Tag: Kentucky basketball

Kentucky’s shooting woes resurface in a loss to Ohio State

Kentucky basketball had a tough shooting night in a loss to Ohio State.

An unfortunate pattern has emerged this season for Kentucky basketball, and it reared its head again against Ohio State at the CBS Classic on Saturday. Teams that play a physical style of defense, like Clemson did, bother the Wildcats, knocking them off their game.

From start to finish, the Buckeyes refused to back down against Kentucky, and used their physicality, especially against the guards. It resulted in another poor shooting night for Kentucky, and they fell 85 – 65.

Related: How the players who left Kentucky basketball are doing

As a team, Kentucky shot just 29% from the field and a woeful 18% from three-point range. Ohio State, meanwhile, made 56% of their shots overall, and 26% from deep.

The Cats were led by Otega Oweh, who had 21 points, but 13 of those points came at the free throw line. Andrew Carr had 12, and Jaxson Robinson had 11. Nobody else scored in double figures.

It was Kentucky’s worst performance of the season in every phase of the game. They will play Brown on December 31st, then begin SEC play. They’d better figure out how to avoid nights like this against a loaded conference this season.

Kentucky is a number one seed in the latest Bracketology

Kentucky basketball receives a one-seed in Joe Lunardi’s latest Bracketology for ESPN.

On Saturday, Kentucky basketball defeated the Louisville Cardinals to advance the Wildcats to 10 – 1 on the season. They also jumped up to number four in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll. Now, ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has the Cats as one of the four number one seeds in his latest Bracketology.

Lunardi has Kentucky as the top seed in the West Bracket, where they would play either American or Hampton in round one. The other number one seeds are Iowa State, the Auburn Tigers, and the Tennessee Volunteers.

Related: How the transfer from Kentucky in 2024 are doing

The number two seed out west is Gonzaga, and would be an interesting rematch down the line. Kansas is a very strong three-seed, with UCLA as the number four.

An interesting note this week is the potential second round matchup for Kentucky. The number nine seed is John Calipari and Arkansas, setting up a fun second round battle….if Coach Cal can get past round one.

It’s still early, but this would be a difficult bracket if things end up this way.

Lamont Butler was named SEC Co-Player of the Week

Kentucky point guard Lamont Butler was Co-Player of the Week after scoring 33 against Louisville.

It was a grand return to the court for Kentucky basketball point guard Lamont Butler. After missing two games with an injury, he was back on the floor against Louisville, and showed why he is such an important player.

Anything can happen in a rivalry game, and the Cardinals kept things close. However, Butler continually put the Wildcats on his back, making big plays at every big moment. He ended up having a career night.

Related: Best photos from Kentucky’s win over Louisville

Butler attempted 10 shots against Louisville and made all 10 of them, including going 6-of-6 from three point range. He had 33 points to lead the Cats, and added six assists, which also led the team, and three rebounds.

His performance earned him the honor of being named SEC Co-Player of the Week along with Auburn Tigers star Johni Broom. It was a big game for Butler, and in a big game for Kentucky. Congrats to him on his award.

Kentucky climbs to fourth in the new USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Kentucky moves up to number four overall in the new USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

It wasn’t the prettiest week for Kentucky basketball, but they went 2 – 0 with wins over Colgate and in-state rival Louisville. Both games were perhaps closer than expected, but the Wildcats won and now move up a spot in the new USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

Kentucky moved up from number five to number four, but are still the third highest SEC team. The Tennessee Volunteers are number one, with the Auburn Tigers at number two.

Related: Lamont Butler is Kentucky’s most important player

The Florida Gators just missed the top five, and came in at number six, while the Alabama Crimson Tide are the fifth SEC team in the top ten. Overall, nine teams from the SEC are ranked in the top 25, with another three receiving votes.

Kentucky continues to out-perform expectations. They are now 10 – 1 on the year, with a couple of wins over top ten teams. For a roster hastily rebuilt through the transfer portal, it’s doing pretty well.

Up next for the Cats is Ohio State on December 21st.

Here is the full coaches poll this week:

 

Rank Team Record Points
1 Tennessee 10-0 765 (22)
2 Auburn 9-1 744 (9)
3 Iowa State 9-1 708
4 Kentucky 10-1 664
5 Duke 8-2 638
6 Florida 10-0 610
7 Alabama 8-2 601
8 Kansas 8-2 518
9 Marquette 9-2 496
10 Oregon 10-1 454
11 Texas A&M 9-2 368
12 Houston 6-3 363
13 UConn 8-3 337
14 Gonzaga 7-3 328
15 Oklahoma 10-0 308
16 Ole Miss 9-1 282
17 Purdue 8-3 264
18 UCLA 9-1 263
19 Michigan State 8-2 178
20 Cincinnati 8-1 146
21 Michigan 8-2 113
22 Memphis 8-2 111
23 San Diego State 7-2 110
24 Dayton 9-2 92
25 Mississippi State 9-1 92

 

Schools Dropped Out

No. 16 Clemson; No. 22 Wisconsin; No. 25 Baylor;

Others Receiving Votes

Clemson 87; Baylor 79; Illinois 50; St. John’s 48; Drake 44; Utah State 40; Arkansas 31; Maryland 29; Georgia 23; Wisconsin 22; Pittsburgh 21; Missouri 18; North Carolina 9; West Virginia 5; Creighton 5; Texas Tech 3; Penn State 2;

Lamont Butler is Kentucky’s most important player this season

Point guard Lamont Butler is Kentucky’s most important player.

When Mark Pope was hired as the new Kentucky basketball coach in the Spring, he had to completely rebuild the roster. Among some of the flashier players he brought in, like three-time Defensive Player of the Year Amari Wiliams and elite shooter Koby Brea, was point guard Lamont Butler.

Butler played for four seasons at San Diego State and was a key member of the team that made the 2023 Final Four. Now, he’s at Kentucky, and is the Wildcats most important player.

Against Louisville, Butler played his best game, scoring 33 points while shooting 10-for-10 from the floor. However, he’s not just valuable for his scoring.

Related: Best photos from Kentucky’s win over Louisville

One of the reasons Pope recruited Butler was his defense, and he has been excellent in that regard. Opponents are shooting just 27.5% from three point range, and he is a part of that. He’s a terrific on-ball defender, who can lock down opposing guards.

Butler has also been a clutch shooter this season, making 33% of his three-point attempts. He has also been terrific at driving to the basket and getting easy buckets or fouled in the attempt. He’s shooting over 60% from the field as a whole.

Kentucky has a deep, talented, and experienced roster, and any player can take over a game on any give night. However, it’s Butler that makes it go with his defense and passing ability. He’s a leader and plays hard every time down the floor. If the Wildcats make noise in March, he’ll certainly be a huge part of it.

The best photos from Kentucky’s win over Louisville

Here are some of the best images from Kentucky’s win over Louisville on Saturday.

It was another good year for Kentucky basketball fans in terms of their annual rivalry game with the Louisville Cardinals. It was a close game throughout, but the Wildcats held them off for a 93 – 85 victory.

The matchup was an intense one, as always. It not only had the feel of a big game, including a rapt audience that was into every second of it, but it had also had the requisite trash talk, physicality of play, and a near-brawl.

Related: Kentucky women beat Purdue on the road

Lamont Butler led the way for Kentucky with 33 points. He was 6-of-6 from three-point range, and each one seemed to come at an important moment. Andrew Carr also made a number of timely plays, especially on the defensive end.

In the end, it was another win for Kentucky in the series. It was the third straight in the series for the Wildcats, and the sixth of the last seven.

With such an emotional game, the pictures from the game are sure to be good. Here are the best images from the Kentucky win.

Kentucky defeats Louisville behind a career night from Lamont Butler

Kentucky got a huge game from Lamont Butler in a win over Louisville.

The rivalry between Kentucky basketball and Louisville is one of the country’s more intense ones. Kentucky has beaten the Duke Blue Devils and Gonzaga Bulldogs, but beating the Cardinals is an absolute must every year.

On Saturday, the two teams battled in an entertaining game that resulted in a win for the Wildcats by a score of 93 – 85. It was a close game throughout, and Kentucky didn’t get the win easily, but they are now 10 – 1 on the season.

The Cats jumped out early, but Louisville began to hit make some three pointers in timely moments. Kentucky led by six at halftime.

Related: Kentucky women are still 16th in the nation

The second half was more of the same. The Wildcats would make runs, but Louisville would stay in striking distance. In the end, Kentucky made just enough plays on defense to hold on.

Lamont Butler had a career night for Kentucky. He was a perfect 10-of-10 from the field, including 6-of-6 from deep and scored 33 points. He added six assists.

Otega Oweh had 17 points, including some big baskets down the stretch. Andrew Carr also made some huge plays, with some big rebounds and two blocked shots.

Kentucky will play Ohio State next Saturday at Rupp Arena.

Best photos of Kentucky’s victory over Colgate on Wednesday

Here are the best pictures from Kentucky’s victory over Colgate on Wednesday.

Kentucky basketball got a much tougher game from Colgate than most people expected on Wednesday. Ultimately, the Wildcats pulled away for a 78 – 67 win, but it wasn’t easy.

The Cats looked like they would win big early on. They were up 17 – 0, but then Colgate heated up from three point range and Kentucky began to struggle to make shots. By halftime, the lead was just two points.

Related: SEC basketball power rankings after week five

In the second half, the Wildcats trailed briefly, but then Jaxson Robinson and Trent Noah hit some shots from deep to spur a Kentucky run, and they never looked back. Colgate gave a tremendous effort, but the talent advantage proved to great.

Kentucky was led by Koby Brea’s 17 points. Five Cats were in double figures, and Andrew Carr had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

It was a more exciting game than fans expected, and a closer one. Here are some of the great pictures from the Kentucky win.

Kentucky struggles but survives a strong effort from Colgate

Kentucky basketball struggled, but got the win against Colgate on Wednesday.

Kentucky basketball defeated Gonzaga on Saturday behind a strong second half effort and comeback. On Wednesday, they needed another good second half against a Colgate team that played very well.

The Wildcats jumped out early, leading 17 – 0 at one point. However, Colgate began to knock down three point shots and clawed back into it. Kentucky, however, once again shot the ball poorly in the first half, especially from deep, and led by just two at halftime.

Related: SEC basketball power rankings after week five

In the second half, Colgate actually pulled ahead briefly, but Jaxson Robinson made a couple of three pointers, and keyed a 9 – 0 run that put Kentucky in front for good. They would finish with a 78 – 67 victory.

Koby Brea led the Cats with 17 points behind 5-of-8 shooting from behind the arc. Andrew Carr posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Otega Oweh and Amari Williams each had 15.

Next up for Kentucky is their rivalry game against the Louisville Cardinals on Saturday.

Despite a loss to Clemson, Kentucky gains a spot in USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

After beating Gonzaga, Kentucky is ranked in the top five of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

After climbing into the top ten in the top 25 polls, Kentucky basketball suffered their first loss of the season to the Clemson Tigers. However, they rebounded quickly, and on Saturday night, came back to beat Gonzaga, who was ranked eighth in the country. The result? The Wildcats gained a spot in the new USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

Kentucky comes in as the number five team overall in the newly released coaches top 25. Their record stands at 8 – 1, and they boast two wins over top ten teams so far this year.

Related: Best photos of Kentucky’s win over Gonzaga

The rest of the SEC is strong as well, and the Cats are the third team they have ranked in the top five, along with the Tennessee Volunteers and Auburn Tigers, who are the top two teams. Eight SEC teams are ranked in the top 25, with another five getting votes.

The job that new coach Mark Pope has done is nothing short of spectacular. So far, they have outperformed expectations, and few expected them to be ranked as a top five team. Fans will stay tuned to see if they can keep it up.

Here is the full coaches poll top 25:

 

Rank Team Record Points
1 Tennessee 8-0 745 (25)
2 Auburn 8-1 709 (5)
3 Iowa State 7-1 673
4 Marquette 9-1 633
5 Kentucky 8-1 630
6 Duke 7-2 613
7 Florida 9-0 530
8 Alabama 7-2 525
9 Gonzaga 7-2 462
10 Kansas 7-2 449
11 Purdue 8-2 424
12 Oregon 9-1 377
13 Houston 5-3 304
14 Michigan 8-1 258
15 Ole Miss 8-1 249
16 Clemson 9-1 237
17 Oklahoma 9-0 233
18 Texas A&M 8-2 194
19 Michigan State 8-2 166
20 UConn 7-3 152
21 UCLA 8-1 137
22 Wisconsin 8-2 129
23 Cincinnati 7-1 124
24 San Diego State 6-2 105
25 Baylor 5-3 99