Highlights, MVP, and Twitter reactions to Kentucky’s monster win vs. unbeaten Florida

Posted by Admin January 4, 2025 Basketball

Before the college basketball season began, I don’t think anyone was expecting the Kentucky Wildcats’ opening game of conference play to produce a top-10 matchup.

However, the #6 Florida Gators walked into Rupp Arena sitting at 13-0 and looking for a statement win over a marquee opponent.

When the game began, it became clear why UF had dominated its competition up to this point. The Gators played physically and showed their offensive versatility.

For a moment, it looked as if it was going to be a long few hours inside Rupp Arena.

That’s when Otega Oweh and Koby Brea decided to go on their own personal 16-0 run. The incredible outburst stole any shred of momentum that Todd Golden’s team had up to that point.

LaMont Butler cemented a superb first half when he stole the ball at mid-court and laid it in as time expired.

Kentucky took an impressive 52-42 lead into the locker room.

It was pretty much a given that the Gators weren’t going to lay down and just accept their first loss of the season.

UF’s Alijah Martin and Walter Clayton Jr. went nuclear in the second half. Florida rode their hot hands to cut UK’s lead down to just one.

But folks, today was Koby Brea’s afternoon. The Dayton transfer would pour in a career-high seven 3s, preserving UK’s lead. Brea would score 23 points on 8/11 shooting.

Florida played a terrific game, but the Cats just wouldn’t be denied in this one. It felt like a tournament game and will be remembered for a long time.

Kentucky wins 106-100, and Mark Pope adds another feather to his cap in his short tenure as the Kentucky basketball coach.

Highlights

MVP

I’m going with Co-MVPs for what was an incredible game that was played at a very high level.

If it hadn’t been for Otega Oweh and Koby Brea to go on that memorable 16-0 run by themselves, who knows what the final score would have been?

After Florida started the game imposing their will, Oweh and Brea took matters into their own hands, igniting the Rupp Arena crowd.

From that moment on, you just felt as if the Cats would rise to the occasion and use the home-court advantage to close out a monster win.

Koby Brea was exceptional all afternoon, making big shot after big shot. He’d finish with 23 points and seven 3s. If there was any debate if he’s the best shooter in America, that’s now been to bed.

Otega Oweh pressured the Gators on both ends of the floor and gave UK a boost when they needed it most. He’s proven to be Kentucky’s X-factor and a nightmare for opponents every second he’s on the floor. Oweh finished the game with 16 points and four rebounds.

Kentucky vs. Florida Twitter Reactions

Nary an empty seat in the house for what could be a spicy game. One of the best Rupp Arena crowds in school history was UK-Florida in 2009; this could rival it. pic.twitter.com/AUsSWWCXoR

— Big Blue Insider (@bigblueinsider1) January 4, 2025

For whatever reason, rebounding in the first half has been a big issue for Cats. Their overall numbers aren’t bad on the season, but they consistently get beat early in the game.

— Jeff Drummond (@JDrumUK) January 4, 2025

That’s what I am talking about Amari! Way to bounce back!!

Need a kill on defense and keep letting these threes fly

GO BIG BLUE

— Matt Sak BBN (@MattSakR2NG) January 4, 2025

Only being down 8 feels like a win oddly. But it would be nice if Kentucky could start hot in one of these big games.

— Steven Peake (@StevenPeakeKSR) January 4, 2025

Florida has grabbed 11 of the game’s first 13 rebounds, 5 on the offensive end for 9 second-chance points.

— Jeff Drummond (@JDrumUK) January 4, 2025

What we just saw are a few reasons why I love this team so much.

They can score points rapidly.

Mark Pope will be in surgery mode for 40 mins instead of freaking out coaching the last play.

— Big Blue Drew (@BigBlueDrew33) January 4, 2025

Kentucky was down 26-15 at one point of the game. They now lead 50-40 with a minute left in the first half.

That’s a 35-14 run.

— Tres Terrell (@TerrellTres) January 4, 2025

Winner of the Freddie Solomon Community Spirit Award, @jjtimeee was honored on court in @Rupp_Arena!

J.J. is on the Courage Award watch list, a finalist for the Jason Witten Man of the Year, semifinalist for the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame… pic.twitter.com/nc0x8hh7iO

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) January 4, 2025

That 1st half with UK and Florida felt like it was a rewind of the mid-1990’s with Pitino’s and Nolan Richardson’s teams

— Brian Milam (@brianwkyt) January 4, 2025

The radio broadcast of this UK-FL game is magical

— Monica Muse (@MailLadyMonica) January 4, 2025

Otega Oweh deserves much more respect than he gets. He’s one of the most underrated players in the country.

— Zach “ ” Schumaker (@_SchuZ_) January 4, 2025

BBN gets a “REF YOU SUCK” chant echoing through Rupp Arena

And it’s deserved. Clown show.

— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) January 4, 2025

I think UK playing Duke and Gonzaga prepped us for this type of game. Florida crumbled late as UK took over.

— Fifth Quarter Kentucky (@FQKentucky) January 4, 2025

Kentucky and Florida combining for 206 points in a top-10 matchup—that was compelling + competitive for just about the whole game—is a great start for college hoops on a loaded day of basketball. And the first evidence in league play of how amazing the SEC is/will continue to be.

— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) January 4, 2025

Kentucky coach Mark Pope: “If you guys didn’t have fun, you should quit right now and find a new job. That was just an elite level (of) physicality. Bloodbath. Competitive. Just incredible performance after incredible performance going down the line. A great game.”

— Ryan Black (@RyanABlack) January 4, 2025

106 points against the No. 16 KenPom defense. Great offense beats great defense.

— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) January 4, 2025

Kentucky finished with three separate 10-0 runs against Florida.

In the last three seasons, teams who go on at least 3 “Kill Shots” in a game while not conceding any are 299-0.

It’s unbeatable.

— Evan Miyakawa (@EvanMiya) January 4, 2025

I’ve been doing this 30 years. I can count on one hand where both the game and the environment were as good as they were today at Rupp for Kentucky-Florida. College basketball at its best.

— Dan Shulman (@DShulman_ESPN) January 4, 2025

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