Big Blue Preview: Kentucky vs. Texas A&M
By the time Travis Perry arrived on the campus of the University of Kentucky, he was already a legend in the Commonwealth. Perry was named the 2024 Kentucky Mr. Basketball after completing his career at Lyon County High School, where he led his team to the Sweet 16 title as a senior.
Perry was known as a scorer at Lyon County. He became the first player in Kentucky high school history to score more than 5,000 points in his career. However, during his freshman season, it has been his play at point guard that has gotten Perry on the floor.
Filling in for the injured Kerr Kriisa, Perry has grown into his role as the backup point guard to Lamont Butler.
“I definitely feel like I’m getting more comfortable in my role,” Perry said. “It’s always a little bit of a struggle going into a different environment, no matter where it is. But I think I’ve definitely made huge strides and just found out what I need to do in the minutes I get.”
Perry, who has hit a three-pointer in three of the last four UK games, is one of a number of good shooters on the Kentucky roster. The Cats hit 16 threes in the road win at Mississippi State on Saturday night. While good shooting can definitely carry a team, Perry and the Cats know that it’s just as important to find other ways to get to the end goal.
“I think we have a great shooting team, probably one of the best in the country. I think if we make shots, and we’re hot, we can beat anybody in the country,” Perry said. “But I think we also want to be at a point where we can win games when we’re not making shots. I think good teams can really win when they’re making shots, but I think great teams and championship level teams can win when they’re not making shots.”
The Southeastern Conference gauntlet continues on Tuesday night as the eighth-ranked Cats welcome No. 11 Texas A&M to Rupp Arena. The Aggies are 13-3 overall and 2-1 in league play. On Saturday, A&M lost to Alabama 94-88 while playing without leading scorer Wade Taylor IV. Perry knows that the Aggies really hit the boards.
“They’re a very good team. Offensive rebounding stands out for them,” Perry said. “Number one in the country in offensive rebound percentage by a large margin. We need to come out early, make a push early and continue it throughout the game.”
Tuesday’s game is set for a 7 p.m. tipoff and it can be seen on ESPN2.
UK Gets Tough Road Win at Mississippi State
Behind 16 made 3-pointers and a season-high 27 points from Jaxson Robinson, Kentucky improved to 4-0 against Associated Press-ranked opponents this season with a hard-fought 95-90 victory at Mississippi State on Saturday. The victory also marked the 200th career win as a head coach for Mark Pope.
Six Wildcats scored in double-figures for the fourth time this season as the high-powered UK offense put up at least 95 points for the seventh time and the second time in three SEC contests.
A back-and-forth first half saw six ties and 11 lead changes, with each team leading by as many as six points.
Kentucky started the second-half strong, and built a 14-point lead at 68-54 with 15:16 left on the clock. Mississippi State would go on a 12-point run to cut the lead to two with 12:19 remaining, and eventually knotted the game at 71 with 10:46 to play. The Bulldogs took their first lead of the second half with 8:17 to go on a 3-pointer from Claudell Harris Jr, but two-straight 3s from Ansley Almonor and a basket by Otega Oweh put the Cats back up, 86-80. Mississippi State cut the lead to one with two minutes to go, but could not overtake UK.
Some additional notes from the game:
• Kentucky improves to 4-0 against AP Top-15 opponents. The four wins against teams in the top 15 are the most in the country
• The Wildcats have now won their first four games against ranked opponents for the first time since 2014-15
• The 16 made 3s were the second most in a game this season for UK, and the most ever for the program against Mississippi State. It was also the second-time this season the Cats have shot at least 50 percent from deep (Louisville)
• Jaxson Robinson’s seven made 3s tied Dontaie Allen (2021) for the most ever by a UK player against Mississippi State
• Otega Oweh has scored in double figures in every game this season and now has multiple steals in four straight games
• Amari Williams posted his third double-double of the season with 10 points and 12 boards, while also tying his career high with six assists
• Ansley Almonor hit three triples, all in the second half, his most made 3s in a game this season
• Lamont Butler tied his career high with eight assists
• It was just the fourth time that Mississippi State has allowed 90 points in regulation under Chris Jans. Three of those four games have been against Kentucky
• The two teams combined for 72 3-point attempts, the second most ever in a Kentucky game (84 – SW Louisiana, Dec. 23, 1989)
• The Wildcats have won 10 consecutive games against Mississippi State in Starkville, tying the longest streak in school history
Here’s to You, Mr. Robinson
Kentucky guard Jaxson Robinson was named to several preseason watch lists and teams.
Robinson was a selection on the All-Southeastern Conference Third Team by both the league’s coaches and media, he was also among 20 early season candidates for the Julius Erving award honoring the nation’s best small forward, and he was also among the Naismith Trophy’s preseason list for the national player of the year honor as well as the preseason Wooden Award watch list.
• Robinson broke out for 27 points on 9-of-12 shooting on the road at Mississippi State, leading the Wildcats to a 95-90 win. Robinson made seven 3s in the contest, tying Dontaie Allen (2021) for the most ever by a Wildcat against Mississippi State
• Against Gonzaga, Robinson stepped into the point guard role while both Lamont Butler and Kerr Kriisa were sidelined with injuries. He scored 18 points, including 15 after halftime, and dished out five assists without yielding a turnover
• Robinson is averaging 12.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game
• He’s topped double-figure scoring in 11 games
• The Ada, Oklahoma, native has connected on multiple 3-pointers in 12 games
