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Three Things To Watch For and TV Info for Kentucky’s Exhibition vs. Kentucky State

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Photo by Chet White | UK Athletics

We are now less than a week away from the start of the college basketball regular season, but the Kentucky Wildcats have one more exhibition game to prepare themselves for one of the toughest schedules in the country.

This time against in-state school, Kentucky State. The Thorobreds (yes, that is how the school spells it) are a Division II school located in Frankfort, KY.

The Thorobreds have played Kentucky in two preseason exhibitions in the Calipari era, most recently in 2019 (losing by 32) and in 2015 (losing by 53) before that.

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Kentucky State is coached by alum Jamaal Jackson, who is in his seventh season as head coach. In his time with the Thorobreds, they have become one of the best up-tempo in their conference, averaging 84.5 points per game in his first season.

Let’s look at some things to watch for on Thursday night.

Will the offense have a better performance?

Scoring 56 points is not an ideal performance for modern-day college basketball, let alone against D-II Missouri Western State. With that said, the Wildcat’s offense may not be much better on Thursday.

The Wildcats will be without Oscar Tshiebwe as he continues to sit out as a precaution from a minor knee procedure – should be ready for the season opener – but will probably be without Sahvir Wheeler due to a minor knee injury from Sunday’s exhibition.

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While neither of these losses should carry over into the regular season, it will keep Kentucky’s two biggest offensive pieces from a season ago off the floor.

On Sunday night, Jacob Toppin and CJ Fredrick were the only two players to score in double figures. While both will be key pieces on offense, others need to step up including Cason Wallace, Chris Livingston, and Antonio Reeves, who combined for just 16 points.

Who will step up at point guard?

As previously mentioned, Sahvir Wheeler sustained a minor knee injury in Kentucky’s last exhibition game on Sunday, the same knee that he injured prior to the Blue-White scrimmage that caused him to miss the scrimmage and a few days of practice.

Multiple reports have since come out and Wheeler is expected to be “fine” but it is probable that he will miss Thursday’s exhibition as a precaution. If that is case, who will step up at point guard?

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The obvious answer is Cason Wallace. Kentucky’s highest-ranked incoming freshman got plenty of run on Sunday and performed well finishing with nine points, seven rebounds (leading rebounder), two assists, two blocks, and two steals.

With Calipari still experimenting with lineups, don’t be surprised to see Antonio Reeves play some point as well. Reeves played the position at Illinois State and averaged 20.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.1 steals per game last season.

If Calipari calls on Reeves, he told Kentucky Sports Radio on Tuesday, he would be ready for it.

“I’m comfortable, knowing I played point guard last year at Illinois State. I have a lot of experience with it, so yeah, if he does put me at that position, I’ll be ready.”

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The Sky Is NOT Falling

Prior to the game, John Calipari tweeted this.

In hindsight, you could see there was not a lot of premium put on offense and that was shown in the performance. It is okay to be disappointed in the way the team performed against Missouri Western State, but the sky is not falling.

The Wildcats were experimenting with lineups and were without the reigning National Player of the Year, who will attract attention and open up the floor for the rest of the team. Not to mention, there was some good to see. Notably, CJ Fredrick’s three-point shooting, Jacob Toppin’s much-improved offense, and a good defensive performance.

On Thursday, I would expect to see more of the same with two starters sitting out due to injury and with the team helping Damion Collins grieve the loss of his father.

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When the season starts, expect this team to look much more reminiscent of the team from the Bahamas.

Kentucky Wildcats vs. Kentucky State Thorobreds

Time/Date: 7:00 pm ET on Thursday, November 3rd, 2022
Location: Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY
Online Stream: WatchESPNESPN+, SEC Network+, or the ESPN app
Radio: Tom Leach and Jack Givens will have the UK radio network call on WLAP-AM 630, WBUL-FM 98.1, and the UK Sports Network.
Replay: WatchESPN and SEC Network (check local listings).
Rosters: UK | KS
Live Stats

Also published on A Sea of Blue.

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Men's Basketball

Kentucky Loses on the Road to Texas A&M, Late Surge Not Enough

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Camryn Williams | UK Athletics

On Tuesday, March 3, Kentucky (19-11, 10-7 SEC) fumbled an early double-digit lead, allowing Texas A&M (20-10, 10-7 SEC) to go on an unfathomable run at home, losing 96-85.

Coming into this game, the Wildcats were fresh off of a huge win at home against No. 25 Vanderbilt, a game where Collin Chandler and Otega Oweh both dropped 23 points each and led Mark Pope’s squad to a 14-point dub.

Texas A&M, holding the same exact record as the Wildcats beforehand, were on a two-game losing streak, falling to No. 20 Arkansas on the road and Texas at home. The Aggies, in need of a win for their tournament resume, had everything to lose on Tuesday night in College Station.

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To start things out, both teams traded shots, tied 11-11 at the first break. Otega Oweh led both teams with six points, but Denzel Aberdeen had unfortunately picked up two fouls.

At a solid point of the half, with eight minutes left on the clock, Brandon Garrison and a now checked-in Aberdeen had maintained the early Kentucky lead, putting the Wildcats up 30-18.

If you didn’t watch the game, please prepare yourself, as Rubén Dominguez would lead the Aggies to a 27-3 run to close out the first half, scoring 14 points and knocking down four threes during that stretch.

There’s not much to even say – the Wildcats turned the ball over seven times in the first 20 minutes and missed every single shot they attempted during the Texas A&M legacy run. Like, literally, they only made one shot.

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At the break, Pope and his unpredictable team trailed 45-33.

Don’t think things would get any better, as by time of the first media timeout in the second half, the Aggies outscored the Wildcats 14-7 out of the half and would nearly take a 20-point lead. With 13 minutes and some change left in the game, Texas A&M had officially gone on a 46-14 run – which is absolutely and positively embarrassing.

Trust me, I wish I could say something positive. The Wildcats showed a little life between the ten-minute and eight-minute mark, going on a quick 9-3 run, but obviously it was too little too late.

We all know the story of this Kentucky team, however, as a graphic flashed on the screen that highlighted the Wildcats’ five double-digit comebacks this season. Trailing by 15 points with 7:30 remaining in the game, the Big Blue Nation hadn’t gave up on their guys just yet.

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After some hero plays from Garrison on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball, Pop Issacs would hit this 13th three for the Aggies. In very Garrison fashion, he would miss a layup and commit a foul on the next offensive possession, allowing Bucky McMillan’s team go back up by 18 points.

Late surge after late surge took place for Pope’s hopeful road dogs – you can’t always expect a miracle comeback though, or can you?

Led by Trent Noah, who hadn’t made a field goal since the end of January, Kentucky would go on a 10-2 run in just over a minute of game time, bringing the deficit down to seven.

Chandler, looking for another clutch moment, would air ball a corner shot, ironically marking the end of a hopeful ending.

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Up next, Kentucky will host the No. 5 Florida Gators (24-6, 15-2 SEC) during the Wildcats’ senior celebration on Saturday, March 7. That game will tip off at 4:00 p.m. ET and will air live on ESPN from Rupp Arena.

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Men's Basketball

Seniors Otega Oweh and Denzel Aberdeen Reflect Ahead of Their Final Home Game

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Anastasia Panaretos | UK Athletics

Senior Day. Do you love it, or do you hate it? In the same essence, it can be a refreshing celebration for a team’s most decorated players, until it hits you that their careers are quickly coming to a close.

On Saturday, March 7, when Kentucky hosts No. 5 Florida, the Big Blue Nation will have to say goodbye to a handful of upperclassman, two being fan favorite Otega Oweh and breakout guard Denzel Aberdeen.

Two parts of the “three-headed goat” met with the media on Monday, March 2, discussing the surreal sensations they’ve felt throughout the final week of the regular season.

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“This season felt like it went by really fast,” said Oweh. “They say time flies when you having fun and I just want to end it on a high note.”

To be fair, this season has gone by in a blur. It felt like just yesterday that we were having talks of Oweh being the Preseason SEC Player of the Year. Fast forward to now, and conference play only features two more matchups.

Reflecting on his time thus far, Oweh scored in double figures in 28 out of 29 games this season, averaging 20.5 points per game against SEC opponents. Words don’t describe the type of impact that he’s had on the blue and white, but it’s not over just yet.

Aberdeen, being a one-off Wildcat via the transfer portal, still had some emotional moments to talk about.

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“It’s been nothing but amazing here since I’ve been here,” said Aberdeen. “Since I stepped foot on campus, everybody treated me like family, like a brother…I know it’s been only one year, but I wish I had another.”

Agreeing with his teammate, the Florida transfer admitted that this season went by too quick.

“It went by really fast, I feel like I was just taking Braydon (Hawthorne) to Target just for his dorm,” Aberdeen said. “It’s crazy to think that we’re already in March already.”

March it is, indeed. The Wildcats have a matchup on the road against Texas A&M on Tuesday, March 3 and of course the rematch with the Gators for the regular-season finale, and then it’s time to play some postseason ball. No second chances, no what if’s, and’s or but’s – just do or die ball.

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Oweh and Aberdeen will look to close this season out strong, all while appreciating their time as a Wildcat with humble grace.

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Men's Basketball

Kentucky Takes Down No. 25 Vanderbilt, Collin Chandler Drops Career High

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Elliot Hess | UK Athletics

On Saturday, Feb. 28, the Kentucky Wildcats (19-10, 10-6 SEC) took down the No. 25 Vanderbilt Commodores (22-7, 9-7 SEC) by a score of 91-77, earning a crucial Quad 1, ranked and confidence boosting win as the season closes out.

Coming into this one, the Wildcats had recently clawed back in a brutal game against the South Carolina Gamecocks, grabbing the team’s first win after a three-game losing streak.

Vanderbilt, after falling in back-to-back matchups with Missouri and Tennessee, responded with a win over a team who had just beat Kentucky in Rupp Arena, the Georgia Bulldogs, and wanted to continue building its resume in Lexington.

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Unfortunately for the Volunteers’ ugly brother, the Commodores would experience an all-time shooting performance in the first half.

Kentucky came out BLAZING hot from deep, led by guard Collin Chandler, who continued to show how much he can develop into a star.

Chandler would score 12 points, all via the three, all within the first eight minutes of the game. Adding one more on before the half, and with the help of Denzel Aberdeen and Otega Oweh’s combined 14 points, the Wildcats jogged off of the court, up 15 at the break.

Marking one of the more impressive shooting halves of the season, Mark Pope’s squad left with roaring cheers, making nine out of their 17 attempted threes.

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To start the second half, most would stay the same, as both teams traded shots all while Kentucky maintained a 15-point lead.

Per usual, as one could predict, the refs would begin to get involved, waiving a potential four-point play from Chandler, calling a cheap one on Brandon Garrison and doing the same as the Wildcats went back on offense, resulting in Pope spitting some mean words at the officials.

Garrison, grimacing in pain, sat on the court and watched as the call didn’t result in anything extra for Vanderbilt, causing the Big Blue Nation to make their voices heard.

Zooming down the court, Oweh would secure an and-one, putting the Wildcats up 19 at the 11:50 mark, feeling like a miracle would have to happen for Vanderbilt to muster up a comeback.

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Chandler, already with a career-high performance, would allow Oweh to take over as time expired, reaching the double-digit mark and scoring two straight buckets at the rack.

As always, the trio of Chandler, Aberdeen and Oweh did their thing and handled the scoring production for the Wildcats, combining for 59 of Kentucky’s points.

Up 17 with five minutes to go, the Wildcats didn’t let off the gas pedal, bullying their way into the paint and letting Vanderbilt leave with some insurance for what happened last time.

Tyler Nickel would hit some late threes for Vanderbilt, but at that point, fans were worried more about traffic than any Tracy McGrady miracle in Rupp Arena.

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Up next, Kentucky will travel to College Station to take on Texas A&M (19-10, 9-7 SEC) on Tuesday, March 3. Tip is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET and will air live on ESPN2.

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