Kentucky Basketball took the floor Friday night for the second of three scheduled exhibition games before the season officially tips off Tuesday, Nov. 3, against Manhattan. This time, they were playing in a top-25 matchup against the No. 19 Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Not long ago, the idea of a Final Four contender like Texas Tech coming to Rupp Arena for an exhibition game would have been unheard of. But things are different now, and these kinds of marquee October matchups allow coaches to get an early pulse check on how their team responds to high-quality competition.
Texas Tech head coach Grant McCasland has led the Red Raiders to the NCAA Tournament in each of his first three seasons, including an Elite Eight run in 2025. Many have pegged Texas Tech as a national title contender when healthy.
As a college basketball fan, it’s hard to ask for a better pre-Halloween treat than watching the Cats take on a ranked Big 12 foe.
The first half was sloppy and painful to watch at times until the Cats flipped the script, stopped turning the ball over, and started forcing turnovers themselves. The result was a 15-0 run and the most beautiful stretch of hoops that we’ve seen this team play. Kentucky would take a 37-33 lead into the locker room.
Neither team wanted to back down in the second half, and it was back and forth until a pair of Alex Wilkins 3-pointers busted things open, giving Kentucky a nine-point lead with under three minutes to play.
They’d hang on to win 76-65 in what became a solid team win and shouldn’t be dismissed because of the exhibition designation.
Kentucky will have one more chance to tune up via an exhibition contest versus UCF on Oct. 28 at 6:00 PM ET. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.
Here are five things to know for Kentucky’s fun exhibition win over the Red Raiders.
Cats look crisp during 15-0 first-half run
After the air was seemingly being sucked out of Rupp Arena, the Wildcats flipped the script, going on a 15-0 run over a three-minute stretch late in the first half. The impressive stretch on both ends of the floor gave the BBN a glimpse of what this team can produce right now.
The run was highlighted by an emphatic Ousmane N’Diaye fast-break slam and a swaggy corner three from Milan Momcilovic. It was just what the doctor ordered for a late-arriving crowd inside Rupp Arena. Fans got a taste of how well this team can execute offensively and defensively when things are clicking.
The 15-0 rally gave Kentucky a 37-33 halftime lead, despite Texas Tech controlling most of the first half.
Taking care of the ball:
After a rough start to exhibition play a week ago against Little Rock, the Cats came out careless with the ball again. Only this time, their opponent had the firepower to make them pay for it.
With nine minutes remaining in the first half UK had already committed seven turnovers compared to just one for the Red Raiders. Texas Tech converted those turnovers into nine points on the other end. Thankfully, an explosive streak on offense erased the damage and then some.
Half number two wasn’t exactly poetic basketball, but Kentucky tightened up the offense enough to beat a very good team on their home floor.
UK would finish the game with only 11 total turnovers.
Milan Momcilovic is proving to be worth every penny
After looking sharp in UK’s first exhibition game against Little Rock, Milan Momcilovic would follow up his 4/7 shooting performance from deep by knocking down another pair of triples while scoring 15 points on only five shots.
It’s evident through just two exhibition games that Momcilovic will be the straw that stirs the drink. When things get shaky for the Cats offensively, getting him the ball usually results in a solid possession, whether it’s facilitating a clean look for himself or a teammate.
As long as he stays healthy, Momcilovic is going to have a season for the Kentucky record books.
Alex Wilkins comes up big late
After just two points in the first half, Wilkins remained confident and drilled several big late threes, including one from the logo. Those shots were not only critical plays in the game, but also important confidence builders for Wilkins heading into the regular season.
At the end of the day, the roster Mark Pope has assembled in his third year will be heavily dependent on making jump shots. Last week against Little Rock, seven different Cats made a three-pointer, resulting in a collective 12/28 shooting performance behind the arc.
Tonight against a much better defensive opponent, Kentucky made just 7/24 from deep, but Wilkins drilled the two that mattered most. He’d finish with 13 points on 3/9 shooting.
Mason Williams balls out
It’s not too late to buy Mason Williams stock if you’re late to buy in. The first year, Wildcat did a little bit of everything on Friday night and looked good doing it. His tenacious spirit and knack for putting the ball in the basket are starting to shine through. Tonight, Williams scored a casual 14 points, shooting 5/8 from the field.
There’s now no denying that Mason Williams has carved out a role on this team, and now it’s just a matter of how big that role will be.
The fans are clearly behind him, as reflected on social media after the big win.
Now, let’s celebrate.
Go CATS!