Kentucky vs. Georgetown College: Preview, How to Watch

The countdown to the 2023-24 Kentucky Basketball season continues tonight at Rupp Arena. We got glimpses of the Cats in the GLOBL Jam, Pro Day, Big Blue Madness, and the Blue-White Game; in 30 minutes, we finally get to see them take the court against another team, the Georgetown College Tigers from the NAIA. It’s the first of two exhibitions, the second taking place next Thursday night vs. Kentucky State.

What do you need to know about tonight’s game? KSR has you covered, but first, a shoutout to our partners at FanDuel Sportsbook.

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How To Watch

7 p.m. ET | October 27 | Rupp Arena

TV: SEC Network (Mike Morgan, Jimmy Dykes)
Streaming: WatchESPN
Home Radio: UK Sports Network – 630 WLAP, iHeart Radio (Tom Leach, Goose Givens)
Live Stats: StatBroadcast

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Kentucky Projected Starters

(Starting lineup based on GLOBL Jam)

#21 – DJ Wagner
6-4 • 192 • GUARD • FRESHMAN
GLOBL Jam Stats: 14.0 PPG, 4.75 APG, 3.0 RPG

#12 – Antonio Reeves
6-6 • 195 • GUARD • SENIOR
GLOBL Jam Stats: 23.0 PPG, 2.75 RPG, 1.25 APG

#1 – Justin Edwards
6-8 • 203 • FORWARD • FRESHMAN
GLOBL Jam Stats: 14.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.25 APG

#3 – Adou Thiero
6-8 • 222 • GUARD • SOPHOMORE
GLOBL Jam Stats: 7.5 PPG, 5.75 RPG, 2.0 APG

#4 – Tre Mitchell
6-9 • 231 • FORWARD • GRADUATE STUDENT
GLOBL Jam Stats: 14.5 PPG, 7.75 RPG, 4.5 APG

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Georgetown Projected Starters

#3 – Jaquay Wales
5-11 • 165 • POINT GUARD • SENIOR
2022-23 Stats: 7.0 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 3.8 APG

#2 – Isaiah Mason
6-4 • 175 • GUARD • JUNIOR
2022-23 Stats (at Northern Kentucky): 0.4 PPG, 0.6 RPG, 0.0 APG

#11 – Tae Dozier
6-5 • 170 • GUARD • SOPHOMORE
2022-23 Stats: 10.3 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 2.8 APG

#0 – Cam Brooks-Harris
6-7 • 190 • FORWARD • SENIOR
2022-23 Stats: 12.0 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.8 APG

#21 – Kyran Jones
6-5 • 220 • FORWARD • SENIOR
2022-23 Stats: 10.2 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 1.2 APG

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Join The Discussion (R.I.P. KSR Live Blog)

For the first time in over a decade, KSR will be without its in-game live blogs, a longtime tradition here on the blog. Unfortunately, the company that hosted the KSR live blogs no longer exists, so we are without the machine that made it all possible.

If you still want to interact with the KSR crew tonight, consider joining the conversation on KSBoard. We’re running a special this weekend for the Tennessee game, so now’s the perfect time to try KSR+ out. New members can try 1 month for $1 or 50% off their first year.

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Kentucky vs. Georgetown Series History

This will be the 51st meeting between Kentucky and Georgetown College, with the Cats holding a 35-15 edge. Kentucky is 3-0 vs. the Tigers in exhibitions, 2-0 in the John Calipari Era. A win tonight would extend Kentucky’s winning streak in exhibitions to 60 and the overall record to 151-12, 48-1 under Calipari.

Chris Briggs is in his 13th season as Georgetown’s head coach. The former Kentucky graduate assistant under Tubby Smith led the Tigers to two of their three NAIA national championships in 2013 and 2019.

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Kentucky vs. Georgetown Storylines

No Big Z

It was another confusing week regarding Zvonimir Ivisic. First, John Calipari said he would play in the Blue-White Game, then held him out because he’s not in game shape yet. At Media Day, Calipari said Big Z would likely miss tonight’s game but play in the second exhibition next week as his ramp-up process continues. Then, yesterday, we found out that the decision isn’t really Calipari’s to make at all, that it’s still in the hands of the NCAA. Alas, the wait continues.

Figuring out the frontcourt rotation

Without Big Z, Aaron Bradshaw, and Ugonna Onyenso, Kentucky’s tallest available player is Tre Mitchell at 6’9″. That shouldn’t hurt them tonight, as no one in Georgetown College’s rotation is taller than 6’7″. This will be a good opportunity for Kentucky to tinker with its frontcourt rotation. Mitchell will get plenty of run at the five, with Adou Thiero and Jordan Burks providing help at the four. Thiero looked great in the Blue-White Game, scoring 26 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Hopefully, he gets some extended run tonight.

Not your average exhibition opponent

Kentucky should win this basketball game easily; that said, Georgetown is no pushover. The Tigers finished 30-6 last season, losing in the Fab Four, just one step shy of the national championship game. They return eight of their ten primary players from that squad and are ranked No. 5 in the NAIA preseason poll.

Twelve of Georgetown’s 16 players are from the state of Kentucky, so they’ll be amped to play in Rupp Arena. Per Brandon Ramsey’s very in-depth scouting report, Cam Brooks-Harris, Isaiah Mason, and/or Kyran Jones are the most likely candidates to have a “Rupp moment.” Again, Kentucky’s got the size and talent advantage, but the Tigers will try to make this a competitive game for as long as possible.

⁦@GtownTigersMBB⁩ is an NAIA powerhouse. Loved getting to know them today. Thx for letting me share with you. 7EST tomorrow nite vs ⁦@KentuckyMBB⁩ on ⁦@SECNetwork⁩ pic.twitter.com/aQwy0IbTXC

— Jimmy Dykes (@CoachJimmyDykes) October 26, 2023

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Rapid Reaction on the KSR YouTube Channel

Can’t watch live? KSR’s got you covered. Drew Franklin and Zack Geoghegan are at Rupp Arena and will share their Rapid Reactions on the KSR YouTube Channel. We’ll also have wall-to-wall postgame coverage on the website, including highlights, comments from John Calipari and the players, stats, and takeaways.

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