Brandon Garrison Breaks Out as Kentucky Rolls Past Oklahoma
Kentucky didn’t just beat Oklahoma on Wednesday night - they steamrolled them. The Wildcats controlled the game from the opening tip, cruising to a 94-78 win at Rupp Arena that never really felt in doubt. But beyond the final score, the real story was Brandon Garrison.
The former Oklahoma State big man turned in the best performance of his Kentucky career - and frankly, one of the most impactful individual efforts we’ve seen from a Wildcat big this season. Garrison dropped 20 points and pulled down 11 rebounds in 29 minutes, five of those boards coming on the offensive glass.
That kind of presence inside? It changes the entire complexion of Kentucky’s frontcourt.
And make no mistake - this wasn’t just a hot night. It was a breakthrough.
Before Wednesday, Garrison had only scored in double figures once all season, and that came way back in early November. This was just the second double-double of his college career, and his first since December 2023. So what flipped the switch?
According to Garrison, it started with a heart-to-heart conversation with head coach Mark Pope last week, ahead of Kentucky’s game at Arkansas. Garrison described it as a moment where both he and Pope aired out some frustrations - the kind of honest dialogue that doesn’t always happen midseason, but can be a turning point when it does.
And clearly, it was.
Whatever was said behind closed doors, it unlocked a version of Garrison that Kentucky fans have been waiting to see - a physical, confident, and aggressive big who can not only hold his own but dominate in the paint. His energy on the offensive glass was relentless, and his ability to finish around the rim gave Kentucky a dimension they’ve been missing.
With Tennessee looming on Saturday night, this couldn’t have come at a better time. The Volunteers bring size and toughness, and Kentucky will need Garrison to keep bringing that same edge and physicality. If he can, this team suddenly looks a lot more dangerous - not just in the SEC, but on the national stage.
Tip-off against Tennessee is set for 8:30 PM ET on ESPN. If Garrison keeps trending in this direction, don’t be surprised if he becomes a key piece of Kentucky’s postseason puzzle.
The Wildcats are starting to click - and Garrison might be the missing piece that’s finally falling into place.