No. 16 Kentucky is geared up for their upcoming game against Marshall on Friday night at Rupp Arena. The Wildcats are coming off a hard-fought victory against Saint Joseph’s, where they needed overtime to secure the win. Tre Mitchell and D.J. Wagner were the heroes of the game, each scoring 22 points. Mitchell’s crucial three-point shots in overtime were instrumental in the team’s success. Antonio Reeves also had an impressive performance, contributing 20 points, while Rob Dillingham and Justin Edwards added 13 and 12 points respectively.
With a record of 4-1 this season, the only setback for Kentucky so far was a close loss to top-ranked Kansas in Chicago. One notable aspect of their game this season has been their proficiency in three-point shooting. In their last three games, the Wildcats have made double-digit threes. According to forward Justin Edwards, head coach John Calipari encourages the team to shoot open shots. Edwards stated, “He’s on us about shooting open shots and making them… He says if you’re open, shoot it or I’ll take you out.”
Despite missing their three seven-footers – Aaron Bradshaw, Zvonimir Ivisic, and Ugonna Onyenso – rebounding remains a key focus for the Cats. They understand the importance of rebounding as a collective effort, especially in the absence of their towering players. Edwards emphasized the significance of rebounding, stating, “When we rebound at a high clip, it’s harder for teams to guard us… I feel like that’s something we have to get better at.”
On the other side of the court, Marshall enters the game with a 2-3 record. They recently participated in the Cayman Island Classic, where they lost two out of three games. Kevon Voyles has been the leading scorer for the Herd, averaging 15.8 points per game. Nate Martin has also been a valuable asset, averaging 13.0 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.
The much-anticipated game is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcasted on the SEC Network. Kentucky aims to continue their winning momentum while Marshall seeks to bounce back after their recent losses. It will be an exciting match for both teams and their fans.
