Abdelrahman
Can the Kentucky Wildcats transform their current two-game success into three? Despite a strong performance, the Wildcats have yet to achieve a three-game winning streak in SEC competition, with their last successful stretch occurring in December against Gonzaga, Colgate, and Louisville. To achieve this feat, they’ll need to secure a road victory against Texas in their first-ever head-to-head clash since the Longhorns joined the conference. However, they’ll face this challenge without their second- and third-leading scorers, Jaxson Robinson and Lamont Butler, both ruled out prior to the Austin matchup.
KSR provides comprehensive insights into Kentucky’s next opponent.
Kentucky vs. Texas: Viewing and Listening Options
- Time: 8:00 PM EST
- Broadcasting: ESPN (Karl Ravech, Jimmy Dykes)
- Local Radio: UK Sports Network – 630 WLAP, iHeart Radio (Tom Leach, Goose Givens)
- Online Radio: iHeart
- Satellite Radio: Sirius 81 or 390
- Live Statistics: StatBroadcast
Engage with the game through our new LIVE BLOG on the website, set to start an hour before tip-off, or join the conversation on KSBoard.
Season Progress Overview
Kentucky: KenPom Ranking 18
- 11/4: 103-62 Win vs. Wright State
- 11/9: 100-72 Win vs. Bucknell
- 11/12: 77-72 Win vs. No. 6 Duke
- 11/19: 97-68 Win vs. Lipscomb
- 11/22: 108-59 Win vs. Jackson State
- 11/26: 87-68 Win vs. Western Kentucky
- 11/29: 105-76 Win vs. Georgia State
- 12/3: 70-66 Loss at Clemson
- 12/7: 90-89 Win (OT) vs. No. 7 Gonzaga
- 12/11: 78-67 Win vs. Colgate
- 12/14: 93-85 Win vs. Louisville
- 12/21: 85-65 Loss vs. Ohio State
- 12/31: 88-54 Win vs. Brown
- 1/4: 106-100 Win vs. No. 6 Florida
- 1/7: 82-69 Loss at Georgia
- 1/11: 95-90 Win at No. 14 Mississippi State
- 1/14: 81-69 Win vs. No. 11 Texas A&M
- 1/18: 102-97 Loss vs. No. 4 Alabama
- 1/25: 74-69 Loss at Vanderbilt
- 1/28: 78-73 Win at No. 8 Tennessee
- 2/1: 89-79 Loss vs. Arkansas
- 2/4: 98-84 Loss at No. 25 Ole Miss
- 2/8: 80-57 Win vs. South Carolina
- 2/11: 75-64 Win vs. No. 5 Tennessee
Texas: KenPom Ranking 35
- 11/4: 80-72 Loss vs. Ohio State
- 11/9: 90-59 Win vs. Houston Christian
- 11/13: 105-58 Win vs. Chicago State
- 11/17: 89-43 Win vs. Mississippi Valley State
- 11/21: 70-66 Win vs. Syracuse
- 11/22: 67-58 Win vs. Saint Joseph’s
- 11/27: 90-68 Win vs. Delaware State
- 12/3: 63-59 Win at NC State
- 12/10: 76-65 Loss vs. No. 25 UConn
- 12/14: 91-67 Win vs. New Mexico State
- 12/17: 121-57 Win vs. Arkansas Pine Bluff
- 12/23: 98-62 Win vs. New Orleans
- 12/31: 77-53 Win vs. Northwestern State
- 1/4: 80-60 Loss at No. 13 Texas A&M
- 1/7: 87-82 Loss vs. No. 2 Auburn
- 1/11: 74-70 Loss vs. No. 1 Tennessee
- 1/15: 77-73 Win at Oklahoma
- 1/18: 84-60 Win at No. 5 Florida
- 1/21: 61-53 Win vs. No. 22 Missouri
- 1/25: 70-69 Win vs. No. 13 Texas A&M
- 1/28: 72-69 Loss at No. 23 Ole Miss
- 2/1: 89-58 Win at LSU
- 2/5: 78-70 Loss vs. Arkansas
- 2/8: 86-68 Loss at Vanderbilt
- 2/11: 103-80 Loss vs. No. 2 Alabama
Historical Matchup Overview
Kentucky holds a 2-0 lead in the all-time series, marking this matchup as a significant milestone for Texas as it competes in its inaugural SEC season. The last matchup occurred in 2014 during the SEC/Big 12 Challenge, where UK triumphed 63-51, following an 86-61 victory at the Maui Invitational in 1993.
Rodney Terry has yet to face the Wildcats in his third season at Texas, while Mark Pope holds a 1-0 record against the Longhorns, stemming from a victory while at BYU. Notably, Pope did not compete against Texas during his playing days at Kentucky or Washington.
Kentucky vs. Texas Betting Odds
Point Spread: Texas -1.5
Total Points: 157.5
According to KenPom and Bart Torvik, both teams are projected to achieve victory, with predictions forecasting Kentucky to win 81-80 and 83-82, respectively. Meanwhile, ESPN’s BPI favors the Longhorns by 1.2 points, assigning them a 54.8% chance of victory.
Kentucky’s Likely Starters
#00 – Otega Oweh
6-4 – 215 – GUARD – JUNIOR
16.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.5 SPG
#4 – Koby Brea
6-7 – 215 – GUARD – GRADUATE STUDENT
10.8 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 1.0 APG
#1 – Trent Noah
6-5 – 220 – FORWARD – FRESHMAN
2.9 PPG, 1.3 RPG
#15 – Ansley Almonor
6-7 – 244 – FORWARD – SENIOR
6.1 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 0.4 APG
#22 – Amari Williams
7-0 – 262 – CENTER – GRADUATE STUDENT
10.4 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 3.0 APG
Texas’s Likely Starters
#1 – Julian Larry
6-3 – 185 – GUARD – SENIOR
5.6 PPG, 3.6 APG, 1.6 RPG
#20 – Tre Johnson
6-6 – 190 – GUARD – FRESHMAN
19.3 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 2.6 APG
#12 – Tramon Mark
6-5 – 200 – GUARD – SENIOR
8.9 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.5 APG
#25 – Jayson Kent
6-8 – 215 – FORWARD – SENIOR
5.1 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 0.5 SPG
#5 – Kadin Shedrick
6-11 – 231 – FORWARD – SENIOR
8.6 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.6 BPG
Statistical Overview
(Data from Kentucky’s game notes)
Here are some noteworthy statistics from UK’s game notes:
- Otega Oweh’s impressive scoring streak continues, achieving double figures in every contest this season. He leads the team with an average of 15.9 points per game. If he reaches this milestone against Texas, he will become the first Wildcat since Malik Monk in 2017 to score in double digits for 25 consecutive games.
- Kentucky has faced significant injury challenges this season, fielding a complete squad in only seven games thus far. With Kerr Kriisa out since December 11 and Lamont Butler, Jaxson Robinson, and Andrew Carr also unavailable, the squad is feeling the strain.
- Mark Pope has registered seven wins against top-25 teams, ranking fifth among SEC coaches in their first three years with the program. Kentucky’s eight victories against Quad 1 opponents are second nationally, only behind Auburn’s 13.
Pregame Highlights
WELCOMING TEXAS TO THE SEC
This season marks Texas’s inaugural journey in the SEC following their official incorporation into the conference for 2024-25. While Kentucky has faced the Longhorns twice previously, this will be their first encounter in Austin — and certainly at the Moody Center, a venue inaugurated in April 2022 after its construction began in 2019. The $375 million facility accommodates 15,000 fans for both basketball and entertainment. Will the Wildcats rise to the occasion in their inaugural SEC meeting?
ABSENCES OF BUTLER AND ROBINSON
In addition to Kerr Kriisa’s ongoing absence due to a fractured foot, both Lamont Butler and Jaxson Robinson have now also been ruled out. Butler is dealing with a shoulder issue, while Robinson is managing a wrist problem. This situation has left Kentucky with just nine scholarship players and only four guards available, including Travis Perry, Otega Oweh, Koby Brea, Collin Chandler, and Amari Williams handling ball-handling responsibilities in Austin — potentially for the foreseeable future as injuries are assessed.
KALUMA’S DOUBTFUL STATUS FOR TEXAS
While Kentucky grapples with its injury woes, Texas may also miss standout forward Arthur Kaluma, who has been listed as doubtful. The 6-7 senior transfer from Kansas State is currently the Longhorns’ second-highest scorer, averaging 12.9 points and leading the team with 7.9 rebounds per game.
SPOTLIGHT ON TRE JOHNSON
If Kaluma is unable to play, Tre Johnson will need to step up for Texas to have a shot at victory. The talented freshman, previously a five-star recruit who had Kentucky as a finalist, is averaging an impressive 19.3 points per game with remarkable shooting splits of 44/87/39 and has racked up nine games with 20 or more points and one with 30. “He’s a tremendous player and presents a real challenge,” Mark Pope commented about Johnson.
TERRY IN A PRECARIOUS POSITION?
With Texas sitting on the cusp of postseason contention in coach Rodney Terry’s third season, there’s a chance he could be coaching under significant pressure. Following a 23-point home loss to No. 2 Alabama, the Longhorns’ record fell to 15-10, and fans voiced their frustration. “I don’t concentrate on that. I didn’t hear any boos. If they were there, I’m indifferent. There’s nothing anyone can say or do that affects me. I’ve got the best support from God,” he stated.
TEXAS DESPERATELY SEEKS A SIGNIFICANT VICTORY
This sentiment aligns with Terry’s urgent position as head coach. The Longhorns have stumbled, losing four of their last five games in SEC play and currently hold a 4-8 league record, with only three Quad 1 victories this season. They’ve avoided any bad losses, remaining undefeated in Quad 3 and 4 contests, but the absence of marquee wins at 6-10 in Quad 1 and 2 matchups is concerning.
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