LIVE BLOG: No. 19 Kentucky at No. 15 Missouri
Can Kentucky close out the regular season with another AP Top 15 win? KSR’s LIVE BLOG will bring you all the sights and sounds from Mizzou Arena as the No. 19 Wildcats take on the No. 15 Missouri Tigers (12 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Kentucky is coming off a 31-point win over LSU on Senior Night, which improved the Cats’ record to 20-10, 9-8 in the SEC. Missouri is struggling, losing three of its last four since the big win over Alabama on Feb. 19. The Cats and the Tigers are very similar squads, with elite offenses capable of putting up a lot of points and vulnerable defenses (although Kentucky’s is improving). A Kentucky win opens up the Nos. 5-7 seeds in the SEC Tournament, while a loss locks the Cats into the No. 8 seed in Nashville.
Will the Cats pull off the upset in CoMo? Refresh the feed below for updates and our takes on the game, from both Mizzou Arena 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).
Check out Rhoback’s new Kentucky Game Day collection. New customers use code KSR for 20% off. Interested in having your brand featured alongside KSR’s postseason coverage? It’s not too late! Email [email protected] to request more information.
FINAL: Kentucky 91, Missouri 83
03/08/2025 01:26:45 PMNow that’s how you wrap up the regular season. Kentucky was a 6.5-point underdog coming into today’s game in Columbia. After a slow start, the Cats ran away with a HUGE road win, beating the Missouri Tigers 91-83. Kentucky finishes the regular season 21-10, 10-8 in SEC play.
Otega Oweh was the Cats’ top scorer with 22 points, followed by Koby Brea with 17, Andrew Carr with 16, and Amari Williams with 14. Carr was particularly huge down the stretch, helping Kentucky hold off a late Missouri rally. He also had 12 rebounds, marking his third double double of the season.
The Cats now have eight wins over AP Top 15 teams, a program record, and 10 Quad 1 victories, which will serve them well come Selection Sunday. Kentucky was on the No. 3/No. 4 seed line this morning. A Quad 1 win vs. a top-15 team could push them comfortably into No. 3 seed territory. Today’s win also means Kentucky will be a No. 5, 6, or 7 seed in the SEC Tournament, eliminating the possibility of the No. 8 seed. The Texas A&M/LSU (4 p.m., SEC Network) and Ole Miss/Florida (6 p.m., SEC Network) games will determine when and who the Cats play in Nashville.
Koby Brea’s dunk may be the dagger
03/08/2025 01:16:22 PMMizzou cut Kentucky’s lead to six, but the Cats quickly regained momentum. Koby Brea’s dunk may have been the dagger, pushing Kentucky’s lead back to ten with 1:15 to go.
Score Update: 2:23 2H – Kentucky 78-67
03/08/2025 01:13:12 PMKentucky’s lead is back to double digits thanks to two free throws by Otega Oweh. The Cats are on a 6-0 run. Missouri hasn’t scored in almost three minutes. We’ve got some “Go Big Blue” chants in CoMo.
Score Update: 3:15 2H – Kentucky 75, Missouri 67
03/08/2025 01:08:40 PMAndrew Carr is coming through in the clutch! Carr just slammed an Otega Oweh miss home to put Kentucky up eight points with three minutes to go. He now has 16 points and 11 rebounds, his third double-double of the season.
Kentucky wishes it had that inbounds play back
03/08/2025 01:07:54 PMKentucky just turned the ball over on the inbounds play coming out of the timeout, which led to more bad news. Lamont Butler picked up his fourth foul trying to draw a charge, sending Tamar Bates to the line. He hit both free throws to pull Missouri within five.
4:04 2H: Kentucky 72, Missouri 67
Score Update: 4:09 2H – Kentucky 72, Missouri 65
03/08/2025 01:02:18 PMThe Tigers are still hanging around, down seven with just over four to go. Mizzou’s defense prompted Lamont Butler to call a timeout. The Tigers are staying in the game in part because of second-chance points. They’re outrebounding Kentucky on the offensive glass 13-9 and have 13 second-chance points to the Cats’ two.
HUGE three by Otega Oweh!
03/08/2025 12:58:28 PMKentucky needed a bucket and Otega Oweh provided one. A three by Oweh just pushed Kentucky’s lead back to nine with five minutes to go.
5:07 2H – Kentucky 70, Missouri 61
Score Update: 6:19 2H – Kentucky 66, Missouri 61
03/08/2025 12:54:34 PMIt was all going so well. Kentucky’s 16-point lead is down to five. Marques Warrick’s bucket capped off Missouri’s 10-0 run and prompted Mark Pope to call a timeout.
Missouri cuts Kentucky’s lead to single digits
03/08/2025 12:47:29 PMThe Tigers are trying to make this a game. A three by Marques Warrick, a Kentucky native, cut Kentucky’s lead to nine and capped off a 6-0 Mizzou run. Kentucky is in a bit of a cold spell, missing its last four field goals. The Cats need a strong response out of the halftime to shut the door on the Tigers.
7:23 2H – Kentucky 66, Missouri 57
Score Update: 9:24 2H – Kentucky 66, Missouri 51
03/08/2025 12:44:07 PMA steal and score by Otega Oweh brings Kentucky’s lead to 15 with just under ten minutes to go. Oweh has 12 so far.
Amari Williams now has 1,000 career rebounds
03/08/2025 12:35:14 PMAmari Williams crossed the 1,000-point mark in his career at Drexel. Today, he joined the 1,000 rebound club. He’s got seven rebounds so far for the Cats. The battle of the boards is tied at 26.
Score Update: 11:33 2H – Kentucky 62, Missouri 48
03/08/2025 12:42:50 PMAt the Under-12 timeout, the Cats are cruising, up 14 on Missouri. Collin Chandler scored Kentucky’s last five points, bringing his total today to eight. His three brings the Cats’ total beyond the arc to ten and prompted Dennis Gates to call a timeout. Love to see it.
The “Missucky” t-shirt wins the day
03/08/2025 12:23:27 PMDo you support both Kentucky and Missouri but love the Cats a little more? This “Missucky” t-shirt is for you!
Score Update: 15:36 1H – Kentucky 49, Missouri 37
03/08/2025 12:19:40 PMKentucky is off to a great start in the second half, leading Missouri by 12 at the first media timeout. The Cats are 4-9 from the floor so far this half, 2-3 from beyond the arc, with Otega Oweh and Andrew Carr both swishing triples to take Kentucky’s total today to nine threes.
For Missouri, Mark Mitchell is on fire, scoring six points this half to bring his total to 18. The Tigers are just 4-15 from three. Let’s hope that number stays low as the Cats look to close this one out and improve their SEC and NCAA Tournament seeds.
HALF: Kentucky 38, Missouri 29
03/08/2025 11:57:27 AMAfter a sluggish start, the Cats are rolling — even with several starters in foul trouble. Collin Chandler just hit a three, his first bucket of the game, to put Kentucky up nine at halftime. It was Kentucky’s SEVENTH three-pointer of the game. Koby Brea has three of those. He leads the Cats in scoring with 11 points.
Kentucky started the game 1-6 from the floor, but is now 13-29 (45%). Missouri is 11-31 (35%) and just 3-13 (23%) from the three-point line. The Tigers owned the boards early, but the Cats now have a 19-18 advantage.
Kentucky’s in a good position, especially with Lamont Butler and Otega Oweh returning to action after being in foul trouble most of the first half. The Cats are 17-1 this season when they lead at halftime.
Score Update: 1:08 1H – Kentucky 35, Missouri 25
03/08/2025 11:53:46 AMKentucky’s lead is now ten! Amari Williams and Koby Brea have been behind the Cats’ resurgence, combining for 19 of Kentucky’s 35 points. Brea is a perfect 3-3 from three-point range so far.
Did you catch that KSR reference by Tom Hart?
03/08/2025 11:49:42 AMTom Hart games mean KSR Easter Eggs. His latest was pretty impressive. While praising Travis Perry, he mentioned Venture River Water Park, a favorite of Drew Franklin’s in Western Kentucky. Hart has also dropped “bigguns” today.
As far as the game goes, Kentucky’s lead is up to eight, 28-20, with 2:48 to go in the half.
Score Update: 3:55 1H – Kentucky 24, Missouri 20
03/08/2025 11:45:23 AMKentucky’s still up four at the final media timeout of the first half. Amari Williams is headed back to the line after a foul by Tony Perkins, Missouri’s sixth. Kentucky’s freshmen are stepping up, with Collin Chandler blocking a Caleb Grill three to get it ahead to Williams for the layup that drew the foul.
Text Machine doesn’t like the officiating
03/08/2025 11:44:38 AMText your observations to 859-587-3828 (standard messaging rates apply).
Score Update: 4:52 1H – Kentucky 24, Missouri 20
03/08/2025 11:42:29 AMLamont Butler is back in the game with two fouls and dished it to Amari Williams, who drew a foul, just Missouri’s fourth. Williams also had a dunk at the 5:50 mark thanks to Travis Perry, who quickly bounced back after getting rejected at the rim.
Brandon Garrison picks up his 2nd foul
03/08/2025 11:37:59 AMBrandon Garrison just fouled Trent Piece, joining Kentucky’s two-foul club. Garrison, Lamont Butler, and Otega Oweh all have two fouls so far. Missouri is now in the bonus with seven minutes to go in the half.
7:03 1H – Kentucky 20, Missouri 15
DEEP three by Koby Brea
03/08/2025 11:33:13 AMKentucky still leads by five thanks to a DEEP three by Koby Brea. The Cats are 5-8 from beyond the arc so far and have made four of their last five goals. Unfortunately, Brandon Garrison just turned it over. It’ll be Missouri ball coming out of the media timeout.
7:41 1H – Kentucky 18, Missouri 13
Score Update: 8:44 1H – Kentucky 15, Missouri 11
03/08/2025 11:30:13 AMA three by Travis Perry gave Kentucky the lead, and Otega Oweh got a steal and slam to cap off an 11-0 run for the Cats. That was Kentucky’s first two-pointer of the game so far.
Koby Brea three brings Kentucky within one
03/08/2025 11:28:06 AMKentucky is within one thanks to a stepback three by Koby Brea. The Cats’ only field goals are threes today. They’re 0-7 on twos.
Score Update: 11:09 1H – Missouri 11, Kentucky 7
03/08/2025 11:23:16 AMAfter passing up a wide-open bucket earlier, Trent Noah ended a long scoring drought for the Cats with a triple, earning a “Mountain Mamba” shoutout from Tom Hart. Noah and Andrew Carr are the only Cats who have scored. Kentucky is just 2-11 from the floor but only trails by four at the Under-12 timeout.
Lamont Butler picks up his 2nd foul
03/08/2025 11:17:53 AMAnother bad sign for Kentucky: Lamont Butler just picked up his second foul with 13:38 to go in the first half. The Cats have five fouls to Missouri’s one so far.
Kentucky’s last few possessions have been horrible
03/08/2025 11:15:29 AMHow badly is Kentucky playing so far? Just look at the last two possessions. On the first, Brandon Garrison was caught fumbling the ball as the shot clock expired. On the second, the Cats played hot potato, passing the ball all around and finally under the basket to Trent Noah, for some reason decided NOT to shoot an open layup. Instead, he gave it to Andrew Carr, who drew a foul and went 1-1 from the line.
It’s ugly so far for the Cats in Como.
14:01 1H – MZ 8, UK 4
Score Update: 15:27 1H – Mizzou 7, Kentucky 3
03/08/2025 11:09:01 AMThe Cats do not look good so far, with Brandon Garrisons’ air-balled three serving as the exclamation point on an ugly first segment. Kentucky is just 1-6 from the floor so far, Andrew Carr’s early three the lone made field goal. Missouri is 3-9 but is beating the Cats on the boards 7-3, with three offensive rebounds to Kentucky’s zero. The Tigers’ pressure is really bothering Kentucky so far.
Andrew Carr gets Kentucky on the board with a three
03/08/2025 11:04:49 AMIt’s been a somewhat slow start for both teams, which are a combined 3-11 from the floor. Mizzou’s Tamar Bates struck first, but Andrew Carr got the Cats on the board with a three-pointer. Missouri’s Tony Perkins responded with one of his own to put the Tigers on top 5-2.
16:37 1H – Mizzou 5, Kentucky 3
College Gameday goes with Mizzou
03/08/2025 10:57:43 AMThe College Gameday panel doesn’t think Kentucky will get it done in CoMo. Jay Williams, Seth Greenberg, and Jay Bilas all picked Missouri to beat Kentucky.
Starting lineups
03/08/2025 10:42:59 AMKentucky’s rolling with the same starting lineup as the last game, with Koby Brea in Jaxson Robinson’s old spot.
01 Lamont Butler
04 Koby Brea
00 Otega Oweh
07 Andrew Carr
22 Amari Williams
Missouri’s starting lineup:
0 Anthony Robinson II
02 Tamar Bates
12 Tony Perkins
25 Mark Mitchell
33 Josh Gray
Remember that Mizzou’s leading scorer, Caleb Grill, comes off the bench.
Missouri up to a 6.5-point favorite
03/08/2025 10:41:19 AMMissouri opened up as a 3.5-point favorite on Friday. The line is now Tigers -6.5, with the total set at 171.5 points. If you believe in the Cats, you can get them at +195 on the moneyline on FanDuel. Kentucky’s team total also looks appealing at 83.5 points.
Saturday AM Bracketology update
03/08/2025 10:36:09 AMKentucky enters the final Saturday of the regular season riding the No. 3/No. 4 seed line in Bracketology. A win over Missouri would obviously help the Cats’ chances of getting a No. 3 seed. Missouri is currently projected to be a No. 5 seed.
Today’s officials…
03/08/2025 10:31:04 AM…are Don Daily, Jeb Hartness, and Lucas Santos. Kentucky is 1-2 in games called by Daily this season (Colgate, Georgia, Arkansas), 4-0 with Hartness (Louisville, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Vanderbilt), and 1-0 with Santos (Florida).
Boots on the ground in Columbia
03/08/2025 10:19:32 AMMissouri tried to keep me out by not making me a credential, but I wouldn’t go down that easily. Jack Pilgrim is to my left with Steven Peake roaming the floor. Tipoff coming in 40 minutes.
SEC Tournament Scenario Cheat Sheet
03/08/2025 09:01:51 AMToday, we’ll finally find out who and when Kentucky will play in the SEC Tournament next week. Here’s a refresher on the scenarios. If the Cats lose to Missouri, they’ll be locked into the No. 8 seed. Beat Missouri and they could be the Nos. 5, 6, or 7 seed.
Adam Luckett went in-depth on the scenarios for Kentucky and every SEC team earlier this week. Here’s a quick rundown of who the Cats may face.
- No. 8 seed: Kentucky will play the winner of Arkansas/Mississippi State/Vandy vs. South Carolina on Thursday
- No. 7 seed: Kentucky will play the winner of Mississippi State/Arkansas/Vandy vs. LSU on Thursday
- No. 6 seed: Kentucky will play the winner of Mississippi State/Arkansas/Vandy/Georgia vs. Oklahoma on Thursday
- No. 5 seed: Kentucky will play the winner of Georgia/Arkansas/Vandy vs. Texas on Thursday
Here’s today’s SEC schedules so you can keep track:
- No. 24 Mississippi State at Arkansas (Noon | SEC Network)
- Vanderbilt at Georgia (Noon | ESPNU)
- No. 19 Kentucky at No. 15 Missouri (Noon | ESPN)
- South Carolina at No. 4 Tennessee (2:00 | SEC Network)
- No. 7 Alabama at No. 1 Auburn (2:00 | ESPN)
- No. 22 Texas A&M at LSU (4:00 | SEC Network)
- Ole Miss at No. 5 Florida (6:00 | SEC Network)
- Oklahoma at Texas (8:00 | SEC Network)
A busy day of college hoops
03/08/2025 08:52:06 AMKentucky vs. Missouri tips off a busy — and meaningful — day of college hoops. At the same time, Arkansas will be hosting No. 25 Mississippi State, which could determine Kentucky’s opponent in the SEC Tournament next week. About 30 minutes after our game is over, we’ll get a rematch of the Iron Bowl as No. 1 Auburn hosts No. 7 Alabama on ESPN.
Here’s the schedule. Texas A&M vs. LSU and Ole Miss vs. Florida also have big ramifications for Kentucky’s SEC Tournament seed.
Tom Hart is back on the call!
03/08/2025 08:47:27 AMFor the first time since 2024, Tom Hart is calling a Kentucky Basketball game. KSR’s favorite announcer is working today’s game alongside his broadcasting partner Dane Bradshaw. Hart’s last Kentucky game was vs. Colgate on Dec. 11. He’s a proud Missouri alum, so he’ll be rooting for the Tigers internally, but hopefully we still get some fun KSR references.
Here’s how to watch and listen:
- Time: Noon EST
- Television: ESPN (Tom Hart, Dane Bradshaw)
- Home Radio: UK Sports Network – 630 WLAP, iHeart Radio (Tom Leach, Goose Givens)
- Online Radio: iHeart
- Satellite Radio: Sirius 82
- Live Stats: StatBroadcast
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