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Things to Know Following Kentucky’s Double OT Loss to Michigan State

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UK Athletics

Sitting at No. 4 in the country with a 2-0 record, the Kentucky Wildcats looked impressive after one week – albeit against less competition.

The Wildcats faced their first true challenge on Tuesday night against Michigan State in the Champions Classic. With Oscar Tshiebwe announced to make his season debut, putting the Wildcats back at full strength for the first time this season, it was an opportunity to make a statement.

However, the Wildcats fell short 86-77 in double overtime, but the final doesn’t tell the full story.

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The Spartans entered Tuesday’s contest coming off a one-point loss to No. 2 Gonzaga, a game where they proved their defense was the real deal, and they brought the same level of defense on Tuesday.

Simply put, Kentucky struggled to find any offensive rhythm and looked like a shell of what they showed in the first two games of the season, shooting just 38.6 percent from the field and 28 percent from three.

While Oscar Tshiebwe had his typical 22-point, 18-rebound double-double, only three other players scored more than 5 points. Not to mention, Kentucky’s two leading scorers, CJ Fredrick and Antonio Reeves shot just 3-14 from the field.

Despite that, the Wildcats controlled the majority of the game, leading for over 33 minutes compared to just 7 minutes led by Michigan State. As Tom Izzo said after the game, “it’s about what you do at the end.”

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Let’s take a deeper look at the disappointing loss.

Free Throws

Up 61-60 with 15.8 seconds left in regulation, then up 70-69 with 7.6 seconds left in the first overtime, the Wildcats had two great opportunities to close out the game with free throws.

However, in both cases, Cason Wallace made just 1 of 2 and the Spartans answered with a basket to extend the game.

Under three minutes in regulation through the end of the game, the Wildcats shot just 7-12 (58.3%) from the free throw line, which isn’t too far off from their season average. In fact, Kentucky’s season average is just 60.5 percent, which is ranked 309th of 352 D-1 teams.

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For a team that shot over 50 percent from three entering Tuesday’s contest and has several capable shooters, the Wildcats must improve on their free throws to pull out close games.

Offensive Struggles

Entering Tuesday night’s game, Kentucky was ranked top three in offensive efficiency according to KenPom. With that said, it did not look like it.

In their first two games, without the paint presence that Oscar Tshiebwe is, Kentucky put up an average of 77 points. In those games, the offense looked to have much better spacing, which allowed them to score inside and out, shooting over 50 percent from the field and three.

On Tuesday night, the offense looked much like it did last season. The reason for that could be that they reverted to what they knew after not practicing as a full team for six weeks.

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As proof of that, three of Kentucky’s double-digit scorers were returnees – Toppin, Tshiebwe, and Wheeler – also showing that the stage may have been too big for some this early. As for the rest – Collins-Fredrick-Livingston-Reeves-Ware – combined for just 13 points on, shooting just 4-19 (21%) from the floor.

On a side not, one of the more perplexing things from the game is why Fredrick and Reeves – Kentucky’s two leading scorers – did not play together more to help with the struggling offense. In fact, they played together for just 4 minutes and 39 seconds.

It is much more difficult to stop Fredrick, Reeves, and Tshiebwe together, rather than just two of them.

Late Game Execution

Up two with less than 5 seconds left in regulation, then up 2 with less than 10 seconds in overtime, chances were very high for a win barring a collapse. Yet, that is what happened TWICE, as Kentucky allowed two wide-open layups to Michigan State and allowed them to tie the game.

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It wasn’t just defensive lapses, but the offense as well.

With 5:23 to go in regulation, Kentucky led 56-52 after a CJ Fredrick 3-pointer. Over the final 15 minutes (including two OTs), the Wildcats made just 5 of 19 shots and had seven turnovers and three assists. In the second overtime alone, Kentucky jumped out to 76-73 a minute in, but missed their last six shots as the Spartans went on a 13-1 run to end the game.

Down the stretch, when it mattered, Michigan State executed and Kentucky didn’t.

John Calipari made sure to take the blame for that as well, “When it comes to late-game situations, that’s on me as a coach. Let’s get that figured out.”

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Don’t Jump Ship

It is a disappointing loss, but it was to a quality team, in double overtime, and in November. After the game, Tom Izzo had a message for the Big Blue Nation, “Kentucky fans, don’t jump off the ship. That’s a really good team.”

Looking at the schedule in the preseason, one would think that Kentucky would probably go 1-1 between Michigan State and Gonzaga. With the game against Gonzaga on Sunday, this team also has a chance to redeem themselves.


Kentucky will look to bounce back against South Carolina State on Thursday night at 7:00 PM EST on the SEC Network.

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Men's Basketball

Former Wildcats Headline Thunder-Pacers NBA Finals Matchup

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Cason Wallace and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Kevin Jairaj | IMAGN

The NBA Finals tip off with familiar faces on both sides in the first-ever series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers.

For the first time since 2012, when the Thunder were led by Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City is in the NBA Finals. The franchise has the opportunity to earn its first title in Oklahoma City since the team’s rebrand and relocation in 2008.

As for the Pacers, it’s the franchise’s first NBA Finals appearance since 2000. Indiana is seeking its first championship in team history. 

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Oklahoma City’s superstar and crowning 2024-25 league MVP has continued his season-long dominance into the postseason. Averaging 31.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game.

Gilgeous-Alexander impressed as the Thunder beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 4-1, as he led all but one game of the series in scoring. 

After an underwhelming performance in Game 3, Gilgeous-Alexander responded with a near triple-double performance, posting 40 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds. Oklahoma City defeated the Timberwolves narrowly, 128-126.

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The Thunder blew out Minnesota in Games 4 and 5 thanks to back-to-back massive performances by Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 34 and 40 points, respectively. Clinching his first bid to the NBA Finals. 

At midcourt after their Game 5 victory, OKC hoisted the Western Conference Trophy in front of their home crowd. Gilgeous-Alexander walked off with the Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson Trophy for his Western Conference Finals heroics.

Cason Wallace

Second-year pro Wallace is the Thunder’s ultimate plug-and-play contributor. Although Wallace isn’t a stat-stuffing machine like Gilgeous-Alexander, his defensive prowess stands out.

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In five games, the Kentucky product averaged 25.8 minutes per game off the bench. Wallace was often assigned to guard Wolves superstar Anthony Edwards. 

The 6-foot-4 guard averaged five points, 3.6 assists, 2.4 rebounds, and nearly a block and steal per game. 

Known for his hustle, Wallace excels at imposing himself on defense despite commonly matching up with larger opponents. His ability to disrupt the Timberwolves’ offense created offensive opportunities, which coincided with his pass-first mentality on offense.

Wallace could be found stealing from 7-foot-1 Frenchman Rudy Gobert in the post and nailing 3-pointers on the other end.

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In Game 5, Wallace scored only five points but had two rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Helping OKC seal a commanding 124-94 victory to punch their ticket to the NBA Finals.

Isaiah Jackson

The tallest former Wildcat out of the bunch, Jackson stands at 6-foot-9 as a physical off-the-bench presence for Indiana.

Unfortunately, the big man won’t be available to play in the NBA Finals. In the fifth game of the season, Jackson suffered a season-ending Achilles tear on Nov. 1 in a matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. 

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This season Jackson made six appearances for the Pacers, including a start against the Boston Celtics early in the season. Posting seven points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.

Despite the injury, the four-year Pacer would still receive a ring if Indiana wins for his short-lived contribution this season.

Game 1 of the NBA Finals tips-off on Thursday, June 5, at 8:30 p.m. ET.

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Men's Basketball

The 2025-26 Cats Consensus: It’s Time for Banner Number Nine

Every new and returning Wildcat shares the same dream: bringing a championship trophy to Lexington once more.

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Mark Pope in a crowd of fans at Big Blue Madness
Tyler Ruth | UK Athletics

“We are here to win banners.”

While just about everything Mark Pope said at his introductory press conference went viral in one way or another, that aforementioned declaration stood out amongst his crowd of quotes like no other to a fanbase more than a decade removed from a national championship.

To the big blue nation, Coach Pope’s words last spring were a much needed battle cry. Now, as he’s set to enter his second year at the helm, Pope has made sure the team he assembled for the 2025-26 season shares the same hunger.

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It begins on a basic level, with players across the board throwing the number “9” around on social media in posts, replies, and commitments. Much like the Kentucky faithful, the newest roster to roll through Lexington isn’t afraid to make reference to the top task at hand.

For (likely) starting point guard Jaland Lowe, it’s an opportunity he “can’t miss.” “See y’all soon #BBN,” he said in a post on X, announcing his return to the collegiate level. Lowe chose a junior season at Kentucky over a chance to be chosen in the NBA Draft. Otega Oweh, the now-projected SEC player of the year, would follow suit shortly thereafter.

The Ultimate Goal

Andrija Jelavic, a primary member of the incoming unit, as well as the team’s lone international player, dubbed the title chase as “the ultimate goal” in his interview with KY Insider. “We all [the team] agree that the ultimate goal is the same and that is to bring a championship to Kentucky, to the state and the fans,” he said.

To Jelavic, it goes further than hunger. It’s a responsibility.

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And that responsibility is what sets Kentucky apart from other programs. As awkward as the conversation around John Calipari can get, when push comes to shove, much of the dissatisfaction growing within the fanbase as his tenure came to a close was rooted in the coach’s apparent disinterest in winning another championship.

Year after year went by; top-ranked roster after top ranked roster. After a while, it seemed that Kentucky was more often mentioned in the first round of the NBA Draft than it was in the NCAA Tournament. The problem persisted, the tension festered and, ultimately, the two sides split… and it all goes back to that elusive ninth title.

Name on the Front of the Jersey

Mark Pope has said before that he wants to bring in guys who are playing for the name on the front of their jersey. It just so happens that there are enough of those like-minded athletes across the nation to build one of the consensus best teams in college basketball, all of whom are in full pursuit of a new blue banner in the rafters of Rupp.

With a mindset like that shared across the board and talent like the 2025-26 team has at hand, it’s only a matter of time before that dream becomes a reality once more. For the first time in more than a decade, the entire Big Blue Nation is on the same page – and that includes the guys who can actually make it happen.

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Men's Basketball

Koby Brea Talks With Andrija Jelavic About His Legendary Chapter Awaiting At Kentucky

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ABA League (Left) | Imagn (Right)


Andrija Jelavic, in a recent Q&A with Kentucky Insider, revealed that he exchanged messages with former Wildcat Koby Brea, who will be handing down his No. 4 jersey to Jelavic.

The big man was asked if he had spoken with any former Wildcats after comparing his play style to Karl-Anthony Towns, and what he knew about Kentucky growing up.

“I exchanged some messages with Koby Brea because I’m gonna be wearing his number four,” Jelavic said. “About Kentucky, I always knew that they are the biggest franchise in college basketball history, and just everything about them is legendary.”

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Jelavic added on what exactly Brea said in those messages.

“He just told me to go be great and that he can’t wait to see me play,” Jelavic said. “Also, that he likes my number decision.”

Alone, the fact that Brea reached out speaks volume to the culture that is established at Kentucky. The lethal sharpshooter from Mark Pope’s first team at Kentucky played only one season in the blue and white, yet, seems interested in the future of the program despite chasing his own big league dreams.

To end our exclusive interview, Jelavic talked about the goals he has now as a Wildcat and how he wants to be a legendary piece to this year’s roster.

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“Definitely to bring many wins and hopefully a championship to Kentucky, Jelavic said. “To be a player that Kentucky will always remember.”

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