The Kentucky Wildcats are looking to bounce back after an embarrassing performance on Tuesday night against the Louisville Cardinals. The Cats will take on the Eastern Illinois Panthers on Friday night at Rupp Arena. Game time is set for 7:00 PM ET on SEC Network+.
Mark Pope’s squad opened the season with big wins over Nicholls State, 77-51, and Valparaiso, 107-59. However, they came crashing back down to earth after falling to Louisville 96-88 in a game that wasn’t nearly as close as the score.
Collin Chandler and Denzel Aberdeen have been the steadying forces thus far as DA really broke out against the Cardinals with 26 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Those are really the only two that have shown a modicum of consistency. Notably, Otega Oweh has been a shell of himself as he’s averaging around 13 points and four rebounds per game on 43% shooting and more than three turnovers per game.
And you know what they say…when it rains, it pours. This week got even worse as news broke late on Thursday night that Jaland Lowe reinjured his shoulder in practice. Based on initial reports, it sounds as if he suffered the same injury he did during the Blue-White game that sidelined him for three weeks.
As for Eastern Illinois, they sit at an uninspiring 1-2 thus far, which includes a win over Nicholls State but a loss to Valpo. The Panthers were also smoked by the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Despite the state of BBN following Tuesday’s game, Kentucky should take care of business fairly easily on Friday night.
Hopefully, the Cats can bounce back in a big way because this fan base needs it.
