The Cats score 100+ for the second time.
The No. 23 Kentucky Wildcats took the floor on Saturday afternoon vs. Bucknell, giving them one final opportunity to tune up before taking on the Duke Blue Devils in the Champions Classic.
By the time the ball tipped off, the line was bet all the way up to 28.5 points in favor of Kentucky.
Mark Pope’s flashy offense had been as advertised through two exhibitions and one regular season game.
Would the onslaught continue?
Lamont Butler, Jaxson Robinson, Otega Oweh, Andrew Carr, and Amari Williams once again started the game and immediately attacked the offensive glass.
UK would shoot just 6/19 from 3 in the first half but would utterly dominate on the boards by a margin of 32-14.
Rebounding was an area that Coach Pope has mentioned he’d like to see more effort in and he sure received it.
Due to that tenacious attack of the glass, Kentucky would lead 47-31 at the break.
It definitely wasn’t the most crisp performance we’ve seen from this team, but despite not playing their best, it was encouraging to see the Cats still build up a 16-point lead at the half.
Cream would rise to the top as the second half unfolded. Kentucky would put on a ball movement clinic against The Bison, freeing up shooters all over the floor.
Koby Brea was the lucky recipient of many of those smooth passes, and he delivered them time and time again.
The Dayton transfer would pour in 20 points, shooting 6/8 from behind the arc.
The Cats had another impressive outing ahead of their monster matchup with Duke on Tuesday night.
The final score of 100-72 was great, but it’s the team’s continuity that stands out considering it’s only the second game of the season.
The next time Kentucky takes the floor, it’ll be the real deal. Tuesday night can’t come fast enough.
Highlights
Box Score
Game MVP
The emphasis on shooting was evident this offseason when Mark Pope assembled his roster.
Just two games in, fans are getting the treat of watching a barrage of triples drop from all over the floor
This afternoon, it was Koby Brea who picked up right where he left off against Wright State.
After shooting 4-4 from deep in his opening game as a Wildcat, Brea would go nuclear against Bucknell, draining six 3-pointers.
I don’t know what was more beautiful, but Brea’s effortless stroke or the ball movement was getting him open looks.
This Kentucky team will be nearly impossible to beat if they’re all making shots on the same night.
Koby Brea has already provided some draw-dropping moments just 80 minutes into his career at Kentucky.
When he shoots the ball, everyone in the arena thinks it’s going in.
Time to start questioning why he doesn’t start?
Kidding…. Kind of.
Kentucky vs. Bucknell Twitter Reactions
On the pregame radio show, Tom Leach is asking about individual players on Bucknell’s team.
Mark Pope is giving DETAILED scouting reports and defensive game-plans for every single player.
I love my coach! pic.twitter.com/LllEoHLFH1
— WT – Lamont Enthusiast (@WildcatsTongue) November 9, 2024
Pope said he needs to see more rebounding, especially on the offensive end. Ky with two offensive boards on its first possession
— Big Blue Insider (@bigblueinsider1) November 9, 2024
Kentucky is outrebounding Bucknell 8-1 in the early going, with 3 offensive rebounds for the Wildcats.
UK 10, Bucknell 3. Cats currently on a 9-0 run. Bison are 1 of 6 on FGs (and 1 of 5 on 3s).
— Ben Roberts (@BenRobertsHL) November 9, 2024
Is Oscar on the floor!? So many offensive rebounds.
— KentuckyFan #23 (1-0) #22 (2-0) (@KentuckyF34638) November 9, 2024
Coming out and excelling in the one area your coach had the most criticism after the previous game is a sign of a mature team.
— Blake Spires (@RealFakeBlake) November 9, 2024
Little things I’ve noticed under Pope:
•We inbound the ball QUICK
•Zoom doesn’t necessarily mean “fast”
•The 5 man needs to be a good passer (Williams is great at it)
•Lots of long rebounds leading to more offensive rebounds for us— Mark Stoops Burner Parody (@BBN_Commenter) November 9, 2024
ngl Kentucky played pretty poorly on both sides of the ball for most of that half
Still scored 47 and lead by 16 against a decent mid-major opponent
— WT – Lamont Enthusiast (@WildcatsTongue) November 9, 2024
Tonight’s Y inside Rupp Arena.. two-time SEC Tournament champion Dale Brown! pic.twitter.com/kCqZZ4w4gO
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) November 9, 2024
Kentucky players after getting a no look pass from Kerr Kriisa pic.twitter.com/Fbc0LfwsoK
— Matt Sak BBN (@MattSakR2NG) November 9, 2024
Kerr Kriisa: “that one’s going in”! pic.twitter.com/UEwOLw07AX
— Rixter (@rixter719) November 9, 2024
Kerr Kriisa is having too much fun throwing no-look assists to open three-point shooters. Ya love to see it.
— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) November 9, 2024
This is just a different Rupp Arena crowd than years past. Fans are engaged and make a lot of noise even late in the game during blowouts.
This is going to be a fun season.
— Steven Peake (@StevenPeakeKSR) November 9, 2024
Bucknell coach John Griffin III: “Mark Pope has done an excellent job of assembling a roster of very good basketball players, very good college basketball players, and they’ve quickly through hard work, I can only imagine, found the magic wand of unselfishness. It’s impressive.”
— Ryan Black (@RyanABlack) November 9, 2024
Through 2 games, seven Kentucky players are averaging at least 10 points per game. Kerr Kriisa (3.0 ppg) is the lowest scorer in UK’s 10-man rotation. He has 17 assists and 3 turnovers in 35 total minutes on the court.
No one averaging more than 23 minutes per game so far.
— Ben Roberts (@BenRobertsHL) November 9, 2024
.@KentuckyMBB has scored at least 100 points in each of their first 2 games of a season for the first time since 1978-1979
— Corey Price (@coreyp08) November 9, 2024
Big Blue Victory pic.twitter.com/veHX9Ibpzg
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) November 9, 2024
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