The No. 23 Kentucky Wildcats faced off against Bucknell on Saturday afternoon, serving as their last chance to prepare for the Champions Classic against the Duke Blue Devils. By game time, Kentucky was favored by 28.5 points.
Mark Pope’s dynamic offense had impressed during two exhibition games and one regular season match. Would they maintain this momentum?
Starting the game were Lamont Butler, Jaxson Robinson, Otega Oweh, Andrew Carr, and Amari Williams, who quickly focused on offensive rebounds. Although Kentucky struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 6/19 in the first half, they dominated the boards with a 32-14 advantage.
Coach Pope had emphasized the need for greater effort in rebounding, and his team certainly delivered. Thanks to their vigorous board play, Kentucky led 47-31 at halftime.
While the performance wasn’t the smoothest, it was promising that the Wildcats still managed a 16-point lead.
As the second half began, Kentucky showcased exceptional ball movement against Bucknell, creating open shots for their players. Koby Brea benefitted greatly from this teamwork, scoring 20 points with an impressive 6/8 shooting from three-point range.
This strong outing set Kentucky up well for their significant matchup against Duke on Tuesday night, ending with a score of 100-72. The team’s chemistry was particularly notable in just their second game of the season.
As they prepare for the real competition, the anticipation for Tuesday is palpable. Mark Pope’s focus on shooting has become apparent as fans witness a flurry of three-pointers across games. Koby Brea, who continued his hot shooting from his debut, launched six triples against Bucknell, showcasing both his natural shooting ability and the effective ball movement creating those opportunities.
Brea has already made a strong impression in his short time at Kentucky, with his shots often seeming destined to go in.
Discussions around his starting position may soon arise—half jokingly, of course.
**Kentucky vs. Bucknell Twitter Reactions**
During the pregame radio show, Tom Leach inquired about specific Bucknell players, prompting Mark Pope to deliver detailed scouting insights and defensive strategies for each one.
Fans appreciated his thorough approach, especially as Kentucky dominated the early stages with an 8-1 rebounding lead, including three offensive boards during their first possession. As the game progressed, the Wildcats went on a 9-0 run while Bucknell struggled with their shooting.
