Amari Williams update

10/29/2024, 6:56:33 PM

The second half is underway and Amari Williams is done for the night. According to Darren Headrick, Williams is not available for the remainder of the game after limping off with an apparent knee injury in the first half. Williams came back out from the locker room toward the end of the first half and was spotted riding the stationary back, so let’s hope the injury is very minor and holding him out for the second half is simply a precaution.

Jaxson Robinson is on fire

10/29/2024, 7:45:33 PM

The BYU transfer showed us all why he is a legitimate NBA Draft prospect in that first half. Robinson poured in 15 points on five three-point field goals and powered that big Kentucky run. The wing looked like the best player on the team for a large stretch. Impressive shotmaking from the only player to follow Pope to Lexington to Provo.

HALF: Kentucky 43, Minnesota State 23

10/29/2024, 6:52:45 PM

Well, that changed quickly. After being cold for most of the first half, the Cats got microwave-hot, going on a 21-3 run to take a 20-point lead into halftime. A big chunk of that scoring came from behind the arc. Kentucky started the game 2-13 from three and have been 6-11 since. As Dickie V would say, these Cats have spurtability.

Jaxson Robinson leads the way with 15 points, all from threes. He’s the only player in double figures. Kentucky is shooting 43% from the floor and 33% from three. Check out the entire box score below.

Amari Williams Update: He’s on the exercise bike

10/29/2024, 7:34:50 PM

Williams is near the sideline on an exercise bike, working out that knee.

Rockcastle County Middle School Basketball got in and got upgraded

10/29/2024, 7:33:20 PM

Rockcastle County Middle School’s basketball team couldn’t practice tonight because the chorus had the gym, so the coaches brought the team to Lexington for a team-building trip. They were by me at the top of Section 236 when the game started, but quickly got an upgrade to the lower bowl from UK. There are plenty of open seats tonight.

Kentucky takes control with 10-0 run

10/29/2024, 6:30:37 PM

Watch out, because the Cats are heating up! Kentucky just went on a 10-0 run push the lead to 12, 32-20, with 4:06 to go until halftime. That stretch included threes by Trent Noah, Lamont Butler, and Jaxson Robinson.

Otega Oweh, Lamont Butler leading the way for the Cold Cats

10/29/2024, 6:25:34 PM

Kentucky still leads Minnesota State, but just barely 22-20 with 6:23 until halftime. The Cats are very, very cold, shooting just 9-22 from the floor and 2-13 from three. Mark Pope is letting them play through it, with Lamont Butler and Otega Oweh stepping up on defense and offense, Oweh scoring the last seven points, including this tough bucket:

ESPN+ is the Worst

10/29/2024, 7:23:59 PM

I understand that streaming is the way of the future. I’m a Millennial cord/cutter subscribed to WAY too many streaming services. I can say with 100% that ESPN+ is the worst by a country mile. 

I logged in last Wednesday to watch. Why must I login again? Wanna read a Bill Connelly article? Get ready to log in again!

I’m already watching most of my TV on YouTubeTV. Can we just make ESPN+ a channel and avoid the login madness? 

It’s a 1-Point Game

10/29/2024, 7:22:23 PM

The Cats were gassed but Mark Pope made them suck it up to reach the second media timeout. They led 18-14 as the long balls clanked off the rim. Minnesota State briefly cut it to a one-point game before the Cats woke up.

Welcome to the show, Kerr Kriisa (in a headband!)

10/29/2024, 7:12:11 PM

At long last, the Estonian sensation has arrived for the Cats. After missing the Blue-White Preseason Event and Kentucky’s first exhibition game vs. Kentucky Wesleyan, Kerr Kriisa made his debut early in the first half of the exhibition finale vs. Minnesota State.

And it took him no time to launch his first three in blue and white. It was a miss, but he’s got plenty of makes up his sleeve. Oh, and he’s got a headband on, so automatic bonus points there.

Sloppy start by Kentucky, Amari Williams limps off

10/29/2024, 7:07:50 PM

At the Under-16 timeout, Kentucky leads Minnesota State 10-4 with 15:26 to go until half, but it has been a sloppy performance by the Cats so far. Kentucky has turned the ball over three times thus far, just two fewer than they had in the entire first exhibition. In other, potentially very bad news, Amari Williams limped off clutching his knee. He’s in the locker room now. Hopefully, we’ll see him again soon.

Otega Oweh leads all scorers so far with 7 points on 3-4 from the floor to go along with 2 rebounds and an assist. Jaxson Robinson has Kentucky’s other bucket, a three.

Your starting lineup is…

10/29/2024, 6:59:26 PM

Who will get things rolling for the Cats tonight at Rupp?

Pregame crowd shot (shout out Jerry Tipton)

10/29/2024, 6:51:34 PM

We’re five minutes from tip-off here in Rupp Arena before the final dress rehearsal of the preseason. Since many of you are at home, here’s my best Jerry Tipton impersonation with a photo of the crowd as we count down to the 7 p.m. start.

Mark Pope wearing custom Book 1s

10/29/2024, 5:39:35 PM

Mark Pope is sporting some very special kicks tonight: a pair of Book 1s customized for the 1996 season. I’m not even a sneakerhead and I want a pair.

Mark Pope on Kerr Kriisa

10/29/2024, 5:35:37 PM

In case you missed Jack Pilgrim’s post below, Kerr Kriisa will play tonight. In his conversation with Tom Leach, Mark Pope said that he was hopeful Kriisa would be able to go and that the fifth-year senior guard has looked good the last few days at practice. Here’s hoping for a big debut for No. 77.

Who up, Live Blog?

10/29/2024, 5:30:14 PM

Greetings, friends. It’s good to be live blogging again (or love blogging for the true OGs). We’re excited to try out this new format for games. We’ll share score updates, highlights, and the best moments from the broadcast and social media, while those of us at Rupp (tonight, that’s Drew, Jack, Zack, Jacob, and Steven) give you an inside look at what it’s like at the game.

This is our first time trying this out for a game, so please be gentle.

Kerr Kriisa warms up ahead of Kentucky debut

10/29/2024, 5:58:48 PM

Will West Virginia transfer Kerr Kriisa make his debut in the final exhibition matchup? That answer is yes, KSR has learned. The fifth-year senior is currently participating in pregame warmups with the intention of suiting up against Minnesota State.

Unlike the KWC matchup, Kriisa came out in full uniform (and headband, in case you were curious) and fired up threes with his teammates.