Kentucky vs. Eastern Illinois: Preview, Odds & How to Watch

After two heavyweight clashes to open the BBN United Tipoff Classic Presented by Kentucky Tourism, it all ends with a third tonight at Rupp Arena — the title matchup between the Kentucky Wildcats and Eastern Illinois Panthers.

Can Mark Pope‘s group move past an ugly loss at Louisville earlier in the week and get back in the win column to cut down the nets on Friday? KSR has everything you need to know about the matchup.

Kentucky vs. Eastern Illinois: How to Watch, Listen

• Tipoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
• TV: SEC Network+ (Andrew Kappes, 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: 210 or 190

You can also follow along on the KSR LIVE BLOG, which will start a few hours before tipoff, and join the conversation 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.

Season Rewind

Kentucky: KenPom 6

• 11/4: 77-51 W vs. Nicholls
• 11/7: 107-59 W vs. Valparaiso
• 11/11: 96-88 L at No. 12 Louisville

Eastern Illinois: KenPom 313

• 11/4: 66-63 L vs. Valparaiso
• 11/7: 65-57 W vs. Nicholls
• 11/11: 78-58 L at Notre Dame

Series History

This is the first-ever meeting between the Kentucky Wildcats and Eastern Illinois Panthers, joining Nicholls among first-time opponents to start the year. Mark Pope never faced EIU at either of his prior coaching stops while fifth-year coach Marty Simmons — now in his 17th season overall as a head coach — has never faced UK, either.

Kentucky vs. Eastern Illinois Odds

Kentucky has opened as a 38.5-point favorite, according to our friends at BetMGM, with the over/under set at 150.5 points. That’s a projected final score of 94.5-56.

KenPom is predicting a final score of 90-58 with a 99.8 percent chance to win while Bart Torvik is calling for an 89-59 victory for the good guys with a 98 percent hit rate. It’s similar optimism with ESPN’s Matchup Predictor, which gives UK a 99.0 percent chance to get back in the win column.

Kentucky Potential Starters

#1 – Denzel Aberdeen
6-5 – 195 – GUARD – SENIOR
16.0 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3.7 APG

#5 – Collin Chandler
6-5 – 205 – GUARD – SOPHOMORE
13.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.3 APG

#00 – Otega Oweh
6-4 – 215 – GUARD – SENIOR
13.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.7 APG

#23 – Mouhamed Dioubate
6-7 – 220 – FORWARD – JUNIOR
9.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.7 APG

#10 – Brandon Garrison
6-10 – 245 – FORWARD – JUNIOR
7.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.0 APG

Eastern Illinois Potential Starters

#3 – Meechie White
6-1 – 175 – GUARD – JUNIOR
5.3 PPG, 0.3 APG, 1.7 RPG

#5 – Zion Fruster
6-2 – 170 – GUARD – SENIOR
16.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 3.0 APG

#10 – Preston Turner
6-6 – 185 – GUARD – REDSHIRT JUNIOR
10.7 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 0.7 APG

#7 – Prince Johnson
6-8 – 215 – FORWARD – JUNIOR
2.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG

#40 – Kooper Jacobi
6-7 – 200 – FORWARD – GRADUATE STUDENT
11.7 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 2.0 APG

Statistical Comparison

(via Kentucky’s game notes)

Fun stats from UK’s game notes:

• Collin Chandler is currently averaging 13.7 points per game and is the first player in program history to make four 3s in each of the team’s first three games. He’s shooting 57.1 percent from three on the year and 54.3 percent (25-36) over his last 13 games dating back to last year with made threes in 10 straight games.
• Denzel Aberdeen is averaging a team-best 5.5-1 assist-to-turnover ratio and is averaging career-bests in points (16.0), rebounds (5.3), field-goal percentage (.531), 3-point field goal percentage (.375), free throw percentage (.889) and assists per game (3.7).
• Kentucky has outrebounded its opponent in all three games this season and is averaging a +13 rebounding margin, pulling in 84.5 percent of opponent misses

Pregame Storylines

POPE PREPARES FOR “REALLY GOOD TEAM” IN EIU

What do you need to know about the Panthers? They’re just 1-2 on the season and ranked No. 313 in KenPom, but Pope is expecting a test.

“Really good team,” Pope said of EIU. “They beat Nicholls, they challenged Notre Dame, gave Notre Dame a good challenge. They’re really an incredibly disciplined team. They run their actions, they screen and cut and move, and it makes sense. They can shoot the ball, they have some really aggressive scorers. They have some length and physicality. They’re a really good team and it’s gonna be a great challenge for us Friday. It’ll be a great challenge.”

GET WELL SOON, JALAND LOWE

KSR broke the news that Lowe reinjured his right shoulder and his long-term availability is very much up in the air with season-ending surgery unfortunately on the table. Kentucky, Lowe and his camp are weighing the options, including potential paths to a return if they push to avoid surgery. No matter what, fans should not expect to see the Pittsburgh transfer on the floor against the Panthers on Friday, opening the door for Denzel Aberdeen to get the start at point guard. Can he pick up where he left off against the Cardinals, scoring a career-high 26 points in the rivalry loss? The Wildcats may need him now more than ever imagined moving forward.

OTEGA OWEH NEEDS TO PLAY LIKE THE SEC PLAYER OF THE YEAR

The counting stats have been okay for Oweh, averaging 13.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 steals in 24.0 minutes per contest, but it’s clear the SEC Preseason Player of the Year has not approached the game with the same level of intensity and focus he brought to the table last year, let alone a potential jump in his final year of eligibility. He’s been bad defensively with poor shot selection and mind-boggling turnovers — just not good enough for what this program needs, especially if Lowe is forced to miss any extended period of time (if not the season). The competition tonight presents a feel-good opportunity for the senior guard, time to see if he can take advantage of it.

WELCOME HOME, MEECHIE WHITE!

Meechie White, a native of Louisville and a Male High School graduate, is averaging 5.3 points in 18 minutes per outing as a junior. He’s starting for the Panthers and you’ll be seeing a lot of him tonight, but did you know he’s actually a lifelong member of Big Blue Nation? The junior guard grew up dreaming of suiting up for the Wildcats as a kid and regularly attending games at Rupp. He’s even taken selfies with the KSR crew at KSBar & Grille as a loyal listener, if that tells you anything about his fandom.

Now, he’ll be competing against the Cats at Rupp — certainly an awesome full-circle moment to keep an eye on.

IS THIS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TINKER LINEUPS?

With Lowe likely out and the rotations a disaster against Louisville — so many options to work with, but so few clear answers — is now the time to throw everything but the kitchen sink out there to see what sticks? I’m talking extended Jasper Johnson run at point guard, Andrija Jelavic playing next to Kam Williams in the frontcourt for long stretches, a green light for Trent Noah to get his confidence up — just go down the list. Maybe it all sticks and it turns into a big-time blowout? Maybe it doesn’t and we’ve learned a thing or two more than we would have rolling the same groups out there we’ve seen since exhibition play?

Join The Discussion on KSBoard

Want to interact with the KSR crew during the game? Consider joining the conversation on KSBoard, where we’ll be sharing live updates as your eyes and ears inside Rupp Arena while also answering questions and providing real-time analysis (and probably complaining about the officiating).

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Rapid Reaction on the KSR YouTube Channel

Miss the game? KSR’s got you covered with a Rapid Reaction live from Rupp Arena on the KSR YouTube Channel. We’ll also have wall-to-wall postgame coverage on the website, including highlights, comments from Mark Pope and the players, stats, and takeaways.

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