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.

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