{"id":529495,"date":"2026-01-11T13:17:11","date_gmt":"2026-01-11T13:17:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/529495\/"},"modified":"2026-01-11T13:17:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T13:17:11","slug":"uk-wildcats-news-kentucky-football-and-basketball-shine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/529495\/","title":{"rendered":"UK Wildcats News: Kentucky Football and Basketball Shine"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Yesterday was a big day for both the Kentucky men\u2019s basketball and football programs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">On the basketball court, Mark Pope\u2019s squad bounced back from that loss to Missouri in a huge way, with a 24-point win at Rupp Arena over the visiting Mississippi State Bulldogs by a score of 92-68.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">The Cats started slow, falling behind 18-6 early. However, from there, it was all Kentucky, as the Wildcats put together one of their best performances of the season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">The Wildcats moved the ball well, finishing with 21 assists on 37 made field goals. Those 21 assists are the highest total for Kentucky against a power conference opponent this season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">It was a game where pretty much every player on the floor played well, but particularly so for Otega Oweh, who finished with a team-high 22 points and looked a lot like the Oweh we saw last year. Kam Williams showed how much of an impact player he can be with 14 points and 5 rebounds. Malachi Moreno had a great night too with 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">All in all, it was a feel-good win for Kentucky at a much-needed time. Now, the key will be keeping that momentum going with some big games coming up.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">But it wasn\u2019t just a big night for the UK Basketball program last night.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Will Stein and the UK Football program had a great day yesterday, too, with four portal commitments.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Early in the day, the Cats landed a commitment from Tennessee offensive tackle Lance Heard. The Cats were looking pretty thin at the tackle position, and while they still need to be shopping for another tackle, landing Heard was massive.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Heard was one of the top tackles in the SEC last year at Tennessee after starting his career at LSU. Between his time in Baton Rouge and Knoxville, Heard has 25 career starts and was named Third Team All-SEC last fall.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Kentucky also picked up a commitment from Texas transfer linebacker Elijah \u201cBo\u201d Barnes. Barnes saw limited action for the Longhorns this past season, but played in the bowl game against Michigan, finishing with 3 tackles and a sack.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Barnes was one of the top linebackers in the 2025 recruiting class, so there is plenty of potential to work with there.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">The Cats also picked up commitments from Mississippi State safety Cyrus Reyes and South Florida kicker Adam Zouagui.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Will Stein and Co. still have some needs to address in the portal, namely the wide receiver position, but yesterday\u2019s portal haul included some big pieces.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Big game for Malachi last night.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kentucky.com\/sports\/spt-columns-blogs\/mark-story\/article314274392.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">5 things to know from Kentucky\u2019s win over Mississippi State &#8211; Herald Leader<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">The Cats really dominated after that slow start.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/247sports.com\/college\/kentucky\/article\/mark-pope-speaks-on-jaland-lowe-injury-mississippi-state-270446283\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Pope says all options on the table with Jaland Lowe &#8211; Cats Pause<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Hopefully we learn more today.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/teams\/kentucky-wildcats\/news\/martels-carter-signs-return-deal-kentucky-2026-season\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Martels Carter expected to return to Kentucky &#8211; KSR<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Carter could be a key piece in the secondary.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ukathletics.com\/news\/2026\/01\/10\/kentuckys-ray-davis-named-first-team-all-pro-special-teams\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Former Cat Ray Davis named First Team All-Pro for special teams &#8211; UK Athletics<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/47573091\/john-harbaugh-limit-coaching-interviews-teams\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Harbaugh will limit interviews to just a few teams &#8211; ESPN<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Where will Harbaugh be coaching next season?<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/bleacherreport.com\/articles\/25355456-dennis-schroder-suspended-nba-after-reported-confrontation-lakers-luka-doncic-after-loss\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dennis Schroder suspended for reported confrontation with Luka &#8211; Bleacher Report<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">He apparently tried to hit Luka after the game.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/mlb\/breaking-news\/article\/alex-bregman-reportedly-agrees-to-5-year-175-million-deal-with-cubs-033936891.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Bregman reportedly agrees to $175M deal with Cubs &#8211; Yahoo<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">The Cubs are making some big moves.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbssports.com\/nfl\/news\/bears-vs-packers-live-updates-score-highlights-nfl-wild-card-weekend\/live\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Bears rally past Packers &#8211; CBS Sports<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">A major collapse for the Packers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/rams-hold-off-panthers-comeback-bid-in-dramatic-opener-nfl-postseason\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Rams hold off Panthers\u2019 comeback bid &#8211; SI<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">An exciting day of NFL playoffs yesterday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/mens-college-basketball\/story\/_\/id\/47573030\/no-2-michigan-upset-wisconsin-first-loss-season\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Wisconsin hands Michigan first loss &#8211; ESPN<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Wisconsin entered as a 19-point underdog.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/sports\/nfl\/amazon-wants-change-viewers-watch-nfl-rcna252479\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Amazon wants to change how people watch the NFL &#8211; NBC<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">This is an interesting read for today.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Yesterday was a big day for both the Kentucky men\u2019s basketball and football programs. On the basketball court,&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":529496,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3723],"tags":[7,217,38124,22486,73189,244,8582,231,772,1544],"class_list":{"0":"post-529495","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-ncaa-basketball","8":"tag-basketball","9":"tag-college-basketball","10":"tag-kentucky-wildcats-basketball-news","11":"tag-kentucky-wildcats-football","12":"tag-kentucky-wildcats-football-recruiting","13":"tag-kentucky-wildcats-basketball","14":"tag-kentucky-wildcats-news","15":"tag-ncaa","16":"tag-ncaa-basketball","17":"tag-ncaab"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nba\/115876665994910184","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/529495","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=529495"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/529495\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/529496"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=529495"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=529495"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=529495"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}