Highlights, MVP, and Twitter reactions to Wildcats’ impressive win over Minnesota State

Posted by Admin October 30, 2024 Basketball

The Kentucky Wildcats took the floor Tuesday night for their second and final exhibition game before regular-season play begins next week.

Defending D-II national champion Minnesota State presented a much tougher challenge than Kentucky Wesleyan.

After a sloppy back-and-forth first 15 minutes, the Cats would erupt for a 21-3 run to close the half. The catalyst was Jaxson Robinson, who dazzled the crowd multiple times and put on a shooting clinic.

The BYU transfer would pour in 15 points after shooting 5/9 from 3. In the blink of an eye, Kentucky took a 43-23 lead into the locker room after being ice-cold from 3-point land to start the game. This team proved it can get cooking in an instant.

Kentucky would begin cranking on all cylinders in the second half, imposing their will on Minnesota State.

Pretty much everyone got in on the scoring action, but it was Robinson once again who pushed the lead out for UK.

It ended up being a 98-67 dominating win for Kentucky that was as good as you could hope for outside of Amari Williams suffering what looks like a minor injury that led to him not playing in the second half, though he was seen riding on the exercise back.

It is a nice way to end exhibition play, as the Cats enter opening night on Monday. One observation from these two tuneup games is that this team should never be counted out of a game. They’re capable of going on a scoring run at any moment.

It’ll be fun watching Mark Pope polish them up as the long season unfolds.

MVP

Jaxson Robinson put on an absolute show in the first half, scoring 15 points on five made triples. He’d wow the crowd in on multiple occasions and was the main attraction in UK’s 21-3 run to end the half.

Robinson would pick up right where he left off, pouring in more shots from deep on his way to 24 points on 8/12 shooting from deep.

It was an incredible shooting display in Rupp Arena. Of course, it was an early-season exhibition game, but Robinson put the nation on notice that he’s one of the best scoring threats in college basketball.

Honorable mention to Otega Oweh who scored the first seven points of the game for the Wildcats and was a consistent scoring threat all night. Oweh would finish the game 7/8 from the field tallying 15 points to conclude a great exhibition season for the junior transfer from Oklahoma.

Box Score

Highlights

Twitter Reactions

Tonight’s starting 5️⃣

Lamont Butler
⚪️ Jaxson Robinson
Otega Oweh
⚪️ Andrew Carr
Amari Williams

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) October 29, 2024

Mitch Barnhart standing RIGHT behind the bench in Rupp Arena cheering with the fans

— Kentucky Hoops (@kentuckyhoopsig) October 29, 2024

First TV timeout: Kentucky 10, Minnesota State 4.

Otega Oweh scored the first 7 points for UK.

Cats pretty sloppy in the early going. Three turnovers (one was a shot-clock violation). Only 5 turnovers in 40 minutes last week.

— Ben Roberts (@BenRobertsHL) October 29, 2024

Amari Williams just came out of the game, was clutching at his right knee on the sideline and has departed back to the UK locker room.

— Ben Roberts (@BenRobertsHL) October 29, 2024

It’s a REALLY good thing for Kentucky that we are at least getting a few segments of competitive basketball tonight.

Need to answer some adversity. Score against some more resistance. See what “real” rotations look like.

Ball has slowed down a bit in the half court.

— Brandon Ramsey (@BRamseyKSR) October 29, 2024

With a huge spark from Jaxson Robinson, Kentucky was on an 18-0 run over the last 4 minutes

— Wyatt Huff (@Wildcat_wave) October 29, 2024

Solid half. Entertaining if nothing else, which matters. The exhibition not-so-hot-take is we saw what will cost this team games, and what will win it games.

And we know the leader- Lamont Butler is gonna will this team to some wins.

— T.J. Walker (@TJWalkerRadio) October 29, 2024

Anybody else playing a game of, “wait, is that guy Kentucky’s best player” every possession? #bbn

— Jamie Boggs (@jamiewboggs) October 29, 2024

Wildcats open 2nd half on 8-2 run; Minn St calls time. Garrison showing strong low post moves; playing for the injured Williams. Butler already with three steals

— Big Blue Insider (@bigblueinsider1) October 30, 2024

Only thing I can really nitpick in these exhibition games so far is rebounding. I could see some opponents hurting them on the offensive glass.

— Jeff Drummond (@JDrumUK) October 30, 2024

Oh, my. Carr with a dunk on the no-look lob from Kriisa. Minn State looks totally lost and calls time with exactly 10 minutes to play. 78-45; Ky with 36 fast break points; 11-29 from three. Robinson with 24 points – all on triples

— Big Blue Insider (@bigblueinsider1) October 30, 2024

JAXSON ROBINSON ARE YOU A HUMAN?

8-12 FROM 3.

— Casey (@BleedBlueCasey) October 30, 2024

Brandon Garrison is really, REALLY comfortable with the ball in the post.

Has great hands. Highly underrated passer. Plays with excellent pace. Can score over BOTH shoulders.

That left hand, right shoulder baby hook was beautiful!

— Brandon Ramsey (@BRamseyKSR) October 30, 2024

In 2 exhibition games, UK scored 221 points and made 34 3-pointers

— Keith Taylor (@keithtaylor21) October 30, 2024

By my rough count, 53 of 77 (68.8%) countable Kentucky basketball offensive possessions tonight against Minnesota State Mankato resulted in a UK shot attempt during the first 14 seconds of the shot clock. https://t.co/QPVGoaUn6Q

— Cameron Drummond (@cdrummond97) October 30, 2024

Not as excited after this one, but Mankato would be a middle-of-the-pack D1 team.

Most concerned with some defensive lapses, but overall a decent performance. We got to see that it will be very difficult for ALL players to be cold on the same day.

Hope Amari heals up fast!

— WT – Lamont Enthusiast (@WildcatsTongue) October 30, 2024

What did you think about Kentucky’s 98-67 win over Minnesota State?

28 assists on 37 buckets stands out.

Jaxson Robinson 66% from three.

Everyone else 5/25.

— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) October 30, 2024

We didn’t shoot great and still almost scored 100. Clean up some things defensively (Amari back will help), work a little on shot selection, and you’re golden

That’s a good Minnesota State team

— Locked On Kentucky (@LockedOnUK) October 30, 2024

Minnesota State head coach Matt Margenthaler opens thanking Mark Pope and Kentucky: “We’ve been treated like royalty.”

Says the way UK plays is how he wants his team to play.

— Aaron Gershon (@agershon99) October 30, 2024

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