The Kentucky Wildcats maintained their strong season start with a 100-72 victory over Bucknell at Rupp Arena, highlighting their depth and balanced offensive play.
In their initial two games, the Wildcats have consistently scored over 100 points, showcasing a well-rounded scoring effort with multiple players reaching double figures.
There was much interest in how Kentucky’s offense would function under first-year coach Mark Pope. Thus far, he has not disappointed, successfully developing a team primarily built from transfer players.
Bucknell’s head coach, John Griffin III, acknowledged Pope’s impressive job in compiling a talented roster.
“Mark Pope has done an excellent job of assembling a roster of very good basketball players, very good college basketball players, and they’ve quickly, through hard work, I can only imagine, found the magic wand of unselfishness. It’s impressive,” Griffin III remarked in postgame interviews.
Against Bucknell, Kentucky had five players score in double figures, led by Koby Brea with 20 points, followed by Jaxson Robinson with 14, Amari Williams with 13, Andrew Carr with 11, and Otega Oweh with 10.
Additionally, Williams achieved a double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds, while Kerr Kriisa contributed off the bench with 12 assists, facilitating his teammates’ scoring opportunities.
The Wildcats’ performance was commendable, but they are now preparing for a significant challenge, facing the Duke Blue Devils on Tuesday night at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, at 9:00 PM ET on ESPN during the State Farm Champions Classic.
