UK Fans of the Day Want Kentucky vs. Texas Pregame Notes

Good afternoon, friends. We’ve still got a few hours to go until tipoff of Kentucky vs. Texas, which means plenty of work ahead for the basketball crew, but I wanted to check in now just so I’ll stop refreshing the weather forecast. This weekend’s winter storm is all anyone is talking about right now, especially here in Nashville. What looked like a historic snowstorm is now trending towards a wintry mix/snow/ice mess, which is not nearly as fun. In fact, dealing with ice is the opposite of fun. There is still time for the models to change. I’ll be refreshing with fingers crossed.

Thankfully, another distraction is coming soon in the form of basketball. Let’s talk about it and some other topics before a new wave of weather models comes out.

I’m a little worried about tonight

I really hope tonight is the start of the Cats putting together 40 minutes of effort. While the second-half comebacks are fun, it feels like they can only last so long. Texas’ wins over Alabama and Vanderbilt show the Longhorns are legit. They’re one of the best offensive teams in the country, the best at getting to the free-throw line and one of the best on the offensive glass; however, like Kentucky, they’re inconsistent, with losses to Mississippi State, Tennessee (by 14 points), and Texas A&M.

Both teams need this game, Texas to get off the bubble and prove its top-15 wins are valid, and Kentucky to prove it can take care of business at home. It will be Sean Miller’s first time coaching at Rupp. As heartening as the last three games have been, especially the last two, that nagging sense of worry is still in the back of my head with this group. Even if they win, it won’t go away if there’s another double-digit halftime deficit.

One of Joe Lunardi’s games of the night

Joe Lunardi also believes this game is big, listing it as one of four that could affect the NCAA Tournament bracket. Texas is currently his last team in the field of 68; Kentucky is up to a No. 7 seed, the No. 28 overall team. If the Longhorns lose tonight, he will drop them out. Still a lot of basketball to play, of course.

pic.twitter.com/ICRjq3Jlvr

— Joe Lunardi (@ESPNLunardi) January 21, 2026

Ideal rotations

Kentucky will probably go with the same starting lineup from the last few games tonight: Denzel Aberdeen, Otega Oweh, Kam Williams, Andrija Jelavic, and Malachi Moreno. Analytics guru Evan Miyakawa believes that’s a mistake. Today, Evan Miya shared what he believes is Kentucky’s ideal rotation: a primary six of Denzel Aberdeen, Otega Oweh, Mo Dioubate, Malachi Moreno, and either Collin Chandler or Kam Williams; followed by Jasper Johnson, Brandon Garrison, and Jayden Quaintance.

Obviously, Quaintance’s status is up in the air as he misses his fourth straight game with swelling in his knee; regardless, EvanMiya isn’t buying the shift to Jelavic.

In my opinion, Kentucky playing 10+ guys regularly isn't sustainable in the postseason. Here is my recommendation for how to trim Kentucky's rotation going forward.

Kentucky fans, do you agree? pic.twitter.com/3jSrSMONiW

— Evan Miyakawa (@EvanMiya) January 21, 2026

Last night’s Arkansas vs. Vandy game was worrisome

Last night, we got a look at Kentucky’s opponents next week, Vanderbilt and Arkansas. The Razorbacks pummeled the Commodores in Fayetteville 93-68, Vanderbilt’s third straight loss. In theory, that should make me feel better about next Tuesday’s game at Memorial Gym, but after so many losses, I have a feeling the ‘Dores will rally with the Cats in the house — especially if snow and/or ice prevent the BBN from making the trip south. Vanderbilt has a chance to get its feet back under it at Mississippi State on Saturday.

And then, of course, there’s Arkansas. The Razorbacks have also been inconsistent during SEC play, losing on the road and winning at home, but they looked really good last night. Darius Acuff Jr. is the best freshman in the SEC, and having DJ Wagner and Billy Richmond come off the bench seems to have lit a fire under John Calipari’s starters. While this Kentucky team has shown it’s capable of winning on the road, I’m worried about next Saturday in Fayetteville. And next Tuesday in Nashville. Both venues will be rocking. Even more reason why Kentucky needs to win the games it’s supposed to this week at home, starting tonight.

These notes came off way more pessimistic than I’d planned. I blame the cold rain outside and the impending ice. Instead of refreshing weather models, I’m going to watch the end of The Journey again, in which Mark Pope talked about his team finally coming together after getting doused in water in the Tennessee visitors’ locker room.