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Two And A Half Hours of my Life I Won’t Get Back: Kentucky Loses to Kansas 65-62

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That was a late night snoozer that had the Cats on the losing end of a game neither team deserved to win. I really don’t even know what to say. Other than Isaiah Jackson and Dontaie Allen, there weren’t many bright spots in that one.

Time to rant now.

Terrence Clarke and B.J. Boston…

Two of the best players in the 2020 class have looked terrible in the last two games. I figured they would put on a show against Kansas tonight, you know, get up for the game and the spotlight. But, they did not.

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The two highly-talented freshmen were ice cold the entire game. They combined to shoot 7-24 from the field, were 0-8 from three-point land, and combined for six turnovers.

Calipari has two stars he thought he could center a squad around. These guys have looked dreadful so far. I’m not hitting the panic button yet, but as of now, they have nowhere to go but up.

Why didn’t Dontaie Allen play more?

For a majority of the game, Allen was the only guy in a Kentucky uniform to hit a shot beyond the three-point line. Literally no one else could hit a shot. When the Cats are struggling that bad, why not give him a try?

Yes, I understand, he is a liability on defense, but if the guys on the floor are throwing up brick after brick, you have to try something else. Especially when the three’s going up are off-balance, barely touching the rim.

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13 assists and 37 turnovers in two games

This stat is unbelievable. If these are your assist to turnover numbers in two games, you don’t have a prayer of winning.

The sad thing is, a lot of these turnovers were just dumb, pathetic, sloppy turnovers. Guys not paying attention, being in the right place, and lazy passes. But, I guess that’s what happens when you have a ton of new guys.

It will get better because it always does, but this is going to be the issue the majority of this season.

Isaiah Jackson was sensational

Tonight was the first time I had seen Isaiah Jackson play a full game. He didn’t score a lot, but man, he impacts the game in so many ways.

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He had seven points, 12 rebounds, and eight blocks. Easily the MVP of the game for the Cats. But, he had one of the biggest mistakes of the game. He didn’t blockout Braun on the free-throw and allowed Kansas to get an offensive rebound. Essentially sealing the game.

After the game, he said: “I took full responsibility for that after the game.”

This kid is going to be a steal in the draft.

3-31 from three in the last two games….

This is a mind-boggling stat. I don’t remember Kentucky struggling with three-point shooting this bad in any recent years.

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Cal said after the game, “we have good shooters, they just aren’t making the shots right now.”

We hear that every year and it gets old. I think you have to play Davion Mintz and Dontaie Allen more, but maybe I’m crazy.

Summary

We hit this point at least once every season. Kentucky has a mass-exodus to the NBA every year and Cal has to reload on young talent, and as we all know, this is a downside to that. They usually look really bad at the beginning of the season.

It will turnaround because it always does, but it sure is painful to watch. Goodnight.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Men's Basketball

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

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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“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.”

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