Kentucky’s basketball team faces a critical juncture as they prepare to host the Indiana Hoosiers. The Wildcats are currently 0-4 against marquee opponents this season, and the pressure is mounting to secure a significant victory. This matchup carries added intrigue as it features Lamar Wilkerson, a former Kentucky target who has emerged as a standout player for Indiana, recently exploding for 44 points. The question on everyone’s mind is whether Kentucky possesses the capability to overcome this formidable challenge.
Game Day Information
- Tipoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Television: ESPN (Announcers: Dave O’Brien, Charles Barkley, Dick Vitale)
- Local Radio: UK Sports Network (Tom Leach, Goose Givens)
- AM: 840 WHAS, 630 WLAP
- FM: 98.1 WBUL
- Online Streaming: iHeart Radio
- Satellite Radio: Sirius XM (Details TBA)
Fans can also follow along with live updates and join the discussion on the KSR LIVE BLOG, which will commence a few hours before tipoff, and on KSBoard, Kentucky’s premier basketball message board.
Season Overview
Kentucky Wildcats (KenPom Rank: 20)
- November 4: Won 77-51 vs. Nicholls
- November 7: Won 107-59 vs. Valparaiso
- November 11: Lost 96-88 at No. 12 Louisville
- November 14: Won 99-53 vs. Eastern Illinois
- November 18: Lost 83-66 vs. No. 17 Michigan State
- November 21: Won 88-46 vs. Loyola (Md.)
- November 26: Won 104-54 vs. Tennessee Tech
- December 2: Lost 67-64 vs. No. 16 North Carolina
- December 5: Lost 94-59 vs. No. 11 Gonzaga
- December 9: Won 103-67 vs. NC Central
Indiana Hoosiers (KenPom Rank: 21)
- November 5: Won 98-51 vs. Alabama A&M
- November 9: Won 100-77 vs. Marquette
- November 12: Won 101-70 vs. Milwaukee
- November 16: Won 69-61 vs. Incarnate Word
- November 20: Won 73-53 vs. Lindenwood
- November 25: Won 86-69 vs. Kansas State
- November 29: Won 100-56 vs. Bethune Cookman
- December 3: Lost 73-64 at Minnesota
- December 6: Lost 87-78 vs. Louisville
- December 9: Won 113-72 vs. Penn State
Series History
The storied rivalry between Kentucky and Indiana is set to be renewed. In 57 previous matchups, Kentucky holds a commanding 32-25 advantage, including a strong 10-3 record in Lexington. This marks the first regular-season meeting since December 10, 2011, with their last encounter being in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2016. Notably, neither head coach, Mark Pope nor Darian DeVries, has faced the opposing program before. However, Mark Pope has personal experience against the Hoosiers as a player, boasting a perfect 2-0 record, including victories in Louisville and Indianapolis during the 1995-96 season.
Betting Lines and Projections
Despite recent struggles against top competition, oddsmakers favor Kentucky at home, with the Wildcats opening as 5.5-point favorites. The line has since shifted slightly to UK -3.5. The over/under for the game is set at 159.5 points, with a projected score of 81.5-78 in favor of Kentucky.
Advanced analytics also lean towards the Wildcats. KenPom projects a 78-74 victory, while Bart Torvik anticipates a closer 77-75 outcome. Kentucky’s record against the spread (ATS) stands at 4-6, and they have failed to cover in their last three contests. Indiana, on the other hand, is 6-4 ATS and has a 3-2 record against high-major opponents.
Potential Starting Lineups
Kentucky Wildcats
* #1 – Denzel Aberdeen (6-5, 195 lbs, Senior Guard): Averaging 12.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.5 APG
* #5 – Collin Chandler (6-5, 205 lbs, Sophomore Guard): Averaging 11.2 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 3.0 APG
* #00 – Otega Oweh (6-4, 215 lbs, Senior Guard): Averaging 14.4 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 2.4 APG
* #9 – Trent Noah (6-5, 220 lbs, Sophomore Forward): Averaging 6.0 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.0 APG
* #24 – Malachi Moreno (7-0, 250 lbs, Freshman Center): Averaging 10.1 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.5 APG
Indiana Hoosiers
* #6 – Tayton Conerway (6-3, 190 lbs, Redshirt Senior Guard): Averaging 12.3 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.9 SPG
* #5 – Conor Enright (6-1, 180 lbs, Redshirt Senior Guard): Averaging 3.6 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 4.9 APG
* #3 – Lamar Wilkerson (6-6, 205 lbs, Senior Guard): Averaging 18.8 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 2.6 APG
* #12 – Tucker DeVries (6-7, 225 lbs, Senior Forward): Averaging 17.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 3.4 APG
* #4 – Sam Alexis (6-9, 240 lbs, Senior Forward): Averaging 9.0 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.5 APG
Statistical Snapshot
Key Statistics and Trends for Kentucky:
- Otega Oweh has been a consistent scorer, reaching double figures in all ten games this season and in 43 of his last 46 appearances for Kentucky.
- The Wildcats have featured eight different leading scorers or co-leaders through the first ten games, with four players achieving 20-point performances.
- Kentucky has dealt with significant injury concerns, with Jayden Quaintance missing all ten games, Jaland Lowe missing six, Mo Dioubate missing five, and Trent Noah missing one.
- The team’s three-point shooting has been a positive factor. Kentucky is 20-4 under Mark Pope and 4-1 this season when making at least ten three-pointers, and 5-0 when shooting 36% or better from beyond the arc.
- Kentucky boasts an 8-0 record under Mark Pope when scoring 100 or more points, a feat they accomplished against NC Central earlier this week.
Pre-Game Narratives
The Urgency for a Signature Win
While it may be early in December, the Wildcats find themselves in a position where each game feels like a must-win. After a disappointing November, the matchup against North Carolina was seen as an opportunity to rebound and prove that previous losses were mere blips. The subsequent game against Gonzaga, a highly anticipated clash with a preseason Final Four contender, ended in a significant defeat, leaving the team facing criticism.
Now, with expectations recalibrated, the focus shifts to salvaging the season. The immediate goal is not a national championship, but securing a berth in the NCAA Tournament. A loss to Indiana would put Kentucky in a precarious position heading into their matchup with St. John’s next week and the start of SEC play in January. This game is crucial for regaining momentum and steering the season in a positive direction.
Lamar Wilkerson’s Return to Lexington
Lamar Wilkerson, the dynamic shooter who transferred from Sam Houston State, will make his return to Lexington, but this time as an opponent. Having previously considered Kentucky, Wilkerson ultimately chose Indiana, a decision facilitated by a significant investment and coaching staff changes for the Hoosiers. Under coach Darian DeVries, Wilkerson has become Indiana’s leading scorer, averaging 18.8 points per game with impressive shooting splits of 47% from the field, 43% from three, and 79% from the free-throw line. His recent 44-point outburst, including 10 three-pointers against Penn State, highlights his offensive prowess. Coach Pope acknowledged Wilkerson’s talent, stating, “We love shooters. We love guys that make shots, and he’s made a career of doing that. He’s got a toughness to him that’s pretty great.” Wilkerson will undoubtedly be a primary focus of Kentucky’s defensive scouting report.
Resurrecting a Historic Rivalry
The agreement to renew the Kentucky-Indiana rivalry, spanning four years with games scheduled in Lexington, Indianapolis, and Rupp Arena, is a welcome development for college basketball fans. This historic matchup provides both teams with an opportunity to achieve a much-needed statement victory. Mark Pope expressed his enthusiasm for the series, stating, “I love this game. I love all these games, I mean, I love them all. And this is Indiana-Kentucky… I love the game. I have such great memories of playing in these games, and I like it for us, I like it for fans, and I like it for Indiana, and I think it’s a great game.”
Can Jaland Lowe Find His Rhythm?
The return of Jaland Lowe from a shoulder injury has been met with anticipation, but his performance against NC Central was far from a tune-up. Benched for the first half, Lowe finished with zero points in eight minutes of second-half action. Coach Pope commented on Lowe’s brief appearance, “I thought Jaland was really good. He is just a play-making guy, like it’s in his DNA. He’s got a point guard vibe to him that is unique on our roster. It’s really important. We’re dealing with a lot of stuff with J-Lowe, you know, his health is always going to be a major part of this. We try to keep his minutes a little bit restricted. I thought he was terrific.”
Now, the question remains whether this game will mark a breakout performance for Lowe. Previously an All-ACC contributor at Pitt and a preseason All-SEC selection, Lowe has averaged a modest 4.0 points, 3.3 assists, and 1.0 rebounds in 17.5 minutes per game over his four appearances. Kentucky desperately needs Lowe to recapture his previous form to bolster their backcourt.
The Potential Return of Key Players
For the first time this season, Kentucky has experienced consecutive days of full-team practice, a significant development. While Jaland Lowe has already returned, the team is eagerly awaiting the availability of Mo Dioubate and Jayden Quaintance. Coach Pope described Dioubate’s potential return as a “Christmas miracle,” though his status for the Indiana game remains uncertain. “Maybe. We’ll see. I don’t know. We’ll see, maybe. I mean, he certainly could help us,” Pope stated. Regarding Quaintance, Pope expressed optimism, suggesting that his return is now measured in weeks rather than months. The potential return of these players, even if only one is available, injects a dose of excitement for Big Blue Nation.
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