Kentucky didn’t just beat Oklahoma on Wednesday night — the Wildcats sent a loud, confident message to the rest of the SEC. In a 94–78 win at Rupp Arena, UK showcased elite shooting, unselfish offense, physical rebounding, and growing maturity, all while navigating the emotional undercurrent of a busy stretch that includes Arkansas and Tennessee looming on the schedule.
Head coach Mark Pope barely had time to enjoy the moment. After a brief postgame statement, he sprinted out of the media room, eager to reach the airport and reunite with his daughter Avery, who was returning home after completing her Mormon mission. That emotional snapshot fit the night perfectly — fast-moving, heartfelt, and full of positive energy.
“I’m super proud of our guys,” Pope said. “Really proud of the effort. Really proud of BG stepping up and being great. Otega continues to play at an elite level. We got contributions from everybody.”
With Pope gone, assistant coach Jason Hart took over the postgame media duties, and his answers revealed a team finding its identity at exactly the right time.
SHOT-MAKING FINALLY MATCHES THE WORK
Kentucky buried nine three-pointers in the first half, finishing 9-for-16 from deep before the break. According to Hart, the shooting explosion wasn’t a fluke — it was the result of daily commitment.
“We have a slogan called ‘make a play for a teammate,’” Hart said. “I thought our guys have been doing a tremendous job the past couple of weeks. Early on in the season we wasn’t making shots. But we practice every day. Guys are coming in faithfully shooting, and tonight they went in.”
That ball movement was evident throughout the night. Kentucky finished with 21 assists against just six turnovers, a stat Hart values deeply as a former point guard.
“If we take care of the ball, it gives us a chance to win,” Hart said. “When you share the basketball, it makes it more enjoyable to watch.”
BRANDON GARRISON’S GRIT SETS THE TONE
Brandon Garrison was everywhere — on the glass, in traffic, and right in the middle of any physical moment. He finished with 11 rebounds and brought the kind of edge Kentucky feeds off.
“He’s a young professional,” Hart said. “He comes to work every day. When you do that, the basketball gods will bless you.”
Garrison’s intensity also spilled into the emotional side of the game. When asked about his tendency to be involved in scuffles, Hart didn’t hesitate.
“Nothing. Keep doing that — we need that,” he said. “Kentucky is always the other team’s biggest game. We need physical play, and we feed off that.”
For a Kentucky team still forging its personality, Garrison’s toughness has become a defining trait.
OTEGA OWEH: CONSISTENCY AT AN ELITE LEVEL
Otega Oweh continued one of the most reliable scoring runs in the country, reaching double figures yet again. Incredibly, he has failed to score double digits in only three games during his entire Kentucky career.
“He’s a bad dude,” Hart said. “Sometimes I’m in awe watching him. He’s consistent, he’s our leader, and that’s why he was preseason SEC Player of the Year.”
Oweh’s motivation was amplified against his former school, but Hart emphasized that his excellence has become routine — not situational.
REBOUNDING, DEFENSE, AND COLLECTIVE TOUGHNESS
While the shooting grabbed headlines, Kentucky’s work on the boards quietly swung the game. Everyone contributed, led by Garrison, as the Wildcats consistently won second-chance opportunities.
Defensively, Kentucky focused on limiting Oklahoma’s perimeter threats, particularly in the first half. While the Sooners made a late push from deep, Hart credited his team for staying composed.
“They weren’t going to quit,” he said. “But we kept fighting and held them off.”
COLLINS CHANDLER AND ANDRIJA: PATIENCE PAYING OFF
Two of the most encouraging developments came from Collins Chandler and Andrija, players who stayed committed despite early-season challenges.
Chandler’s confidence has surged over the last few weeks, and Hart pointed to belief in Pope’s system as the key.
“He’s real comfortable now,” Hart said. “He’s grown, matured, got his legs back under him. We knew he could play at this level.”
Andrija’s journey has been even more complex, adjusting not only to college basketball but also to a new country, language, and culture. After time on the bench, he has emerged as a physical starter who plays with urgency.
“I don’t think he wants to go back to the bench,” Hart said. “He’s shooting with no fear and giving jaw. We need that.”
MOMENTUM AT THE PERFECT TIME
With Arkansas and Tennessee ahead, there was potential for a letdown. Instead, Kentucky delivered a complete performance — focused, physical, and connected.
“This team is believing,” Hart said. “And when we take care of the ball, share it, and defend, we can be one of the top teams in the SEC.”
On a night that blended family, firepower, and faith in the process, Kentucky looked every bit like a team ready to make noise — and sprint forward, just like its head coach, toward something special.
