LIVE BLOG: No. 17 Kentucky at Oklahoma
Kentucky lost a road game to an NCAA Tournament bubble team a few weeks ago at Texas. Tonight, they’ll look to avoid repeating that mistake against another former Big 12 squad, Oklahoma. KSR’s LIVE BLOG will bring you all the sights and sounds from Lloyd Noble Center in Norman as the No. 17 Wildcats take on the Sooners (9 p.m. ET, SEC Network).
Kentucky is coming off the loss to Alabama on Saturday. Oklahoma picked up its fourth SEC win on the same day, upsetting Mississippi State at home. The Sooners are among the last four teams in Joe Lunardi’s latest Bracketology. A win over Kentucky would certainly help their resume. This is a homecoming game for Otega Oweh, who spent his first two seasons at Oklahoma. Koby Brea will also see a familiar face, going up against his former Dayton teammate Kobe Elvis, now with the Sooners. Neither Lamont Butler nor Jaxson Robinson were listed on the final SEC Availability Report, meaning they are available tonight, albeit in a limited capacity.
Refresh the feed below for updates and our takes on the game, from both Norman and the couch. You can also join the conversation on the KSBoard Game Thread or by texting your observations to 859-587-3828 (standard messaging rates apply).
A fan threw a beer can at the team as they left the court
02/26/2025 10:32:45 PMThe last few minutes of Kentucky vs. Oklahoma were WILD, but the Cats got the last laugh with Otega Oweh’s game-winner. That didn’t stop Sooner fans from booing the team as they left the court, with one person even throwing a beer can, which almost hit Brandon Garrison in the head. Stay classy, Sooners.
Final Box Score
02/26/2025 10:28:57 PMOtega Oweh willed Kentucky to victory in a must-win game. While we catch our breath, here is the final box score. Oweh scored 21 of Kentucky’s final 23 points. Mercy.
OTEGA OWEH FOR THE WIN!!!!!!!!!!
02/26/2025 10:24:10 PMOtega Oweh just hit the game-winning shot with six seconds left to give Kentucky the 83-82 win! WOW!!!!
Score Update: 45.2 2H – Kentucky 81, Oklahoma 80
02/26/2025 10:20:55 PMOweh again! How about this play Mark Pope drew up out of the timeout? Oweh is up to 26 points.
Score Update: 59.6 2H – Oklahoma 80, Kentucky 79
02/26/2025 10:17:54 PMIt’s Oklahoma vs. Otega Oweh right now. Oweh scored again to put Kentucky up 79-77, but Glenn Taylor Jr. responded with a three to take the lead back. The Sooners have 10 threes tonight, 7 in the second half.
Score Update: 2:48 2H – Kentucky 77, Oklahoma 75
02/26/2025 10:15:52 PMOtega Oweh is keeping Kentucky in this game. He just hit a pair of free throws to put the Cats up by two, 77-75 with 2:48 to go.
Otega Oweh ties it up again!
02/26/2025 10:09:13 PMThank goodness for Otega Oweh. He just tied the game at 75 and drew a foul. He could give the Cats the lead after this timeout.
3:36 2H – Kentucky 75, Oklahoma 75
Lamont Butler fouls out
02/26/2025 10:07:01 PMAnother tough break for Kentucky: Lamont Butler just picked up his fifth foul with 4:16 to go. He joins Lamont Butler, who has his wrist on ice, on the bench. Oklahoma leads by two, 75-73. Mark Pope is so frustrated he just cussed on television.
Gut check time.
TOUGH BUCKET OTEGA OWEH
02/26/2025 10:05:02 PMOweh just made his fourth straight basket, driving the lane and through contact to score and draw a foul. Unfortunately, he missed the free throw, but that’s one tough man.
Otega Oweh ties it up
02/26/2025 10:02:13 PMOweh is putting the Cats on his shoulders in Norman, scoring Kentucky’s last six points. His last bucket tied the game at 71 with 6:39 remaining, prompting Oklahoma to call a timeout.
Score Update: 7:47 2H – Oklahoma 71, Kentucky 69
02/26/2025 09:57:49 PMOklahoma is up to nine straight made field goals. At the under-eight timeout, the Sooners lead the Cats by two, 71-69. Brycen Goodine’s latest three-pointer is Oklahoma’s ninth total, sixth in the second half. Otega Oweh has made back-to-back tough buckets to keep the Cats within striking distance.
Score Update: 9:32 2H – Oklahoma 68, Kentucky 63
02/26/2025 09:54:17 PMI would like to be sharing good news, but that’s not the case. Oklahoma is on an 8-0 run and now leads by five, 68-63, with 9:32 to go. Mark Pope just called a timeout. Not much is going well for the Cats, who are struggling on defense and turning the ball over too often.
In other frustrating news, this was a very confusing series:
Otega Oweh returns to double digits with a three!
02/26/2025 09:48:15 PMOtega Oweh’s 26-game streak of scoring in double figures ended at Alabama. He just started a new one, hitting a three to put Kentucky up 63-60 with 11:23 to go. He now has ten points.
Score Update: 11:54 2H – Kentucky 60, Oklahoma 60
02/26/2025 09:44:32 PMThe score is tied at 60 and officials are headed to the monitor during the timeout to review a foul on Mohamed Wague. After the last timeout, Amari Williams had an emphatic slam to push Kentucky’s lead to three but Kobe Elvis responded with a three. Oklahoma has eight threes so far to Kentucky’s six.
Text Machine is tired of turnovers
02/26/2025 09:42:35 PMText your observations to 859-587-3828 (standard messaging rates apply).
Oklahoma cuts Kentucky’s lead to 1
02/26/2025 09:39:23 PMA three by Brycen Goodine cut Kentucky’s lead to one and prompted Mark Pope to call a timeout. The Sooners have hit their last four field goals and the Cats haven’t scored a field goal of their own in the last 2:40. Gotta get a bucket and soon.
13:19 2H – Kentucky 58, Oklahoma 57
Jaxson Robinson questionable to return
02/26/2025 09:33:47 PMJaxson Robinson has not played this half, with Koby Brea starting the second half in his place. According to a UK spokesperson, he is questionable to return. He’s sitting on the bench with his warmup jacket on and his wrist wrapped up on ice, so I doubt we’ll see him again tonight.
Score Update: 15:30 2H – Kentucky 54, Oklahoma 47
02/26/2025 09:30:47 PMHave a night, Brandon Garrison! The big man from OKC did it all on this possession, getting a block, talking some trash, and getting an and-one on the other end. He hit a layup since then to put Kentucky up seven at the Under-16 media timeout. Garrison has a team-high 12 points, 3 steals, 2 rebounds, and 2 blocks in 17 minutes.
Andrew Carr corner three pushes Kentucky’s lead back to four
02/26/2025 09:26:41 PMThere was some mild concern about Andrew Carr’s back during halftime, as Carr was spotted with the brace on while riding the stationary bike at the end of the first half and stretching it out when he came back out for warmups, but he seems just fine. Carr just hit a corner three to put Kentucky back up by four with 19:06 to go.
Amari Williams picks up his 3rd foul (again)
02/26/2025 09:24:40 PMThat didn’t take long. Amari Williams just picked up his third foul less than 30 seconds into the game. Seconds later, Brycen Goodine hit a three to pull Oklahoma within one, 45-44. Brandon Garrison is checking in for Williams.
HALF: Kentucky 43, Oklahoma 41
02/26/2025 09:06:00 PMTwo free throws by Koby Brea put Kentucky up four with six seconds left, but Jeremiah Fears cut the lead to two with a bucket at the buzzer. Fears and Jalon Moore both have a game-high 12 points, the only players in double figures.
This has been a very strange game so far. Hopefully, Kentucky will find its flow when four of the five starters who were in foul trouble return to the floor in the second half.
Travis Pery three!
02/26/2025 09:04:00 PMKentucky needed a bucket. Trent Noah rebounded a missed three by Koby Brea and dished it to Travis Perry, who made sure they got it.
Score Update: 2:23 1H – Kentucky 38, Oklahoma 35
02/26/2025 09:00:41 PMOklahoma just called a 30-second timeout. Oklahoma tied the game at 35, but Kentucky reclaimed the lead with three free throws by Amari Williams. In a telling sign of how disjointed this game is, Kentucky has hit seven of its last field goals but zero in the last 3:03. It’s been all free throws since then.
Score Update: 3:55 1H – Kentucky 35, Oklahoma 32
02/26/2025 08:52:01 PMAt the under-four timeout, Kentucky leads Oklahoma 35-32 in a very bizarre game. Jaxson Robinson now has four fouls, leaving Otega Oweh as the only starter without two fouls so far. There have been 10 fouls called on Kentucky, 6 on Oklahoma. The Vandy/Texas A&M game lasted 2:42. This one might not be far behind.
Text Machine wants ESPN programming reform (Same)
02/26/2025 08:49:41 PMText your observations to 859-587-3828 (standard messaging rates apply).
Brandon Garrison hits his second three!
02/26/2025 08:47:02 PMBrandon Garrison is enjoying his trip home to the Sooner State. He just hit his second three of the night, taking his season total to nine. Unfortunately, he committed a foul on the other end, leading to 1-2 free throws by Jaylon Moore.
5:14 1H – Kentucky 35, Oklahoma 30
Lamont Butler now has two fouls
02/26/2025 08:46:08 PMThe fouls are piling up for Kentucky. Lamont Butler just picked up his second and will head to the bench. That makes it Butler, Amari Williams, and Andrew Carr all with two fouls with over five minutes left in the first half.
Vanderbilt vs. Texas A&M is finally over
02/26/2025 08:44:09 PMIt took 44 extra minutes, but Vanderbilt vs. Texas A&M is finally over, with Vandy hanging on for the 86-84 win. Even though that opens a path for Kentucky to get to the No. 6 seed in the SEC Tournament if the Cats finish 3-1, I don’t think anyone feels great about the ‘Dores or the Aggies right now.
Time to switch back to SEC Network.
They moved Amari Williams’ foul to Lamont Butler
02/26/2025 08:42:50 PMGood news! Officials reviewed the third foul on Amari Williams and rescinded it, giving it to Lamont Butler instead. Williams just has two fouls now.
Score Update: 7:22 1H – Kentucky 30, Oklahoma 26
02/26/2025 08:39:15 PMIt’s also a homecoming of sorts for Brandon Garrison, who hails from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and he’s celebrating by hitting his eighth three-pointer of the season. That put Kentucky up by six, 30-24, but Jeremiah Fears scored to cut the margin to four. Fears and Jaylon Moore are carrying the Sooners with a combined 17 points.
Amari Williams just picked up his 3rd foul
02/26/2025 08:36:18 PMPlaying Amari Williams with two fouls was a risk. Williams just picked up his third on a bucket by Sam Godwin. Before Brandon Garrison could check in, Williams got an and-on on the other end to make it 25-19 Kentucky with 8:45 to go in the half.
In other news, Koby Brea hit a three.
Score Update: 9:41 1H – Kentucky 19, Oklahoma 16
02/26/2025 08:33:49 PMKentucky led by as many as nine at the 11:40 mark, but Oklahoma’s Jalon Moore pulled the Sooners within three at the 9:41 mark, prompting Mark Pope to call a timeout. He’s got eight points so far.
Amari Williams checks back in
02/26/2025 08:32:05 PMBreathe a sigh of relief, BBN. Amari Williams just checked back in after going out with an ankle injury earlier in the game. He’s playing with two fouls.
Here’s a better look at Williams’ fall:
Somehow the Vandy/Texas A&M game is still happening
02/26/2025 08:29:17 PMWe’re still on SEC Network+ because Vandy/Texas A&M won’t end. The ‘Dores lead 80-74 with 26.8 seconds remaining, a solid half hour after the game was scheduled to end.
Score Update: 11:48 1H – Kentucky 14, Oklahoma 8
02/26/2025 08:27:13 PMOtega Oweh is settling into a groove. The former Sooner just scored five straight points to give the Cats a 6-point lead at the under-12 timeout. The current Sooners can’t buy a bucket, making just one of their last seven field goals.
Andrew Carr picks his 2nd foul
02/26/2025 08:23:29 PMKentucky’s frontcourt was a big advantage coming into tonight. Both of the Cats’ bigs now have two fouls, as Andrew Carr just picked up his second. He will head to the bench. Thankfully, Mohamed Wague missed the free throw because #BallDontLie
13:34 1H – Kentucky 9, Oklahoma 8
Amari Williams goes down clutching his ankle
02/26/2025 08:18:57 PMKentucky can’t catch a break. Amari Williams just picked up his second foul and fell to the floor in pain, clutching his ankle. According to those on the scene, he was able to walk off under his own power, but with a limp.
Kentucky might really be cursed.
Jaxson Robinson hits a three to give Kentucky the lead
02/26/2025 08:16:20 PMAndrew Carr finally got Kentucky on the board to tie things up, but Jeremiah Fears responded with a bucket of his own. Thankfully, Jaxson Robinson hit a three to give Kentucky its first lead.
16:38 1H – Kentucky 5, Oklahoma 4
Sloppy start for both teams
02/26/2025 08:14:20 PMIf you’re waiting for the game to come on SEC Network instead of SEC Network+, you haven’t missed much yet. Oklahoma leads 2-0 with 18:07 to go. There have been five turnovers total (3 by Oklahoma, 2 by Kentucky). Kentucky is 0-4 from the field so far, with Otega Oweh missing his first two shot attempts.
The game is starting on SEC Network+ (the app)
02/26/2025 08:10:28 PMGet out your streaming device and login information because this game is starting on SEC Network+ on the ESPN app while Vanderbilt at Texas A&M wraps up.
Back to the old starting lineup
02/26/2025 08:08:00 PMWith Butler and Robinson back, Kentucky is going back to its old starting lineup, one of the most efficient in the country. Let’s do it. (Seriously, I’m tired of watching Vandy vs. Texas A&M)
Text Machine wants Vandy vs. Texas A&M to be over (Same)
02/26/2025 08:00:39 PMText your observations to 859-587-3828 (standard messaging rates apply).
SEC Network countdown clock says 9:10 p.m. ET tip
02/26/2025 07:53:14 PMIf you’re on SEC Network, you can see that Vanderbilt vs. Texas A&M is still underway, with over six minutes left. According to the countdown clock the SEC Network just showed, it looks like we’re aiming for a 9:10 p.m. ET tip. We’ll see if it remains on SEC Network or if the start is moved to ESPN News.
Otega Oweh in the pregame dance circle is a mood
02/26/2025 07:48:14 PMThe Cats look ready! Also, I’m not sure I’ve seen an arena in which the locker rooms aren’t on the same level as the floor.
Tonight’s officials…
02/26/2025 07:41:47 PM…are Doug Shows, Courtney Green, and Todd Austin. Kentucky is 1-3 in games officiated by Shows this season (Ohio State, Brown, Ole Miss, Texas), 2-0 in games by Green (Duke, Tennessee), and 2-1 in games by Austin (Wright State, Florida, Texas).
Mark Pope says Lamont Butler and Jaxson Robinson will start
02/26/2025 07:36:05 PMAs you might expect, Mark Pope’s pregame conversation with Tom Leach started with the latest on Lamont Butler and Jaxson Robinson. Pope said both will start tonight for Kentucky.
“We’re going to play them. They’ve been cleared and we’re going to play them and just see how it goes. We’ll hold our breaths for the first few minutes but they’ve practiced the last two days and increasingly got more and more confident and they’re both feeling good so we’ll let them run.”
Blue is getting in, but not a lot more…
02/26/2025 07:34:21 PMThe promise of free tacos (for students) and $2 beers doesn’t seem to be doing the trick so far in Norman. Lots of empty seats with 30 minutes until tipoff but many of those who are there are wearing blue, so that’s great.
Adou Thiero out indefinitely for Arkansas
02/26/2025 07:16:33 PMWhile we wait for tipoff, here’s an unfortunate update on a former Cat. Arkansas announced tonight that Adou Thiero is out indefinitely with a knee injury suffered in the Missouri game. Surgery isn’t expected, but there is no timeline for his return. The Razorbacks take on Texas tonight at the same time as Kentucky vs. Oklahoma. The stakes are high, with both teams on the NCAA Tournament bubble.
Watch KSR’s Pregame Chat
02/26/2025 07:01:20 PMAdam Stratton is in Norman tonight to help cover the game for us. He’s joining Jack Pilgrim and Zack Geoghegan for a pregame chat to discuss the scene at Lloyd Noble Center with just about an hour until tipoff, including how Jaxson Robinson and Lamont Butler look during warmups. Check it out below.
Check out the brace on Lamont Butler’s shoulder
02/26/2025 06:54:14 PMLamont Butler is also out for warmups and is active tonight, but check out the big brace he’s sporting on his injured shoulder. Kentucky’s floor general might as well be the Bionic Man in that thing.
Jaxson Robinson is the first player out for warm-ups
02/26/2025 06:47:47 PMJaxson Robinson is active tonight after missing four games with a wrist injury. The Ada, Oklahoma native is the first Wildcat out for warm-ups. As Adam Stratton, KSR’s reporter on the scene tonight, shows you, that wrist looks pretty good so far.
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