An impressive first win for Mark Pope.
The Kentucky Wildcats tipped off their 2024-25 regular season Monday Night, welcoming Wright State to Lexington for opening night, and Mark Pope’s squad raced past the visiting Raiders 103-62.
As the Cats opened a new era of the program, the first half might have been one of the most anticipated 20 minutes of basketball in this state in quite some time.
Well, this team delivered.
Kentucky came out of the gates playing their style of basketball, pushing the tempo and forcing the Raiders into some tough shots to open up the fast break. Likely, the most welcomed surprise, however, came from Amari Williams. The Drexel transfer flashed his All-SEC potential this evening by doing a little bit of everything in the first half, helping the Cats open up a 22-point halftime lead.
Coming out of the locker room in the second half, the fanbase got another taste of just how special this team can be. With shot-makers all over the floor and plenty of playmakers that have bought into the system, Coach Pope’s squad exploded on the offensive end. Not to mention the impressive defensive intensity for the final 20 minutes, as well.
The new era is off to a 1-0 start. Now the fanbase will have to wait until Saturday, as the Cats welcome Bucknell to Rupp Arena for game two of the season.
It is going to be a fun season, folks. Enjoy the ride.
Go Cats!
Highlights
Box Score
Game MVP
We could hand out this award to several different players tonight. Amari Williams was awesome. Lamont Butler really shined on both floors. However, Otega Oweh outshone the rest.
The Oklahoma Sooners transfer finished the night with 21 points on 8/8 shooting, including 3/3 from deep. He also added three rebounds, three steals, a block, and an assist.
Oweh entered this season with the assumption of being a legit defender and a decent offensive player. Well, he might just be great on the offensive end of the floor. Showing off the shooting touch tonight and his ability to get downhill and score at the rim, Oweh could raise the ceiling of this group if he continues to play like this.
Kentucky Twitter Reactions vs. Wright State
First 5️⃣ of the 2024-25 season. pic.twitter.com/En0DrLGRxm
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) November 4, 2024
Couldn’t relate any more to this guy. #BBN
: @TimSmithCC pic.twitter.com/fxWEehP5Wi
— Cats Coverage (@Cats_Coverage) November 4, 2024
“There’s nothing quite like it.”
Our @tomleachKY caught up with Head Coach Mark Pope ahead of his Kentucky coaching debut! pic.twitter.com/uo6MBmdAZO
— UK Sports Network (@UKSportsNetwork) November 4, 2024
The Pope came to support Pope for Game 1 in Rupp Arena.
(via @KaraBallphoto) pic.twitter.com/ugjT1f2tKv
— Drew Franklin (@DrewFranklinKSR) November 4, 2024
The energy in @Rupp_Arena RIGHT NOW >>>
– ESPNU pic.twitter.com/26beYu2YyN
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) November 5, 2024
Amari Williams pic.twitter.com/u4RF8RtawP
— Barstool Kentucky (@BarstoolUK) November 5, 2024
https://t.co/j5N7xfsbt7 pic.twitter.com/WGZnkO2S9x
— KSR (@KSRonX) November 5, 2024
The Hunk Cam and the Go Big Blues Brothers endorse Mark Pope for president pic.twitter.com/q04dQPqKc0
— Drew Franklin (@DrewFranklinKSR) November 5, 2024
So far, Kentucky has been really good at flattening Wright State out and spreading them then attacking an open rim from the middle of the floor. @KentuckyRivals
— David Sisk (@CoachDavidSisk) November 5, 2024
Mid Major step backs or banks in Rupp pic.twitter.com/R0ZIcKgMBD
— PELS YEAR. BBN (@pelsyear) November 5, 2024
Kentucky not struggling against Midwest State anymore pic.twitter.com/Ht5gYPDHFH
— Big Blue Carti (@BigBlueCartii) November 5, 2024
Mark Pope.
Keeping The Faith.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) November 5, 2024
This was the most points scored (103) by a Kentucky team in their head coach’s debut. The old mark was held by Tubby Smith with 88 points in the 1997-98 opener.
— Jeff Drummond (@JDrumUK) November 5, 2024
.@CoachMarkPope postgame with @tom_hart and @CoachJimmyDykes. pic.twitter.com/QnIrCas2qQ
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) November 5, 2024
Kentucky won by 41 points tonight, the same as Mark Pope’s jersey number.
Pretty fitting. pic.twitter.com/QJTMZftfO8
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) November 5, 2024
— Dylan Ballard (@DylanBallard_UK) November 5, 2024
That first win feeling pic.twitter.com/PFDuomWDa3
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) November 5, 2024
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