Brandon Garrison celebrated after UK’s win at Missouri. (UK Athletics Photo)
For a team that scored 91 points, including 53 in the second half, it’s hard to imagine that defense was the key to victory.
Yet that is exactly how Kentucky coach Mark Pope felt after Saturday’s 91-83 win at No. 15 Missouri, even though the Tigers had 54 points in the second half.
Kentucky missed eight of its first nine shots, turned the ball over, and just looked out of sync offensively — and maybe even overwhelmed at times. It didn’t help that point guard Lamont Butler picked up two early fouls.
However, Kentucky was down only 11-4 after that horrible start and actually went on an 11-0 run to take a 13-11 lead midway of the first half thanks in large part to 3-pointers from freshmen Trent Noah and Travis Perry.
“We were having a tough time finding our rhythm,” Pope said on the UK Radio Network postgame show. “Our defense is keeping us afloat. I was really proud of that because our guys were guarding and giving us a safety net to stay afloat until our guys figured it out (on offense).
“That was the No. 5 offense in the country. We are not perfect defensively, but we have made some strides. That’s important for us and bodes well as we get into the postseason.”
Former Kentucky All-American Jack Givens thought it was important that Kentucky established in the first half how it was going to play defensively.
“It was huge for Kentucky that they started out shooting so poorly (missed nine of their first 11 shots) and you think Missouri is up 12 or 13, but it was a two-point game,” Givens said on the UK Radio Network. “They got confidence, started running the offense and scoring, and kept the pressure on defensively. That was the difference in the game.”
Pope credited senior Otega Oweh and freshman Collin Chandler for limiting Missouri standout Caleb Gill to 2-for-6 shooting and only eight points before he fouled out. Pope said assistant coach Mark Fox helped put together a plan to guard Gill that they executed almost perfectly.
“Those guys had a huge challenge but executed,” Pope said.
Kentucky might not be an elite defensive team, but it has improved dramatically since being embarrassed at Ole Miss.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our guys. The game was not always smooth, but our guys figured it out,” Pope said. “We have really good students. They are smart, and they care and are humble. We are not perfect, but we are trending the right way.”
Oweh was 1-for-6 in the first half and had two points. In the second half, he was 5-for-11 from the field — with two 3-pointers — and 8-for-10 at the foul line and finished with 22 points and three steals.
Koby Brea had 17 points on 6-for-9 shooting and four rebounds. Andrew Carr was sensational with 16 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. Amari Williams again anchored the middle with 14 points and was 10-for-12 at the foul line. He also had eight rebounds.
“This was definitely a win that we needed and wanted to get it bad,” Oweh said. “These are the type of matchups we live for. We knew we had to play with grit and intensity. We knew we had to guard. We are going to score because of the weapons we have, but we just have to guard
“The first half set the tone really. Me and Lamont (Butler) both had two quick fouls, but that second group came in and just uplifted the energy. I felt like the first half set the tempo for the whole game.
Jaxson Robinson and Kerr Kriisa have now been declared officially out for the season but this was at least the third straight game Kentucky has started the same lineup with players in their normal positions.
“I am so comfortable,” Otega said about UK’s lineup. “This is us. This is what I was telling everybody, even when Lamont was injured, and we were waiting for AC (Carr) to get right. This is us playing intense and just going out and hoopin’. Embrace being at Kentucky, but remember the intensity that got us here.”
Kentucky will open SEC Tournament play on Thursday in Nashville, and Oweh cannot wait.
“I am excited, but I am treating it like any other game. I don’t want to look ahead,” Oweh said. “I just want to enjoy the moment and be where my feet are. It gives you like AAU vibes. Playing every day and just get back to the innocence of the game and just hoop.”
7 Responses
What are W. Hard place to win at..
I just hope Oweh comes back next year! I think if we make a deep tournament run he might take his talents to the NBA. Maybe he would get picked up in the late second round. If he comes back I think he will be in the running for POTY. He has improved by at least 5ppg. Every year. So I would expect him to be around 20 ppg. Next year which will definitely put him in the running. Garrison Perry Noah and Chandler are locks to come back with I think Kerr ultimately choosing to come back as well.
I feel 90% sure 00 will be back.
The TEAM we all saw in the initial 5 games of the season has been showing signs of returning the past 5 to 8 games, with the last 2 wins highlighting the preparation for the post season.
UK is clicking now and IF EVERY player shares the ball as they did at the beginning of the year, the sky is the limit. Even if someone scores a lot of points, they should also have assists if they are a TEAM player. That includes Oweh, whose efficiency (Prof.ANE) is FAR below all the other players who got the most minutes this season.
This team will thrive if EVERYONE plays Pope Ball and will exit if ANY with a lot of minutes forget about their teammates.
Team defense is inspired and field by an offense whcih shares the ball. It’s all related to energizing teammates at both ends of the floor!
Oweh has an NBA body and I think he’ll be a late first rounder. He’s playing against NBA talent now in the SEC and is borderline spectacular. Low 1st round money is gaurenteed but he’ll have to go four years with that contract. If UK supplies equivalent NIL monies he’ll break even in 2026 and have a chance to earn lottery money. Pretty simple math.
Carr is a big difference maker for this team. Also, they are getting better defensively and not a moment too soon. This team only has to be as good defensively as they were for this game. When you aren’t hitting shots, your defense has to keep you in the game. Keep you close enough that you can make a run or strong enough to fight off the opponents run. Both teams will have runs, you just have to have the defense that allows you to have the better run.
Carr is back! And that is huge. With the big 3 underneath and Alanor ready to pop the 3, along with Brea, Oweh, Butler and the three freshmen, all of whom can knock down the 3, UK could be getting “right” just in time. I am anxious to see how they do in Nashville this week.
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