No. 23 Kentucky had to sweat one out Friday night, but a late push was enough to hold off James Madison and escape Rupp Arena with an 89-80 win.
The Wildcats moved to 2-0, while the Dukes dropped to 0-2 after making Kentucky work far harder than expected. James Madison kept landing punches from deep all night, and for long stretches the game looked like it might turn into a real problem for the Big Blue Nation.
Justin McBride played a major role in making sure it didn’t. The former Duke transfer, who spent last season at JMU, gave Kentucky 13 points and eight rebounds and was one of the loudest energy sources in the building. Alex Wilkins and Zoom Diallo led the scoring for the Wildcats with 16 points apiece, Mason Williams added 12 points and five assists, and Braydon Hawthorne finished with 10 points and four rebounds.
Kentucky also got junior Kam Williams back on the floor for his season debut after an injury recovery. He played nine minutes and finished with two points, one rebound and one assist.
The Wildcats came out sharper than they had in the preseason and season-opener, getting an early lift from a pair of threes by Wilkins and Milan Momcilovic. That helped Kentucky get ahead early, but the flow changed quickly when Wilkins picked up two fouls and headed to the bench for the rest of the half.
Momcilovic, who finished with seven points on 2-9 shooting, had a harder time finding clean looks after that, and Diallo had to carry more of the load. He delivered 10 points before halftime.
Even with the offense moving well, Kentucky couldn’t separate. The Wildcats shot 45.5 percent from the field in the first half and turned it over only four times, which should have been enough to build a cushion.
Instead, the defense kept leaving James Madison open from the perimeter. The Dukes took 26 threes before halftime and made nine of them, while committing just one turnover.
Diallo’s layup at the buzzer sent the teams into the break tied at 39.
The second half stayed tight until Kentucky finally found the run it needed. James Madison grabbed a 56-54 lead, but the Wildcats answered with an 8-0 burst capped by a McBride three to go back in front by six with under 12 minutes left. Ousmane N’Diaye followed with a three out of a timeout, stretching the run to 11-0.
James Madison kept hanging around, but back-to-back threes from Mason Williams and McBride finally gave Kentucky some breathing room at 79-68, its first double-digit lead of the night. Brandon Lee led the Dukes with 26 points, and JMU finished with 15 made threes on 45 attempts, but Kentucky closed it out from there to avoid the upset.
In Other News...
Kentucky Heads Into Tennessee With One Big Availability Concern
The SEC Availability Report for Kentuckys trip to Tennessee has been updated, and it gives the Wildcats a clearer picture of who will and wont be available heading into a rivalry game that already carries plenty of weight. Kentucky did get one player moved up to probable, which is at least a small sign of progress as the team continues to work through a list of long-term injuries that have thinned the roster.
Tennessees report brings its own set of concerns, with multiple long-term injuries and several starters already ruled out for the season. For Kentucky, the bigger question is how much the latest availability shift changes the rotation and whether the Wildcats can absorb the absences well enough to stay competitive in a game where depth and health may matter as much as anything else. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky Gets One More Clue About Mark Pope Before Bigger Tests
Preston Spradlins return to Lexington adds a little extra texture to a game Kentucky is expected to handle comfortably. The former Wildcats assistant now leads James Madison, a program that has established itself as one of the stronger teams in the Sun Belt, so this is not just a nostalgia visit for an old staff hand. It is also another early look at how Mark Popes group is settling in before the schedule gets tougher.
Pope has already made one notable roster decision by ending recruiting efforts with two five-star prospects after adding a new center, a sign the front office is focused on the pieces already in place. For Kentucky, the bigger picture is less about one December-like matchup and more about how the coach balances evaluation, development and the realities of a roster that may be largely set. Games like this can still offer a useful read, even if the betting line suggests the Wildcats should be in control. [Read more 🡒]
Lance Heard Is Giving Kentucky Fans One More Reason To Watch Tennessee
Lance Heard has given Kentucky fans a fresh reason to keep an eye on Tennessee, even with the rivalry game still ahead. The Wildcats offensive lineman was named one of 12 semifinalists for the 2026 Lombardi Award and is also on the Outland Trophy watch list, recognition that reflects just how steady he has been this season.
Heard has logged 461 snaps and drawn praise for both his performance and the way he has carried himself inside the program. Coach Will Stein has singled out Heards leadership and overall impact heading into Kentuckys matchup with Tennessee, adding another layer to a game that already carries plenty of weight for the Wildcats. [Read more 🡒]