LEXINGTON, Ky. (WYMT) – The official start of the Kentucky basketball season is less than one week away but before the Wildcats start the regular season hosting Wright State, they Wildcats welcome Division II National Champion, Minnesota State Mankato for UK’s final exhibition game.

The Wildcats enter this exhibition game coming off an impressive 123-point performance against Kentucky Wesleyan that saw the Cats shoot 21-42 from beyond the arc.

“I think we were really good at pushing the pace,” graduate student Lamont Butler said. “We had a lot of transition opportunities and a lot of transition points, and we got up a lot of threes. That‘s kind of the thing Coach Pope and the staff have been preaching all year. We just have to keep doing that. I think that’s going to be big for us this year.”

Kentucky freshman and Harlan County native Trent Noah made his presence felt in the opening exhibition, scoring 12 points in less than 10 minutes.

“For Trent, he came in and hit four straight threes,” Butler said. “It was great to see that from him. He’s just been a great energy guy and effort guy all year.”

The Minnesota State Mankato Mavericks enter the exhibition coming off a 35-2 season that ended with a national championship.

The Wildcats said the important thing for them is to play to their standards.

Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. from Rupp Arena.

Tune into WYMT Mountain News at 11 for post-game highlights and analysis.

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