It wasn’t the smoothest 40 minutes, but when Kentucky finally locked in after halftime, the Wildcats looked every bit like a team built to make noise this season. After a frustrating first half, Mark Pope’s squad came out with fire and precision, rolling past Nicholls 77–51 to open the 2025–26 campaign inside Rupp Arena.
The game started unevenly. Kentucky shot just 10-of-31 from the field and 2-of-16 from deep in the first half, struggling to create clean looks and finish at the rim. But whatever was said in the locker room clearly worked — the Wildcats exploded for 49 points in the second half, shooting 19-of-31 overall and 6-of-11 from three.
It was a complete turnaround driven by energy, ball movement, and pace. Kentucky finished with 21 assists and out-rebounded the Colonels 51–30, showing the kind of team-oriented play Pope has emphasized since day one.
Leading the way was Collin Chandler, who posted a team-high 15 points while adding four assists, all in the second half. He and Otega Oweh combined for 20 points on 7-of-8 shooting, including 4-of-5 from beyond the arc — a glimpse of the offensive balance this group can bring.
But the night’s MVP honor went to Denzel Aberdeen, whose leadership and composure anchored Kentucky’s comeback. Aberdeen dished out six assists without committing a single turnover, added 10 points and five rebounds, and set the tone for the offense when the Wildcats needed stability most.
You could feel the difference when he was on the floor — possessions were smoother, shots came easier, and spacing improved. It was a reminder that Aberdeen’s playmaking and experience will be critical for Kentucky all season long.
One moment of concern came when Trent Noah exited the game midway through the first half with what appeared to be an ankle injury. He later returned to warm up and looked comfortable during halftime drills, but he did not re-enter the game. His status moving forward will be something to monitor.
Defensively, Kentucky showed its potential as well, suffocating Nicholls for long stretches and forcing tough shots. The Wildcats’ rotations were sharper in the second half, and their rebounding dominance helped fuel transition offense.
As always, fans had plenty to say on social media:
> “This lineup just really struggles to generate offense. Desperately need JQ and Lowe back.” — @DylanBallard_UK
“Elite block by Jasper Johnson.” — @rarerookies
“Without a consistent paint-touch threat, this offense is a tough watch. Denzel and Jaland are incredibly important.” — @WildcatsTongue
Even with Jaland Lowe and Jayden Quaintance sidelined, the Cats found a way to make adjustments and close strong. It wasn’t perfect, but the second-half dominance was a promising sign for a young, reloaded Kentucky squad.
If this was just the warm-up, Rupp Arena could be in for a thrilling season.
