LIVE BLOG: Kentucky vs. Nicholls
The Kentucky Basketball 2025-26 season officially tips off tonight. KSR’s LIVE BLOG will bring you all the sights and sounds from Rupp Arena as the Cats host the Nicholls Colonels in the first game of the BBN United Tipoff Classic, presented by Kentucky Tourism (7 p.m. ET, SEC Network+).
Kentucky’s preseason was a roller coaster, with the Cats beating No. 1 Purdue and then losing to Georgetown. Tonight, they will face a Nicholls squad that is in year three under Tevon Saddler, the youngest active Division I coach in the country. The Colonels finished 20-13 last season, 13-7 in Southland Conference play. Only three players return from last year’s squad: Jaylen Searles (6.5 points per game), Trae English (6.1 ppg), and Sincere Malone (5.6 ppg).
Jaland Lowe and Jayden Quaintance are out tonight, per Jeff Goodman, while Denzel Aberdeen remains a game-time decision. Refresh the feed below for updates and KSR’s takes on the game from Rupp Arena and the couch. You can also join the conversation on the KSBoard Game Thread or by texting your observations to 859-710-3556 (standard messaging rates apply).
Special thanks to our live blog sponsor this season, Friends of Coal.
Friends of Coal is dedicated to informing and educating Kentucky citizens about the coal industry and its vital role in the state’s future. We provide a united voice for an industry that has been and remains a critical economic contributor to Kentucky. By working together, we can provide good jobs and benefits for future generations. Coal is RESILIENT, RELIABLE, and AFFORDABLE.
Friends of Coal is a volunteer organization. All are invited to be a part of our organization, which consists of proud Kentuckians as well as residents from beyond our borders. Head to friendsofcoalkentucky.org to learn more.
FINAL: Kentucky 77, Nicholls 51
11/04/2025 08:00:18 PMAfter a very ugly first half, your University of Kentucky Wildcats got it together in the second, rolling to a 77-51 win over Nicholls. Collin Chandler led all scorers with a career-high 15 points (the final coming off an absolutely insane dunk), 11 in the second half. Otega Oweh had 13 points, 11 in the second half. Jasper Johnson (11 points) and Denzel Aberdeen (10 points) also finished in double figures.
Kentucky shot 61% from the field in the second half compared to 32% in the first. A much better showing after intermission. Let’s hope that momentum carries over to Friday’s game vs. Valparaiso in game two of the BBN United Tip Off Classic, presented by Kentucky Tourism.
MONSTER DUNK BY COLLIN CHANDLER!!!
11/04/2025 07:47:09 PMI was barely done singing Collin Chandler’s praises for his four threes, and then he went and did this. My goodness. He’s up to 15 points, a new career high.
Back-to-back threes by Collin Chandler!
11/04/2025 07:44:26 PMHow much more comfortable is Collin Chandler at his normal spot? The sophomore just hit his fourth three to bring his point total to 13, a career high. He’s also got four assists, two rebounds, two steals, a block, and just one turnover in 22 minutes.
Kentucky 70, Nicholls 40 – 5:25 2H
Kentucky 60, Nicholls 36 – 7:53 2H
11/04/2025 07:38:19 PMThe lead is now 24, the Cats’ latest bucket coming from Kam Williams, an emphatic slam. The Tulane transfer came to Kentucky with a reputation as a sharpshooter, but he can clearly throw it down too.
Malachi Moreno gets in on the fun
11/04/2025 07:35:12 PMDenzel Aberdeen is up to five assists, the latest going to Malachi Moreno for this dunk.
Kentucky 56, Nicholls 30 – 9:49 2H
Kentucky 50, Nicholls 26 – 11:52 2H
11/04/2025 07:29:31 PMWe’ve hit the under-12 media timeout, and the Cats are now rolling. A three by Jasper Johnson capped off a 7-0 Kentucky run. Nicholls hasn’t scored in almost three minutes.
It’s amazing the difference a point guard makes
11/04/2025 07:25:26 PMKentucky looks better in the second half, in large part because Denzel Aberdeen is back in the rotation after two early fouls in the first half. He and Otega Oweh are finding a groove. Oweh’s up to 13 points, 9 in the second half.
Kentucky 47, Nicholls 26 – 12:53 2H
Kentucky 41, Nicholls 21 – 15:43 2H
11/04/2025 07:20:50 PMAt the first media timeout, Kentucky leads by 20, 41-21. The Cats are no longer perfect from the floor this half after a missed three-pointer by Denzel Aberdeen.
Still, we’re feeling better after a very ugly first half.
First CFP rankings are out
11/04/2025 07:18:49 PMThe first College Football Playoff Rankings were just released. It won’t surprise you that Kentucky did not make the Top 12 or Top 25, but several SEC teams did, including Texas A&M at No. 3, Alabama at No. 4, Georgia at No. 5, and Ole Miss at No. 6. The Louisville Cardinals are No. 15.
MUCH better start to 2nd half
11/04/2025 07:17:53 PMKentucky’s offense couldn’t have looked worse in the first half. Thankfully, the Cats are off to a much better start in the second, scoring 13 points in the first three and a half minutes. Kentucky has not missed so far, going 5-5 from the field and 2-2 from the three-point line. That’s more like it.
Kentucky 41, Nicholls 19 – 16:30 2H
Trent Noah was running on the court during halftime
11/04/2025 07:12:51 PMWhat’s the latest on Trent Noah? The sophomore guard was spotted running on the court during halftime to warm up, so hopefully, that rolled ankle isn’t as bad as it looked on TV. No official word on his status yet.
HALFTIME: Kentucky 28, Nicholls 15
11/04/2025 06:54:46 PMKentucky is shooting just 32.3 percent from the field, 12.5 percent from three and 46.2 percent at the line — horrible all around, but fortunately and somehow better than Nicholls. The Colonels are shooting an abysmal 12.0 percent overall and 7.1 percent from deep, allowing the Wildcats to head into the half up by 13.
Jasper Johnson and Denzel Aberdeen have five apiece, followed by Otega Oweh, Collin Chandler and Brandon Garrison with four, Mo Dioubate with three, Andrija Jelavic with two and Malachi Moreno with one. Trent Noah, who went down with a leg injury, and Kam Williams have not scored.
The defense is good, but again, the opponent is not good. And the offense is that much worse across the board. 20 minutes to figure it the hell out.
Thank goodness Nicholls is very not good
11/04/2025 06:45:56 PMThe Colonels are shooting just 9.5 percent from the field overall (2-21) and 7.7 percent from three (1-13). If not for their seven made free throws, they would have essentially zero offensive production here in the first half — plus seven turnovers.
That’s why Kentucky leads 24-12 at the final media timeout here in the first half. It ain’t because the Cats are shooting well, sitting at 31.0 percent overall (9-29), 12.5 percent from three (2-16) and 44.4 percent at the line (4-9).
Pretty abysmal half for the blue and white.
Trent Noah goes down with a leg injury
11/04/2025 06:38:39 PMThings have gone from bad to worse for the Wildcats.
Trent Noah went down with a leg injury and was immediately taken back to the locker room, helped off the floor by the training staff. Right as Kentucky got back Denzel Aberdeen — and awaits the return of Jaland Lowe and Jayden Quaintance — there is another issue to deal with.
It never ends.
THE $10K SHOT GOES IN
11/04/2025 06:34:56 PMHE SHOOTS HE SCORES!
Coming out for the halfcourt shot, a fan missed his first attempt, but nailed his second to bring home $10,000 from Central Bank.
Can we get him a jersey at halftime?
Kentucky is off to a 1-9 start from three
11/04/2025 06:25:24 PMCollin Chandler is 0-3 to start from deep, followed by Kam Williams at 0-2 and Trent Noah, Jasper Johnson and Brandon Garrison all 0-1 in the first quarter of this one. Denzel Aberdeen is the only player with a make (1-1 3PT).
Pretty horrific shooting display across the board. Again. This trend is not good.
Rick Robey and Goose Givens are in the house
11/04/2025 06:19:59 PMThe Kentucky legends were honored at midcourt as Rupp Arena opens its 50th season with the Wildcats.
No better duo to celebrate the occasion.
Welcome back, Denzel Aberdeen!
11/04/2025 06:16:12 PMOut for the Georgetown exhibition game, Denzel Aberdeen is back on the floor for the Wildcats, making his official debut in the blue and white. He came in at the 13:58 mark next to Kam Williams, Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno.
Oh, and he’s quickly on the board! Funny how that works. The senior guard knocked down the first triple of the game to put Kentucky up 8-2.
It’s an ugly start, folks…. (4-2 UK, 14:25)
11/04/2025 06:14:12 PMKentucky is shooting just 22.2 percent from the field overall (2-9) and 0.0 percent from three (0-5) at the first media timeout — still no subs. The Wildcats haven’t scored in 2:34 while Nicholls hasn’t scored in 2:13.
Fortunately, the Colonels are shooting just 14.3 percent overall (1-7) and 0.0 percent from three (0-4) to keep the small lead.
Ugly, ugly, ugly.
Brandon Garrison earns the first bucket of the season
11/04/2025 06:07:51 PMAfter four misses to get rolling, who is the first Wildcat on the board in 2025-26? It’s Brandon Garrison time, baby! He threw down a lob from Mo Dioubate in transition to put Kentucky up 2-0.
Now we’re talking.
Still knocking the rust off…
11/04/2025 06:05:38 PMJust under two minutes in with four total shots up, Kentucky remains scoreless to get the season opener underway. The Cats are 0-3 from three, including a pair of misses from Collin Chandler.
The defense is holding up, but things don’t look too different from Georgetown quite yet, unfortunately.
THE BALL IS TIPPED ON 2025-26
11/04/2025 06:02:46 PMIt’s time, folks. Kentucky has tipped off year two of the Mark Pope era in Lexington.
Time to beat the Colonels.
Starting lineups
11/04/2025 05:40:34 PMWithout Lowe out and Aberdeen likely playing limited minutes. Kentucky will go with the same starting lineup from the Georgetown game. Let’s hope for a different result.
Kentucky starting lineup
- 00 Otega Oweh
- 5 Collin Chandler
- 9 Trent Noah
- 10 Brandon Garrison
- 23 Mo Dioubate
Nicholls starting lineup
- 1 Trae English
- 21 Nick Krass
- 22 Jalik Dunkley
- 3 Jaylen Searles
- 5 Sincere Malone
Pope on Lowe, Aberdeen’s statuses
11/04/2025 05:33:27 PMIn his pregame conversation with Tom Leach, Mark Pope confirmed that Jaland Lowe (shoulder) will not play tonight and that Aberdeen (leg) was a game-time decision. Collin Chandler will start at point guard, with Jasper Johnson getting some minutes at point guard as well.
“We’re trying to get our know ourselves, because there have been health setbacks along the way that have changed the dynamic of the group a little bit. So, we’re still in that process. Like, I don’t think we’ve had our starting five on the floor, on the practice floor or game floor once yet. We’re still trying to figure some stuff out.”
Collin Chandler will reportedly start
11/04/2025 05:01:44 PMEarlier today, Jeff Goodman broke the news that Jaland Lowe will miss tonight’s game vs. Nicholls and that Denzel Aberdeen is a game-time decision. Even if Aberdeen does play — Jack Pilgrim is hearing there’s a very good chance as long as warm-ups go well — he will not start. According to Cameron Miller, Collin Chandler will start at point guard tonight for the Cats, as he did vs. Georgetown on Thursday.
Aberdeen is in uniform and warming up, a good sign he’ll get at least some minutes tonight.
KSR is en route to Rupp Arena
11/04/2025 05:00:07 PMWe’re one hour from tipoff. Join Jack Pilgrim, Zack Geoghegan, and Steven Peake on their walk to Rupp Arena.
How to Watch, Listen
11/04/2025 10:48:26 AMBoth games this week (Nicholls, Valparaiso) are on SEC Network+, aka “on the computer.” If you’re a YouTubeTV subscriber, it could be especially difficult to follow along, as Google’s dispute with Disney drags on. If you don’t want to subscribe to ESPN Unlimited, there are some options. You can get a five-day trial to FuboTV or DirecTV Stream, or a day pass from Sling that includes access to SEC Network+. Or, you can hope someone streams it for free on YouTube.
- Tipoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
- TV: SEC Network+ (Noah Fray, Ravi Moss)
- Local Radio: UK Sports Network (Tom Leach, Goose Givens)
- AM: 840 WHAS, 630 WLAP
- FM: 98.1 WBUL
- Online: iHeart Radio
- Sirius XM: TBA
- Live Stats: StatBroadcast
If you’re not sure how to access SEC Network+, Steven Peake is here to help you out.
Discuss This Article
Comments have moved.
Join the conversation and talk about this article and all things Kentucky Sports in the new KSR Message Board.
KSBoard