LIVE BLOG: Kentucky vs. Tennessee Tech

After the worst start imaginable, the Wildcats finally figured out how to play basketball in the final seven minutes, going on a 20-3 run while scoring eight of their last 10 field goals down the stretch. The Golden Eagles, meanwhile, missed 10 of their last 11 and are now shooting 34.3 percent from the field and 12.5 percent from three.

Kentucky is now up to 50.0 percent overall and 23.1 percent from deep after the abysmal start.

Trent Noah (!!!!) leads all scorers with 10 points and five rebounds on a perfect 3-3 shooting, followed by Collin Chandler with nine points, Malachi Moreno with six points and eight rebounds, Denzel Aberdeen, Otega Oweh and Brandon Garrison with four points and Jasper Johnson, Andrija Jelavic and Kam Williams with two.

Kentucky has made seven of its last eight field goals and is currently on an 18-1 run to take a 41-26 lead with 1:28 to go in the first half. They’re playing like a totally different team from the one that couldn’t get out of its own way for the first quarter-plus of the game.

And it all started when I went to go get Chick-fil-A.

This may be my last Live Blog, folks. The Wildcats are better without me.

Kentucky is now on a 12-1 run over the last 3:39 with four straight buckets. The ironic part? I was in the Chick-fil-A line during that run. Maybe I just need to go home for the greater good of this program. Maybe I need to stop doing this job at all?

Anyway, Kentucky now leads 35-26.

This night is not going well. The men’s team is stinking up the joint, and now, the women’s team has fallen 74-66 to Maryland in Puerto Rico.

The Terrapins are undefeated and ranked No. 7 nationally, so it’s not totally embarrassing, but it’s certainly not what you want to see entering the Thanksgiving holiday.

Please do not do the same, MBB. We cannot have those hard conversations around the dinner table tomorrow night.

So, this isn’t going as planned.

The team is shooting just 35.0 percent from the field and 12.5 percent from three. The Golden Eagles are knocking down 44.4 percent of their attempts. It’s a one-point game (and TTU was just leading, to drive the point home even further).

What is happening?

The kid won’t stop putting opponents on posters. Coming off the right corner, Collin Chandler went baseline for the filthy slam — his second on-his-head finish of the year.

Take a look at this beauty:

The first 5:40 has not been kind to Kentucky, with the Wildcats off to a rough 4-11 start (36.4%) and 0-4 from three with nobody scoring more than a single bucket.

On the other end, Tennessee Tech is 5-9 (55.6%) to get things rolling while forcing three early turnovers.

Need something to get these guys going.

With 16:35 to go in the first half, Mark Pope has made his first substitution — and it was just one replacement compared to the hockey sub we’re used to seeing. Jasper Johnson replaced Denzel Aberdeen and immediately threw a lob to Otega Oweh.

Maybe that’s the spark they need?

Tennessee Tech is one of the worst teams on the schedule for Kentucky. It has not looked that way to start this one, the Golden Eagles leading 4-2 two minutes in before the Wildcats tied it up at 4-4 with 17:32 to go in the first half. They’re just 2-6 to start, good for 33.3 percent, and 0-2 from three.

Sloppy start for the good guys.

Kentucky Starters

• 00 Otega Oweh
• 1 Denzel Aberdeen
• 3 Kam Williams
• 5 Collin Chandler
• 24 Malachi Moreno

Tennessee Tech Starters

• 1 Mekhi Cameron
• 6 Brandon Muntu
• 8 Ty Owens
• 10 Grant Slatten
• 7 JaJuan Nicholls

Are you ready for Kentucky vs. Tennessee Tech, the return of John Pelphrey to Rupp Arena? KSR’s Walk and Talk is brought to you by our favorite game day spot PARLOUR, where break down the Cats and Golden Eagles ahead of Thanksgiving.

What do you need to see from the blue and white to feel better about back-to-back ranked opponents next week? Is this a trap game? Jack Pilgrim and Adam Stratton share our thoughts ahead of tip-off.

Make PARLOUR your game day destination! From award-winning pizzas like The Dr. or fan favorite Hot Honey Pepperoni to PARLOUR’s famous house-smoked wings and extensive craft beer selection, PARLOUR has a menu that will please the whole family! Their location on Harrodsburg Road is just a short drive from Rupp Arena.

Don’t miss out on their great Happy Hour. Come in Monday thru Friday from 2-6pm to enjoy discounted pints, cocktails, and starters. Plus, Wednesday is Wing Wednesday with 10 of Parlour’s Famous SMOKED WINGS for $10 all day. 

While PARLOUR has just been in Lexington around one year, they’re no stranger to the national Pizza scene having won multiple industry awards including 1^st place in best of the Midwest concepts by Pizza Expo and Best of Lexington 2025. 

Parlour is looking forward to celebrating two new locations during the first half of 2026. Coming soon to Lexington out at Hamburg and Richmond, KY!

Whether you’re sipping a hand-crafted cocktail or sharing one of our signature pizzas, PARLOUR is a place where great food and good times come together naturally.

• Tipoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
• TV: SEC Network (Tom Hart, Dane Bradshaw)
• Local Radio: UK Sports Network (Tom Leach, Goose Givens)
• AM: 840 WHAS, 630 WLAP
• FM: 98.1 WBUL
• Online: iHeart Radio
• Sirius XM: 84

You can also join the conversation on our game thread on KSBoard.

Lock in for the 2025 Kentucky Basketball season with KSR Plus! We’re giving you behind-the-scenes intel you won’t find anywhere else. Join the most vibrant online community in the BBN during Mark Pope’s second season.