Kentucky Basketball Returns Home, NBA All-Star Nods for Former Cats, and More from a Busy Weekend in Big Blue Nation
After a successful road swing capped by a gritty win in Fayetteville, Kentucky Basketball is heading back to the friendly confines of Rupp Arena for a crucial two-game homestand. And while the Wildcats are making moves on the hardwood, former Cats are making headlines in the NBA, and the women’s team just delivered a statement win of their own. Let’s break it all down.
Back to Rupp: Wildcats Host Oklahoma, Then Tennessee
Kentucky's win over Arkansas on Saturday was the kind of bounce-back performance this team needed after a rough outing earlier in the week. Now, they’ll look to build on that momentum with two games at home-starting Wednesday night against Oklahoma.
The Sooners come into Rupp struggling mightily in conference play, sitting at 1-8. On paper, this is a game Kentucky should handle, and KenPom agrees, projecting a 10-point win for the Wildcats.
But as we’ve seen this season, nothing is automatic. Kentucky will need to bring the same energy and execution they showed late in Fayetteville to avoid another trap.
Then comes Saturday. Tennessee.
A rivalry game. A rematch of that January thriller in Knoxville.
And this time, it comes with a bit of nostalgia-the Wildcats will don their iconic denim uniforms to celebrate the 30-year anniversary of one of the most memorable looks in college basketball history.
More than just a fashion statement, this game is a pivotal one in the SEC race. Holding serve at home is non-negotiable if Kentucky wants to stay in the hunt and keep building toward March. The emotional lift from the Arkansas win was real-now it’s about sustaining it.
Mark Pope Talks Tonight on the UK Sports Network
Head coach Mark Pope will join Tom Leach tonight for another edition of The Mark Pope Show on the UK Sports Network. It airs at 6 p.m. ET, and with the team fresh off a road win, expect Pope to bring some insight and energy to the conversation.
This is a chance to hear directly from the man steering the ship-what went right in Fayetteville, what needs tightening up, and how the team is preparing for this important stretch at home.
Chandler and Noah Set to Speak Tuesday
Before Oklahoma comes to town, Collin Chandler and Trent Noah will meet with the media on Tuesday to preview the week ahead. Chandler has been clutch in crunch time lately, making yet another big play down the stretch against Arkansas. He’s quickly becoming one of those guys who steps up when it matters most.
Noah also had a solid showing in the win, and both players will offer perspective on what’s clicking for the team right now-and what needs to keep improving as the competition ramps up.
Poll Watch: Wildcats Likely on the Outside Looking In
Despite the feel-good win over Arkansas, the damage from Tuesday’s 25-point loss to Vanderbilt may be too much to overcome in the eyes of the poll voters. With most ranked teams avoiding losses this past week, Kentucky is expected to fall outside the AP Top 25 when the new rankings drop.
Currently, the Wildcats sit at No. 28 in the NET Rankings and No. 30 in KenPom. The numbers suggest they’re still in the mix nationally, but this upcoming homestand will be critical in determining how they’re viewed heading into February.
Women’s Team Joins the Party with Statement Win at Arkansas
Not to be outdone, Kentucky Women’s Basketball had a big weekend of their own, rolling into Bud Walton Arena and leaving with a dominant 93-73 win over Arkansas. It was a 20-point statement on the road, led by a monster performance from Clara Strack.
Strack dropped 33 points and pulled down 15 rebounds, notching her 11th double-double of the season. A 14-5 run in the third quarter gave Kentucky the breathing room they needed, and they never looked back.
Also worth celebrating: Teonni Key made her return to the court after missing six games due to injury. She didn’t miss a beat, putting up 15 points and 10 boards in her return to action. Getting her back into the rotation is a big boost for Kenny Brooks’ squad as they continue to climb in the SEC standings.
NBA All-Star Weekend: Five Former Wildcats Get the Call
The NBA All-Star rosters are set, and once again, Big Blue Nation will be well represented. Five former Wildcats earned All-Star nods, with two landing starting spots.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder) and Tyrese Maxey (76ers) were voted in as starters for the West and East, respectively.
- Karl-Anthony Towns (Knicks), Devin Booker (Suns), and Jamal Murray (Nuggets) were named reserves.
Towns and Maxey will team up for the East, while Booker, Murray, and SGA will suit up for the West. It’s another reminder of the NBA pipeline Kentucky continues to produce-and the kind of talent that once wore blue and white in Lexington.
The 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend takes place February 13-15 in Los Angeles.
Doug Shows Was in Midseason Form
If you were watching college hoops this weekend, chances are you caught a glimpse of veteran referee Doug Shows doing what he does best-handing out technicals. Sunday’s Memphis-Tulane game saw Shows issue double techs in a heated moment, continuing a weekend where his whistle was working overtime.
Love him or hate him, Shows always finds a way to be part of the story.
KSR Heads to the Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is around the corner, and KSR is hitting the road. Later this week, the crew will be in San Francisco for Super Bowl coverage, with episodes of the NFL Cover Zero podcast dropping Wednesday through Friday. Expect a mix of football talk, Kentucky flavor, and plenty of personality.
Before heading west, the team will spend a few more days broadcasting from Lexington, including today’s show at 10 a.m., where they’ll dive into the weekend’s wins and look ahead to a big week for the Wildcats.
Final Word
It’s a packed slate for Kentucky fans this week. From key home games in Rupp to All-Star celebrations and women’s basketball dominance, there’s no shortage of storylines.
The challenge now? Keeping the momentum rolling.
Stay locked in. The stretch run is just getting started.