Kentucky Wildcats Start the Season with a Dominant Win: Will the New Lineup Take Wildcats to Greater Heights?

The Kentucky Wildcats have completed their final preseason game by defeating Minnesota State Mankato, the reigning NCAA Division II champions, with a score of 98-67 at Rupp Arena on Tuesday night. This match served as the last chance for Coach Mark Pope and his team to test their lineup and thoroughly prepare before officially starting the 2024-25 season.

Although this win wasn’t as overwhelming as their first game against Kentucky Wesleyan, it demonstrated a solid Wildcats performance, albeit with some areas still needing improvement. The team led their opponents by as much as 40 points, with Jaxson Robinson standing out as he scored 24 points, hitting 8 out of 12 three-pointers, while adding six rebounds and three assists.

Jaxson Robinson – The Bright Star in the Wildcats’ Lineup

Jaxson Robinson, last season’s leading scorer for Coach Mark Pope at BYU, shined with an impressive shooting performance. After scoring 19 points against Kentucky Wesleyan, Robinson continued to assert his place, contributing 24 points in this game. His contributions were not only limited to points but also included six rebounds and three assists, helping the Wildcats maintain their commanding lead.

Besides Robinson, Otega Oweh made an impact with 15 points, six assists, and three steals, missing only one of his eight field-goal attempts. Additionally, Andrew Carr scored 14 points, with four powerful dunks in the second half, while Brandon Garrison contributed 12 points.

Early Challenges and Timely Adjustments

Despite the large winning margin, the Wildcats faced a few difficulties in the first half. The game began somewhat sloppily as Kentucky committed five turnovers before the first TV timeout. This was surprising, considering they had only five turnovers throughout the entire game against Kentucky Wesleyan. Furthermore, the Wildcats struggled with three-point shooting, making just 2 of their first 13 attempts.

However, after the under-eight TV timeout, the Wildcats quickly regained their rhythm, scoring 18 consecutive points. Robinson led this scoring run with three three-pointers, supported by Lamont Butler and Trent Noah each contributing a three-pointer. By halftime, the Wildcats led 43-23 and extended the margin to 30 points early in the second half with another three-pointer from Robinson.

Concerns Over Amari Williams’ Injury

Another notable highlight was the knee injury sustained by Amari Williams, the team’s 7-foot forward, in the first half. Williams left the court clutching his right knee but didn’t require assistance. Although he didn’t return to play, he joined his teammates for warm-ups in the second half. Coach Pope confirmed that X-rays showed stable results and expressed optimism about Williams’ quick recovery. Brandon Garrison took over Williams’ spot in the second half and performed well.

Kerr Kriisa Makes His Debut

Tuesday night’s game also marked the debut of Kerr Kriisa for the Wildcats. Kriisa, an outstanding point guard who previously played for West Virginia and Arizona, had missed earlier games due to a hamstring injury. He entered the game with over 15 minutes left in the first half and ended with 3 points, four rebounds, six assists, and no turnovers. With a 42.4% three-point shooting average last season at West Virginia, Kriisa promises to be a strong asset in the Wildcats’ strategy.

A New Season Begins

The new era under Coach Mark Pope officially kicks off on Monday night as the Wildcats face Wright State at Rupp Arena. The Wildcats’ 2024-25 campaign opener will be broadcast live on ESPNU at 7 p.m. Wright State, which finished last season with an 18-14 record, is considered a strong opponent, especially with Brandon Noel, the Horizon League’s Preseason Player of the Year.

This opening game will be an opportunity for the Kentucky team to refine their strategy and lineup before what promises to be an exciting and challenging season. For Wildcats fans, this is an eagerly awaited moment as the team prepares to embark on a new season filled with potential and great expectations.