Kentucky vs. Texas Preview: Don’t Let the Records Fool You-This One’s Got Teeth
At first glance, tonight’s Kentucky-Texas matchup might look like a breather for the Wildcats. Texas is sitting at 11-7 overall and just 2-3 in SEC play, fresh off a rivalry loss at home to Texas A&M. But if you think this is a walkover, you haven’t been watching the film-and Mark Pope definitely has.
“Man, this Texas team is potent offensively. My goodness, they just have weapons everywhere,” Pope said while previewing the game.
And he’s not exaggerating. This Longhorns squad knows how to attack, especially when it comes to drawing contact and getting to the line.
In fact, they feature the top player in the country at getting to the free-throw stripe. That’s not just a stat-it’s a red flag for a Kentucky team that’s had its fair share of foul trouble this season.
If the Cats aren’t disciplined defensively, they could find themselves in a bind early. Texas thrives on baiting contact, and if the whistles start going their way, Kentucky’s depth could be tested.
The hope? A little home cooking from the Rupp Arena officials wouldn’t hurt.
A Little Revenge on the Menu?
Kentucky fans haven’t forgotten what happened the last time these two teams squared off. That game in Austin last season?
Brutal. The Wildcats were up 69-64 with just under four minutes left-then everything unraveled.
Final score: 82-78, Texas. A gut-punch loss that still lingers.
The guy who delivered the knockout blow? Tramon Mark.
He poured in 26 points that night and he’s back, playing some of the best basketball of his career. In conference play, he’s averaging 18.4 points per game and making it look smooth.
Pope’s scouting report on him says it all.
“He’s a tough guard,” Pope said. “He’s shooting 52% from mid-range... he’s a 1.04 points per possession player.
He’s a big shot maker, physically strong... He’s put them on his shoulders a couple of times.”
Mark is the kind of player who can flip a game script in a hurry. But he’s not doing it alone.
The Rise of Dailyn Swain
If Mark is the proven scorer, Dailyn Swain is the breakout star. He’s been a force in SEC play, averaging 17.6 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. That’s not just production-that’s impact.
“Swain is probably their most important player maybe in a lot of cases,” Pope noted. And he’s right.
Swain brings a blend of size, athleticism, and energy that makes him a matchup problem on both ends. If Kentucky wants to walk out of Rupp with a win, they’ll need to keep both Mark and Swain from getting into rhythm.
Game Info: What You Need to Know
- Tip-off: 7:00 PM ET
- Location: Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
- TV: SEC Network
- Streaming: Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, Sling TV
- Radio: Stream live at UKAthletics.com or on iHeartRadio via WLAP 630
- Local Stations:
- Lexington: 98.1 FM / 630 WLAP
- Louisville: 840 AM WHAS
- London: 103.9 FM WWEL
- Hazard/Pikeville: 101.1 WSGS
- Madisonville: 93.9 FM WKTG
Betting Lines (via FanDuel)
- Spread: Kentucky -6.5
- Moneyline: Kentucky -345, Texas +270
- Total: 154.5
This one’s got all the makings of a classic trap game. Kentucky’s riding high, and Texas is coming in hungry. The pace is expected to be in the 70s, and if Kentucky’s recent trend of sluggish starts continues, they could find themselves in a dogfight early.
But make no mistake-this isn’t a game to overlook. As Pope put it, “Anybody that goes on the road and beats Alabama, then beats Vandy at home, is a good team. We’ll have all the challenge we can possibly stand.”
The standings might not tell the full story, but the film sure does. Kentucky better be ready.