When Kentucky and LSU clashed back in January, it was more than just another midweek SEC matchup - it was a pressure cooker. LSU’s head coach Matt McMahon had just been publicly put on notice by his athletic director, and the Tigers came out swinging, building an 18-point lead on the Wildcats without their star guard, Dedan Thomas. But then came the kind of moment that defines a season - Malachi Smith’s buzzer-beating jumper erased that lead and handed LSU a gut-punch loss they won’t soon forget.
That game was a reminder for Kentucky: nothing comes easy in the SEC, especially when you're facing a desperate team with something to prove. And that’s exactly what they’ll see again this Wednesday night when the Oklahoma Sooners come into Rupp Arena riding an eight-game losing streak and with head coach Porter Moser feeling the heat.
On paper, it might look like a mismatch. Oklahoma’s sitting at .500 overall and has just one win in SEC play.
Kentucky has Tennessee looming this weekend, and with a 9 PM tipoff against a team ranked No. 82 in the NET, it would be easy to look past the Sooners. But don’t expect that from this Wildcats squad.
“It’s the next game on our schedule, and every game is a must-win in the SEC,” said freshman guard Collin Chandler.
Trent Noah echoed the sentiment: “They’re super dangerous. Very good team, very well coached and they’re super talented. We’ve got to be level-headed and ready to go Wednesday - we have a huge one coming up.”
Now, that might sound like the usual player-speak, but in this case, there’s truth behind the words. Oklahoma’s record doesn’t tell the full story.
They’ve been in just about every game they've played - close losses to Nebraska, Alabama, Missouri, and Arkansas, all by two possessions or fewer. They even gave Texas A&M a run for their money on the road and led Texas by 14 before letting it slip away in the final minutes.
This team doesn’t quit. And they’re not coming to Lexington to roll over.
“Every game - I mean, their last I don’t know how many games have been like one-score games, so their record isn’t a very great indication of how good a team they are,” Chandler said. “So there’s no underestimation. You’ve got to come out ready to fight again, like we did against Arkansas.”
“They’ve lost - their SEC record, it might not be the most appealing, but they’ve lost so many close games,” Noah added. “They’re taking teams down to the wire.”
Oklahoma’s backcourt is the engine that keeps them competitive. Nijel Pack and Xzayvier Brown are as steady a 1-2 punch as you’ll find in the SEC.
Pack is putting up 16.3 points per game while hitting 43% from deep on 7.5 attempts a night - that’s elite volume and efficiency. Brown’s right behind him with 16.2 points per game, and both guards are also contributing over three rebounds and three assists each.
Up front, Tae Davis and Derrion Reid are giving the Sooners interior production with Davis averaging 12.5 points and 6.0 rebounds, and Reid chipping in 11.9 and 4.7. It’s not the deepest rotation in the league, but Moser’s top-end talent can hang with just about anyone when they’re clicking.
“They’ve got great shooters. Their point guard is great,” Chandler said.
“Their first two guards - their point guard and their shooting guard - are great scoring guards, they know how to score the ball. They have a lot of experience scoring the ball, so that’s a great challenge for every team, stopping them.”
And it’s not just about scoring. Oklahoma’s physicality and ability to get downhill make them tough to guard. Kentucky’s perimeter defense will need to be sharp, especially in keeping Pack and Brown from getting into rhythm early.
“They’re a big and physical team in getting downhill,” Chandler added. “So catching people’s moves and keeping those first two guards from having a game (will be key).”
Statistically, Oklahoma ranks 44th nationally in three-point attempts and 56th in makes - they’re not shy about letting it fly. Their effective field goal percentage sits at 53.9%, good for 74th in the country, and they boast the No. 52 offense in terms of efficiency. That’s not elite, but it’s certainly dangerous, especially when you consider how many of their games have come down to the final possession.
And don’t forget the revenge factor. Kentucky edged out Oklahoma twice last season - close contests in Norman and Nashville. That kind of history sticks with a team, especially one looking for any spark to reignite their season.
“They’re hot, and they can fill it up,” Noah said. “We had two close games with them last year, so they’re going to be coming back, coming into Rupp Arena and trying to get a win.”
Bottom line: this might not be a marquee matchup on paper, but it’s got all the ingredients of a trap game. Kentucky can’t afford to look ahead to Tennessee. Oklahoma may be struggling in the win column, but they’re still swinging - and they’ve got the firepower to make things uncomfortable if the Wildcats aren’t locked in from the jump.