Kentucky vs. Texas A&M-Commerce: Preview, How To Watch

With a 40-point season-opening victory under their belts, your University of Kentucky Wildcats get one more tuneup before Tuesday’s showdown vs. No. 1 Kansas in the Champions Classic. In one hour, Kentucky hosts Texas A&M-Commerce from the Southland Conference. The Lions are 0-2 so far this season, with losses to Texas A&M and Texas Tech.

The Cats are nearly a 30-point favorite, so tonight’s game is not expected to be close; however, it’ll be a good chance for Kentucky to practice the “random basketball” we saw on display on Monday. Here’s what you need to know about the game, starting with a very important note about how to watch it if you’re not at Rupp.

How to Watch

7 p.m. ET | Friday, November 10 | Rupp Arena

Streaming: SEC Network+/ESPN+ (Darren Headrick, Cameron Mills)
Home Radio: UK Sports Network – 630 WLAP, iHeart Radio (Tom Leach, Goose Givens)
Satellite Radio: Sirius 119 or 191, SXM App
Live Stats: StatBroadcast

Tonight’s game is only available on SEC Network+/ESPN+, aka “the computer.” If you’re new to this, SEC Network+ and ESPN+ are only accessible through the ESPN app. That means you won’t be able to watch the game on traditional TV; you’ll only be able to see it on smartphones, tablets, TV-connected devices (Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, SmartTV, etc.), or via espn.com/watch. 

This is the second to last game on SEC Network+ this season. Get ready to repeat this exercise in one week for the Stonehill game on Nov. 17.

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Kentucky & Texas A&M-Commerce Records

No.16/16 Kentucky: 1-0 (KenPom: 14)

• 11/6: 86-46 W vs. New Mexico State

Texas A&M-Commerce: 0-2 (KenPom: 304)

• 11/6: 78-46 L at No. 15 Texas A&M
• 11/8: 73-46 L at Texas Tech

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Kentucky vs. Texas A&M-Commerce Odds (FanDuel)

Spread: Kentucky -29.5
Total: 143.5 points
Kentucky Total: 86.5 points
Texas A&M Commerce Total: 57.5 points

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Kentucky Projected Starters

(Starting lineup based on the last game)

#21 – DJ Wagner
6-4 • 192 • GUARD • FRESHMAN
New Mexico State Stats: 13 points, 3 steals

#12 – Antonio Reeves
6-6 • 195 • GUARD • SENIOR
New Mexico State Stats: 11 points

#1 – Justin Edwards
6-8 • 203 • FORWARD • FRESHMAN
New Mexico State Stats: 12 points, 5 rebounds

#3 – Adou Thiero ** UPDATE: Thiero is out due to concussion protocol **
6-8 • 222 • GUARD • SOPHOMORE
New Mexico State Stats: 5 points, 7 rebounds

#4 – Tre Mitchell
6-9 • 231 • FORWARD • GRADUATE STUDENT
New Mexico State Stats: 9 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists

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Texas A&M-Commerce Projected Starters

#10 – Alonzo Dodd
6-1 • 170 • GUARD • SOPHOMORE
4.0 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 1.5 APG

#2 – Kalen Williams
6-2 • 175 • GUARD • SENIOR
11.5 PPG, 0.5 RPG, 1.0 APG

#11 – Khaliq Abdul-Mateen
6-1 • 186 • GUARD • JUNIOR
3.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.5 APG

#3 – Tommie Lewis
6-2 • 180 • GUARD • SENIOR
3.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.0 APG

#24 – Jerome Brewer Jr.
6-9 • 216 • FORWARD • SOPHOMORE
12.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG

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Join The Discussion on KSBoard

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. New members can take advantage of our TIPOFF SPECIAL and get 50% off their first year or 1 month for just $1.

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Take advantage of the KSR+ TIPOFF SPECIAL to get bonus coverage of Kentucky Basketball, including live game threads, in-depth scouting reports, behind-the-scenes scoop, and the latest recruiting intel. 50% off the annual price or $1 for 1 month.

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Kentucky vs. Texas A&M-Commerce History

This is the first-ever meeting between Kentucky and Texas A&M Commerce. The Lions moved from Division II to Division I in 2022 and therefore cannot participate in the NCAA Tournament until their four-year transition period is up in the 2026-27 season.

The Lions are led by Jared von Rosenberg, who is 101-68 over seven seasons as head coach. This season, Texas A&M-Commerce was picked to finish seventh in the Southland Conference. They return only three starters from last year’s team and have nine newcomers, six being transfers and three being freshmen.

There isn’t much history between the two schools, but they do share one connection. Former Kentucky Football coach Guy Morris spent four seasons as the Lions’ football coach from 2009 to 2012 after leaving Baylor. Morris passed away on Sept. 5, 2022, at the age of 71.

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Kentucky vs. Texas A&M-Commerce Storylines

FIRST GAME OF THE WILDCAT CHALLENGE

Tonight marks the start of the “Wildcat Challenge,” Kentucky’s non-conference multi-team event (MTE). As part of the challenge, Kentucky will also host Stonehill (Nov. 17) and Saint Joseph’s (Nov. 20).

WILL ADOU THIERO PLAY?

Adou Thiero got his first career start vs. New Mexico State on Monday but left the game after taking a hard fall in the second half. After the game, John Calipari said Thiero had a headache and is considered day-to-day. Given the competition, I wouldn’t be surprised if Thiero sat this game out to be ready to roll vs. Kansas.

** UPDATE: Thiero will not play, Kentucky just announced **

Adou Thiero (concussion protocol) is out tonight.

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) November 10, 2023

MORE OF THE “TWEAK”?

John Calipari thought he had us all fooled on Monday night when he mentioned the “tweak” he implemented in the second half vs. New Mexico State. Turns out it wasn’t that big of a mystery. As Drew Franklin guessed and Tre Mitchell confirmed, the adjustment was moving the ball through Mitchell more in order to keep defenses guessing. As a result, Mitchell racked up a career-high five assists and Kentucky outscored New Mexico State 49-17 in the second half, shooting over 58%. I expect we’ll see more of that tonight.

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Rapid Reaction on the KSR YouTube Channel

Can’t watch live or don’t have access to SEC Network+/ESPN+? KSR’s got you covered. Jack Pilgrim, Zack Geoghegan, and Jacob Polacheck 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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