to get into passing lanes and not giving up the straight-line drives they did against Jordan Bone.

Mean Muggin’ PJ Is Back

Reid Travis’ absence has affected PJ Washington a lot, as opponent’s defenses can put more pressure and more focus towards PJ. In last week’s match-ups, PJ averaged some underwhelming numbers with 11 points, 4.5 rebounds, 31% FG, 0% 3P.

In the first half, PJ struggled with foul trouble and didn’t even score. The second half was a different story as dominant PJ made a return, finishing with 13 points, 54.5% FG, four assists, and two blocks. PJ’s right hand hook is as money as a Tyler Herro free throw.

EJ Montgomery and Sophomore Nick Richards

With Reid out, Montgomery and Richards have had to try to pick up the slack and together they have been able to match Travis’s numbers.

EJ finished with 2 points (1-4 FG), 6 rebounds, and 4 blocks and was absolutely crucial down the stretch. During the final 10 minutes Ole Miss was making runs and trying to make it a one possession game, but Montgomery had different plans. Montgomery recorded three of his blocks in the last ten minutes, including two crucial blocks in the final two minutes. Montgomery’s defense definitely helped cover some of the Cat’s late mental errors in route to a win.

Sophomore Nick Richards made a solid appearance and in just 18 minutes, finished with 6 points (2-3 FG), 4 rebounds, 1 block. Richards still has hands of rock and makes mental mistakes, he was able to make plays when it mattered most. Richards fouled out with 2:36 left, but was consistent and gave an energy boost when was on the floor.

Tweaks

Get yer ‘Tweak’ shirts back out guys. In the post-game press conference Calipari said he made two tweaks following the 19-point loss to Tennessee.

1.More Movement for PJ

“We’ve got to get PJ on the other side of the floor. So, instead of just the left side facing, I wanted him on the other side. So, we did something to get him over there. Now, if you go back and watch the tape, you’ll know what I did and had the players do.”

In the second half, it was noticeably more apparent that PJ put himself in different positions and got the ball a lot more in the high, left, and right posts, giving him more freedom to score and to pass out for better looks. 2Small Ball Lineup.

2. Small Ball Lineup

While Calipari didn’t specifically mention this in the press conference a small ball lineup was definitely implemented on Tuesday night. With PJ going to the bench with foul trouble and with Reid still out this game, Kentucky was given the perfect opportunity to test it out. While the lineup wasn’t the best defensively, the Cats, and more specifically Keldon Johnson were more aggressive and drove it to the basket more frequently. “We worked on it in practice,” Keldon said after the game.

Naps

During the telecast, ESPN sideline reporter Laura Rutledge made a note that Kentucky players are now taking “30-minute naps” to recover from the gruesome schedule. “Trying to deal with it, they’ve all decided they need to sleep a little bit more,” said Rutledge, late in Tuesday night’s game. Ashton Hagans responded, “I never really took naps until I got to college, but I’ve learned that any type of rest is helpful.”

With the good win against Ole Miss, Calipari reached 300 wins and will look to make 301 on Saturday against the Florida Gators on Senior Day. Let’s home the Cats take a quality nap and get a good win in the last game of the regular season.

BB Recruiting

James Madison Transfer Justin McBride to Visit Kentucky on Tuesday

Published

6 days ago

April 17, 2026

Tristan Pharis

Kentucky will host James Madison transfer James McBride for a visit on Tuesday, after communicating with Mark Pope and the staff via Zoom video call.

James Madison Athletics

While much of the attention in the transfer portal goes to the top targets, you need to build a full roster. Still with starting spots to be claimed, Kentucky also looking at depth pieces. The most recent, James Madison transfer Justin McBride.

After talking to the staff this week via Zoom video call, McBride is scheduled to take a visit to Lexington on Tuesday.

A three-star transfer, ranked 201st overall according to 247Sports, McBride is being recruited by multiple power conference teams including Baylor and Cal, as well as SEC foes Mississippi State and Ole Miss.

Out of high school, McBride was a four-star recruit, ranked in the top 150 nationally.

“He is a versatile player who has that IT factor about him. You can tell by the passion he plays with that there is a huge chip on his shoulder,” 247Sports asked program director Vonzell Thomas said as he evaluated McBride out of high school. “What I like about his game is his will to win. He does whatever it takes to win and not every kid has that mentality.”

From Texas, McBride committed to Oklahoma State over the likes of Kansas and Arkansas, where he played alongside former Wildcat Bandon Garrison. There, he appeared in just 24 games, averaging just over five minutes per game.

Seeking a larger role, McBride entered the transfer portal and dropped to the mid-major level, committing to Nevada. With the Wolfpack he nearly tripled both his minutes and production, averaging 7.8 points and 4.2 rebounds in just under 20 minutes per game. His most recent stop, James Madison this past season, McBride had a breakout year, averaging 15.3 points and 5.6 rebounds on 40 percent shooting from deep.

Entering his senior season, the 6-7, 240 pound McBride is eyeing a jump back to the power conference level, prioritizing fit at his next stop.

Will that be Kentucky?

McBride has good size and athleticism, and has an inside-out style of game. Meaning he can work his away around the paint, but can also space the floor with his shooting, grading fairly well as a catch and shoot guy. Overall, he ranks in the 97th percentile in scoring volume. That said, there is come consistency to be lacked on the defensive side.

BB Recruiting

Multiple Transfers Meet With Kentucky on Wednesday

Published

2 weeks ago

April 8, 2026

Tristan Pharis

The transfer portal is active, and Zoom stock is going up as college coaches are video chatting around the clock to build their rosters, including Kentucky.

On Wednesday, Mark Pope and the Kentucky staff added three more names to the Zoom list.

Alex Wilkins (Guard, Furman), 4⭐️, 46th-ranked transfer

Class: Sophomore
Physicals: 6-5, 175 lbs
Last season averages: 17.8 PPG, 4.7 APG, 46% FG, 32.8% 3P

An underrated prospect coming out of high school, Wilkins splashed on the scene this year at Furman. As a freshman, he led his team to the NCAA Tournament, averaging 17.8 points and 4.7 assists and earning second team All-SoCon honors.

There were few players as critical to their team’s success as Wilkins, leading the SoCon in possession usage (34.4%) and shot usage (31.7%). That does lend some explanation to his poor shooting splits and turnover concerns (3.8 turnovers per game).

A quick, wirey guard, Wilkins is a capable scorer at all three levels, and can create for his teammates. However, he needs to add some muscle for power conference competition, and needs to have more consistent effort on the defensive end.

A freshman, those are both correctable things.

Isaac Celiscar (Forward, Yale), 4⭐️, 84th-ranked transfer

Class: Junior
Physicals: 6-6, 210 lbs
Last season averages: 13.2 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3.2 APG, 57.3% FG, 40.7% 3P

Isaac Celiscar is one of the most efficient, versatile players in the transfer portal.

The first takeaway, averaging 13.2 point per game with 57.3 percent shooting, he is extremely efficient on limited opportunities. Shooting nearly 41 percent from deep, he is a threat from deep as well. That efficiency carries over to his passing, as he averages more than three assists per game, on just 1.3 turnovers per game.

Celiscar grades out as a glue-guy with great offensive skills and good feel for the game, but he does have limitations in terms of his athleticism and shot creation.

Jalen Cox (Guard, Colgate), 3⭐️ , 149th-ranked transfer

Class: Senior
Physicals: 6-3, 180 lbs
Last season averages: 17.9 PPG, 5.3 APG, 5.0 RPG, 52.1% FG, 36.5% 3P

Jalen Cox is the lowest ranked player Kentucky has reached out to, but the Wildcats need depth and Cox is a experienced guard with proven production.

Averaging 17.9 points and 5.3 assists (2.0+ assist-to-turnover ratio) per game on 52 percent shooting from the field, Cox is a versatile and efficient offensive player. He has also multiple conference All-Defense selections too, making him a two way player.

The biggest concern with Cox is his athletic ceiling and how that translates to power conference competition. However an experienced two way player is a great rotation piece.

BB Recruiting

Top Five Transfer Paulius Murauskas Moves Up Call, Talks With Kentucky on Wednesday

Published

2 weeks ago

April 8, 2026

Tristan Pharis

Kentucky met with Saint Mary's transfer Paulius Muruaskas, one of the top forwards in the transfer portal, on Wednesday and is looking to schedule a visit for him to come to Lexington.

Saint Mary's Athletics

Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats are as busy as anyone in the transfer portal. On Wednesday, they met with their biggest fish of this transfer portal cycle so far, Paulius Murauskas.

Originally scheduled for Thursday, the Wildcats met with Murauskas via Zoom video call on Wednesday, per source.

Currently ranked 4th overall in 247Sports transfer rankings, the top-ranked forward, Murauskas is the prototypical modern basketball player. Good size at 6-foot-8, 235 pounds, with the ability to create for himself and others, has a good handle, and overall good feel for the game.

Murauskas started his collegiate career at Arizona after some professional experience in Lithuania. Playing just five minutes per game with the Wildcats as a freshman, Murauskas transferred to Saint Mary’s, where he has flourished and earned All-Conference honors the last two seasons.

This past season, Murauskas averaged 18.4 points and 7.6 rebounds, on 48.2 percent shooting from the field and 33.3 percent from deep. As for his weaknesses, he is not super athletic, and he does need to be more consistent with his shot.

Originally thought to follow former Saint Mary’s head coach Randy Bennett to Arizona State, Murauskas is exploring all options. Following the Zoom, Kentucky is trying to get him on campus for a visit in the near future.