Vicky Graff Photo
There was something in the air Monday night as the Kentucky Wildcats earned their first victory of the Mark Pope era, blowing out Wright State, 103-62.
Rupp Arena was pretty much full for the debut of the program’s new head coach and a roster of 12 new players, with everyone in attendance on the edge of their seats to see just how exciting this group could be.
The chemistry between the players both on the court as well as on the bench was quite easy to see between crisp passes and smiles/cheers when a teammate made a play on either offense or defense.
In a game where Kentucky was favored by 20 points, a blowout was “expected” from the Wildcats. However, considering this team had not played a single regular season game together until yesterday, it was a pleasant surprise to see Pope’s team put together a start-to-finish game (all-be-it against Wright State).
Otega Oweh continued to be the bright spot for Kentucky, leading all scorers with 21 points on an incredibly efficient 8-9 shooting (3-3 from behind the arc and 2-2 from the free throw line). His performance followed up what were two exhibition games where he scored 18 (Kentucky Wesleyan) and 15 (Minnesota State).
Not far behind him was Koby Brea who also put together an efficient night, scoring 18 points on 7-8 shooting (4-4 from behind the arc). Other double-figure scorers were Lamont Butler (14), Amari Williams (12), Andrew Carr (11) and Ansley Almonor (11).
Kentucky shot a combined 60% from the field and 45% from three-point range, which will be difficult for any team to stop. While it’s only the team’s first game, it’s exactly what Pope’s team wants to be on offense.
The Wildcats will re-take the court on Saturday when they host Bucknell at Rupp Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 PM ET.
Kentucky-Wright State MBB
Photos by Vicky Graff
10 Responses
Glad to see a UK team come out looking like they are prepared and ready to play. No screaming from the sidelines. No looking lost for the first 10 minutes of the game. This team can flat out shoot the ball but also play some hard nosed defense.
I love the passing and defense. We have great balance of scoring and defense. I think we have the pieces and players who actually want to win and don’t care about personal accolades. That’s scary. In today’s day and age that’s rare. Defense wins championships and good shooting always keeps you in the game and we have both. Williams is better than I thought he would be. I can’t get over how he was leading the fast break at 7 foot almost 300 pounds. Butler looked lightning fast. He’s going to be a great point guard this year. You need your point guard to facilitate. You want your point guard to be experienced a floor leader who is great on defense. Butler checks all these boxes. He missed a couple of dunks I bet he wished he had back. He would have had 20 points if he could make layups. This team just excites me. They are fun to watch. They seem to lift each other up. Duke better watch out. This years Kentucky team will be coming for them. Cooper Flagg better watch out for Oweh. Even tho Oweh is 3-4 inches shorter he’s got the more physical body than Flagg. I would have Oweh shadow him and stay in his face the whole game. I think we beat Duke. I think Gonzaga is a top 3 team. Duke is a top 10 team. So if we beat Duke in my eyes we can compete with Gonzaga. Lose to Duke and that Gonzaga games looks much different.
What a very impressive start to the season. This team was hitting on all cylinders on both sides. Very proud of the effort and results, and I am sure we put the rest of the country on notice that we are back. Congrats Cats!!
it was a lot of fun Mike
I haven’t seen Duke play, but I did watch the asswhooping that Gonzaga put on Baylor. Gonzaga IS a top 3 team. Duke, Clemson, Gonzaga, Lousyville, and Ohio State will be tough tests for us. Coming out of those games at 5-0 will be a Top 5 worthy accomplishment. 4-1 Top 10. 3-2 Top 15. 2-3 Top 20. 1-4 Top 25. 0-5…that ain’t gonna happen! Win or lose, it will be great prep for SEC play which will be a gauntlet. By tourney time, NOBODY will want to play Kentucky. A Final 4 is not out of the question for this team; a Sweet 16 is most assured. An Elite 8 is most likely. Winning No. 9 would be a stretch for sure, but stranger things have happened.
Duke looks loaded, but not unbeatable
I feel like a young kid, again. Really anxious, very excited for coach Pope, I truly feel, I believe that he was the perfect one to take over and he truly, truly loves this place, Program and it really shows in every thing that he says, or he does, I love the way he coaches, no screaming and the ultimate player, motivator, and I think he already has these guys,gelling so effortlessly, just an amazing, so amazing job coach Pope and the staff have been able to do, and when ur truly happy doing what ur doing it stands out in so many different ways,. I Love this UK team and staff, I would like to Thank Coach Pope and all the staff, and players for bringing back the heartbeat, the honor, the Prestige, the drive, back into BBN, and me, too. I kno that we are witnessing something that’s never gonna be 4gotten, just wait and see..KENTUCKY WILDCATS #1 Coach Pope I hope that U kno how much you are loved,by the BBN and I kno U feel the same way about KENTUCKY, we Love U Coach Pope and Family , and all the Staff,. When I say Coach Pope, that includes everyone, players, coaches, staff members, U all are very hard workers, and BBN is very Thankful
That is the Pope Impact Morris
Larry, the best part is that these kids are still adapting to Pope’s system. Will they look as good against Duke as they did last night? I doubt it, but by January 1 this team is going to be rolling…and they will need to do so in the SEC. Come tourney time, I don’t care what kind of seed they get or draw they have to play through…they are going to kick ass! It won’t be long before the conference is referring to the SEC tourney as the Kentucky Invitational Tournament. Kentucky will become a fixture again in the first 4 rounds of the Dance. I think No. 9 will come home sooner than anyone expects!
A NEW ERA
The UK AURA
The Return of the LEGENDARY UK
I like the New Era Term 👍
I like the “UK AURA” phrase which the Professor may have been the 1st to post it – maybe elsewhere but the 1st I had seen in the 90’s when UK still had it.
GREAT TEAM – UNSELFISH – DEEP
NEVER QUIT or slowed even when up by 40
Thanks so much, Mark Pope & every player buying into his system & vision of #9 which he has instilled into every player!