What began as a promising night for Kentucky turned into an unexpectedly challenging game as the Wildcats fended off a resilient Colgate squad to secure a 78-67 victory at Rupp Arena. Kentucky started strong, jumping out to a 17-0 lead before Colgate finally scored nearly seven minutes into the game. However, the Raiders responded with an 11-0 run, staying competitive throughout the contest. At halftime, Kentucky led by just two points, and Colgate briefly took the lead three times in the second half before the Wildcats regained control.
Head coach Mark Pope described the evening as having “weird energy.” In his postgame remarks, he noted the team’s inconsistency, despite ultimately finding a way to win.
“There was all kinds of weirdness,” Pope said. “The 17-0 start was a little weird. I think it made it weirder. And then we got weird, but our guys rang the bell the way they do, and I was really proud of them.”
Kentucky’s shooting struggles continued, particularly from beyond the arc. The Wildcats missed their first eight three-point attempts, with Koby Brea being the only early contributor from downtown. Jaxson Robinson finally broke the drought in the second half, sparking a stretch where Kentucky hit four consecutive threes. They finished 10-31 from long range—the first time hitting double-digit threes since their November 22 game against Jackson State.
Pope admitted that injuries, including Lamont Butler’s absence and Kerr Kriisa’s indefinite sidelining, may have contributed to the team’s struggles, but he emphasized the importance of managing energy and focus.
Pope praised the Rupp Arena crowd for helping energize the team during their second-half surge. With Louisville looming on the schedule, Pope acknowledged the need for the Wildcats to stay locked in, regardless of the opponent. “To be great at what we do, we have to fight human nature,” he said.
