Andrija Jelavić Finds His Footing as Kentucky Prepares for SEC Showdown at Tennessee
KNOXVILLE, TN - Just a few weeks ago, Andrija Jelavić was barely part of the rotation. The 6-foot-11 sophomore forward out of Croatia didn’t see the floor against Indiana on December 13, and over the next four games, his minutes were nearly nonexistent - a lone seven-minute stint against Bellarmine the only blip on the radar.
But now? Jelavić is trending in the right direction - and fast.
He logged 17 minutes off the bench in Kentucky’s convincing win over Mississippi State, showing flashes of the skillset that had intrigued the coaching staff. Then came the big step forward: his first career start, on the road, in a hostile environment at LSU. And he delivered.
Jelavić played 21 meaningful minutes in that nail-biter of a win, posting a career-high 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting. He added five rebounds, a steal, and a block, and finished with a +8 plus-minus - second-best on the team, only behind Malachi Moreno, who hit the game-winner.
Kentucky head coach Mark Pope liked what he saw.
“I thought he was good. He made a couple shots for us, which was important,” Pope said.
“Conceptually, I thought he was pretty solid. … I actually think he's got better basketball in front of him.”
That’s a promising sign for a Kentucky team still trying to find its rhythm in SEC play. At 11-6 overall and 2-2 in the conference, the Wildcats are looking to build some momentum - and Jelavić’s emergence could be a timely boost.
Next up is a big one: a noon tipoff in Knoxville against border rival Tennessee. Both teams enter the matchup with identical 2-2 SEC records, and the stakes are clear.
A win pushes Kentucky above .500 in league play for the first time this season. A loss?
Another Quad 1 setback.
For Kentucky, the pieces are starting to come together. Moreno continues to develop into a reliable presence in the paint, and now Jelavić is showing he can be more than just a depth option. His size, touch around the rim, and improving feel on both ends of the floor give Kentucky another tool in the toolbox - especially important as the grind of conference play wears on.
And let’s not overlook the context. This is a Kentucky team that’s already been through a rollercoaster of a season.
They’ve beaten St. John’s and Mississippi State convincingly but also suffered lopsided losses to Gonzaga and Michigan State.
Consistency has been elusive. But if players like Jelavić continue to step up and carve out roles, the Wildcats could be rounding into form at just the right time.
Game Info: Kentucky at Tennessee
- Tipoff: Noon ET
- TV: ESPN
- Streaming: WatchESPN or Fubo (free trial available)
- Radio: UK Sports Network - Tom Leach (play-by-play), Jack Givens (analyst)
- Betting Line: Kentucky is a 5.5-point underdog; Over/Under set at 147.5
Looking Ahead
The road doesn’t get easier for Kentucky. After Tennessee, they’ll host Texas at Rupp Arena before welcoming Ole Miss.
Then it’s back on the road for matchups with Vanderbilt and Arkansas. The SEC slate is unforgiving, and depth will matter - which is why Jelavić’s resurgence is more than just a feel-good story.
It could be a difference-maker.
If he continues to build on the LSU performance, Kentucky’s frontcourt rotation gets a whole lot more interesting - and a whole lot more dangerous.
For now, all eyes are on Knoxville. It's a rivalry game, it's a measuring stick, and it might just be another breakout opportunity for a sophomore forward who's finally finding his stride.