Kentucky’s second exhibition of the fall looked every bit like the kind of test Mark Pope wanted.
Against No. 19 Texas Tech on Friday night at Rupp Arena, the Wildcats absorbed a sloppy first half, steadied themselves and then found enough shot-making to beat a ranked opponent 76-65. The result came in a preseason setting, but it still carried the feel of a real statement from a roster that is still taking shape before the season opener Tuesday, Nov. 3, against Manhattan.
Texas Tech arrived with plenty of weight behind it. Grant McCasland has taken the Red Raiders to the NCAA Tournament in all three of his seasons, and that includes an Elite Eight run in 2025. Kentucky still had to earn this one, and for long stretches it looked messy before the Wildcats finally seized control.
The breakthrough came late in the first half, when Kentucky ripped off a 15-0 run over a three-minute stretch and turned a shaky night into a 37-33 halftime lead. Ousmane N’Diaye punctuated the surge with a fast-break slam, and Milan Momcilovic added a corner three that helped wake up a crowd that arrived late but got a show once the Wildcats found their rhythm.
That burst mattered because Kentucky had spent much of the first half chasing the game. With nine minutes left before halftime, the Wildcats had already committed seven turnovers.
Texas Tech had just one and turned Kentucky’s mistakes into nine points. For a while, the Red Raiders had the cleaner edge.
Then Kentucky flipped the script by getting stops, forcing turnovers and finally playing with some snap.
The ball security never became perfect, but it did improve enough to matter. Kentucky finished with 11 turnovers, a far better number than the early sequence suggested. The second half wasn’t pretty, but it was good enough against a quality opponent.
Momcilovic kept driving the offense in the right direction. After shooting 4-for-7 from three against Little Rock, he followed that up by scoring 15 points on just five shots, including two more threes. Through two exhibitions, he’s looked like the kind of player who can settle things down when Kentucky’s offense starts to wobble.
Alex Wilkins supplied the late punch. After scoring only two points in the first half, he came alive down the stretch with several big threes, including one from the logo, and helped blow the game open when Kentucky needed separation. He finished with 13 points on 3-for-9 shooting, and his pair of deep makes came at exactly the right time.
Mason Williams added another strong showing as well. The first-year Wildcat scored 14 points and went 5-for-8 from the field, continuing to carve out a real place in the rotation. He did a little of everything and looked comfortable doing it.
Kentucky also showed a broader truth about this roster: jump shooting is going to matter. Against Little Rock, the Wildcats got seven players to make a three and finished 12-for-28 from deep. Against Texas Tech, they were just 7-for-24, but the ones that dropped were the kind that changed the game.
One more tune-up remains. Kentucky will face UCF on Oct. 28 at 6:00 PM ET, with the game set to air on the SEC Network.
In Other News...
Nick Saban Sees Something Real In Kentuckys Fast Start
Kentuckys quick climb under first-year coach Will Stein has started to draw attention well beyond Lexington. On College GameDay, Nick Saban pointed to the Wildcats 6-1 record and No. 12 ranking as evidence that this is more than a hot opening stretch, noting the kind of details that usually travel with teams that sustain success: a sturdy offensive line, disciplined play and a knack for winning tight games.
The broader SEC picture only adds to the intrigue. Kentucky heads into Week 8 tied with Georgia atop the conference standings, and its turnover margin has been among the best in the league. For a team that has spent the early part of the season turning close calls into wins, the next stretch will help show whether this fast start is a real leap forward or just the first chapter of a much tougher test. [Read more 🡒]
Kentuckys Point Guard Battle Is Suddenly Getting Tougher To Ignore
Kentuckys point guard picture is starting to take shape in the exhibition games, and the early read has made the competition harder to ignore. Zoom Diallo and Mason Williams are both getting a look as the staff evaluates who can best steady the offense, and the difference so far has come down to control, decision-making and the little plays that tend to decide who earns more run once the games start counting.
Diallo has shown flashes, but the turnover-to-assist balance has been an issue, while Williams has looked more composed with the ball and has added value on the defensive end with fewer turnovers and more steals. Mark Pope now has a real rotation decision to sort through, and how he divides the minutes between the two guards could tell you plenty about what kind of backcourt Kentucky wants to build. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky Showed One Encouraging Trait Fans Needed To See Early
Kentuckys second exhibition at Rupp Arena offered the kind of early-season response fans were looking for, even with some rough edges still visible. The Wildcats fell behind early, fought through turnover problems and still managed to take control in a 76-65 win over Texas Tech, a game that gave Mark Popes team another useful look at where it stands heading into the season.
Milan Momcilovic and freshman Mason Williams were among the brighter spots, helping Kentucky steady itself after the shaky opening stretch. Texas Tech was without its best player, JT Toppin, as he continues recovering from an ACL injury, but the Wildcats still found a way to show the one encouraging trait that can travel when the games start counting. [Read more 🡒]