Kentucky’s 76-65 exhibition victory over No. 19 Texas Tech gave Mark Pope more than another encouraging result. The Wildcats showed signs of improvement in key areas, and one player’s growing commitment to defense may have been the most important development of the night.
No. 23 Kentucky faced early struggles, committing turnovers and missing open opportunities from beyond the arc. However, the Wildcats settled down, responded when Texas Tech erased their lead, and finished strongly to secure the victory.
For Pope, the biggest takeaway wasn’t simply defeating a ranked opponent. It was seeing his players make progress in areas that could determine how successful Kentucky becomes this season.
Alex Wilkins Delivers the Breakthrough Pope Wanted
Wilkins finished with 13 points, seven assists and three steals, including crucial three-pointers late in the game. But his defensive improvement was what truly caught Pope’s attention.
Earlier in the week, Wilkins struggled during a defensive drill at practice. Pope described his initial performance as a “train wreck.” Instead of giving up, the guard repeatedly asked for another opportunity to improve.
That persistence eventually paid off against Texas Tech.
Pope explained that Wilkins had developed a genuine passion for defense, making his progress especially encouraging. The coach believes the offensive production will come, but seeing the guard embrace defensive responsibilities was a significant step forward.
For a Kentucky team still developing its identity, that commitment could prove valuable throughout the season.
Moreno and Williams Give Kentucky More Options
Malachi Moreno also delivered an impressive performance, recording 15 points, six rebounds and three assists while shooting 6-for-9 from the field.
His physical presence around the basket helped Kentucky generate offense when its perimeter shooting struggled. The Wildcats made only one of their first 11 three-point attempts, making Moreno’s interior scoring particularly important.
Freshman Mason Williams continued making his case for a bigger role, finishing with 14 points in 27 minutes off the bench. He shot 5-for-8 and committed no turnovers.
Across Kentucky’s first two exhibitions, Williams has recorded just one turnover in 48 minutes. His ability to contribute without dominating possessions gives Pope another promising option in the backcourt.
Kentucky Still Has Work to Do
The Wildcats’ victory wasn’t perfect. They committed seven turnovers during the opening 11 minutes before becoming more composed, recording only four over the remaining 29 minutes.
Rebounding also remains a concern. Texas Tech collected 16 offensive rebounds and scored 15 second-chance points, exposing an area Kentucky must improve.
Nevertheless, Kentucky responded when the Red Raiders tied the game at 52 with 8:34 remaining, outscoring them 24-13 down the stretch.
Milan Momcilovic and Moreno led Kentucky with 15 points apiece, while Wilkins and Williams provided additional scoring.
Texas Tech played without All-American JT Toppin, an important factor to consider when evaluating the result.
Still, Pope saw encouraging signs of progress.
Kentucky remains a work in progress, but improved defensive commitment, balanced scoring and better composure offer reasons for optimism. If the Wildcats continue addressing their weaknesses, this exhibition victory could become an important step toward reaching their potential.
