Still, three of Kentucky’s last five opponents scored at least 90 points. In the SEC Tournament, Alabama came within one point of the century mark. Six of UK’s last seven opponents averaged at least 1.0 points per possession. Alabama averaged 1.2 in Tuscaloosa. Auburn averaged 1.275 at Rupp.

For just the second time since 2019, the Kentucky men’s basketball team has won a game in the NCAA Tournament. The No. 3 seed Wildcats eased into the second round of the national postseason on Friday night, defeating No. 14 seed Troy 76-57 in Milwaukee. The result gave Mark Pope his first NCAA Tournament win as a college head coach.