KSR Today: The Kentucky Wildcats are Undefeated
It feels good, doesn't it? That feeling you're feeling right now, that's the 1-0 feeling after the Mark Pope era of Kentucky basketball opened with a win.
Kentucky assisted on 30 of 39 made field goals as the Wildcats cruised to a 103-62 victory to open the 2024-25 basketball season. It was beautiful basketball from start to finish.
Otega Oweh Koby Brea were outstanding. Each wing only missed one shot and was perfect from three-point land. Oweh scored more points, 21 to Brea's 18, but the Dayton sharpshooter made one more three-pointer, knocking down 4-4.
Speaking of threes, we expected this team to live by the three. Kentucky shot 45.8% from the field on 24 attempts, but all of their early success was at the rim. They made 15 layups and scored 36 points in transition.
It was a stress-free, delightful night to celebrate a new era of Kentucky basketball. It's hard to complain about anything. Just drink it up and enjoy that 1-0 feeling.
Pope Grateful After First Kentucky WinMark Pope wore No. 41 for Kentucky. In his first game as the Kentucky head coach, the Wildcats won by 41.
"Only God could write that story," Koby Brea said after the victory. "It's unbelievable, honestly. For him to get his first win at the place he loves the most, and to do it by 41 points? His jersey number? That's honestly unbelievable."
The Kentucky Highlight of the NightSpeaking of scoring in transition, Kerr Kriisa could have easily driven to the basket for a layup. Instead, he threw this incredible pass across his body to Koby Brea for three.
You need more highlights. Go ahead andto watch Lamont Butler enter a spin cycle and a compilation of other fantastic plays.
Takeaways from the Win over Wright State Koby Brea Unleashes Inner Steph Curry Best Things We Saw During Mark Pope's Debut Mark Pope's Postgame Press Conference Amari Williams is 400 Pounds of Steel Racing Down the Floor Brea, Williams, Oweh Speak After the Win Mark Pope on First Win: "It's So Deeply Special to Me" Box Score: Ruthless Offensive Efficiency
Got thoughts? Continue the conversation on KSBoard, the KSR Message Board.
Kentucky Women's Basketball Romps in OpenerMark Pope wasn't the only new Kentucky basketball coach making his debut in Lexington. Two hours before tip-off at Rupp Arena, the Kenny Brooks era began with a 98-43 victory over USC Upstate at Historic Memorial Coliseum.
Clara Strack led the Cats with 22 points and eight rebounds. Georgia Amoore tallied a double-double in her debut with 11 points and 10 assists. Five players scored in double figures as Kentucky shot better than 52% from the field. Not too shabby.
Hear from Brooks and Amoore after the first win of the season and check out some of the seansational highlights .
Opening Night Court StormIt has been zero days since a college basketball court storm. No. 13 Texas A&M had three shots to tie the game, but couldn't get one to fall. UCF notched the first Top 25 upset of the college basketball season and students celebrated on the court .
The marquee matchup of the opening night of college basketball did not start until 11:30 pm EST, so you probably didn't stay up to watch Gonzaga blow the doors off of Baylor. The Bears lost 101-63, but they did have at least one good moment. Mark Few put his son in late and the poor kid's soul got removed from his body when VJ Edgecombe dunked directly on his head.
It's Election DayGo out and vote. Not everyone is lucky enough to live in a country where we get to play a part in choosing our leaders. That's why America is the best. Go out and celebrate our great nation by exercising your civic duty and submitting your ballot.
First CFB Playoff RankingsIf you'd rather not lock into election coverage, you can lock into something that surely won't be debated, the first CFB Playoff rankings of the 12-team era. Those will be revealed tonight at 7 pm EST along with a projected bracket. Surely, there will be no overreactions.
If you prefer actually watching the sport more so than the hot takes surrounding it, boy, do I have a treat for you. MACtion begins tonight with a pair of home underdogs. Central Michigan (+14) hosts Bowling Green at 7:30 EST and Ball State (+12) is taking on Miami (Oh.) at 8 pm EST.
