No. 9 seed Kentucky Basketball opened SEC Tournament play Wednesday at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville with a tightly contested matchup against No. 16 seed LSU. In a game that featured several momentum swings, Kentucky leaned on senior guard Otega Oweh to pull away late and secure a much-needed 87-82 victory over the Tigers.
The Wildcats and Tigers battled back and forth for much of the afternoon, with neither team able to build a comfortable lead. LSU kept pressure on Kentucky with timely scoring
and defensive stops, but Oweh stepped up when the Wildcats needed him most. The guard made key plays down the stretch, helping Kentucky maintain control and hold off LSU’s late push.
For Kentucky, simply playing on Wednesday in the first round of the SEC Tournament was a rare sight. Historically, the Wildcats have finished high enough in the conference standings to earn at least a single bye, and often a double bye, allowing them to avoid the opening day of the tournament. This season’s ninth-place finish forced Kentucky into an earlier start than usual.
Despite playing on Wednesday, Kentucky managed to survive and advance, winning by five against LSU.
With the win, Kentucky moves on to the second round of the SEC Tournament, where it will face No. 8 seed Missouri on Thursday at 12:30 PM ET. Kentucky will have to win and play five straight days if they want to win the SEC Tournament this year.
Here are four things to know from day one of the SEC Tournament
Otega Oweh continues to star for Kentucky
Otega Oweh continues to be the star for Kentucky. In Wednesday’s SEC Tournament opener against LSU, Oweh delivered exactly what the Wildcats needed, dominating both halves and showing why he has become a cornerstone of the program since transferring from Oklahoma.
In the first half, Oweh scored 13 of Kentucky’s 46 points, added five rebounds, two assists, and a steal while playing 19 of 20 minutes. His presence on both ends of the floor kept the Wildcats in a back-and-forth contest and helped set the tone for the second half.
Oweh carried that dominance into the second half, continuing to score, rebound, and facilitate as Kentucky pulled away to secure the win. His ability to elevate his game in high-pressure situations has made him a very important piece for Kentucky and a reliable force for the team’s postseason ambitions.
Mark Pope and Kentucky will need Oweh to maintain this level of intensity as they advance deeper into the SEC Tournament and prepare for the NCAA Tournament. While the rest of the roster will need to complement his efforts, there’s no question that Kentucky’s success heavily depends on Oweh performing at this elite level. His consistency and leadership make him the driving force behind Kentucky’s hopes for a strong postseason run.
Kam Williams makes his return from injury
Kentucky fans got a welcome sight on Wednesday as Kam Williams made his return to the court in the first round of the SEC Tournament against LSU. Williams had been sidelined since breaking his foot against Texas on January 21st, but less than two months later, he was back and ready to contribute for the Wildcats.
Many expected Williams to be on a strict minutes restriction, but the forward played 12 of 20 minutes in the first half, showing no signs of rust. In the first half, he went 1-for-2 from the field and drilled one 3-pointer, although Williams did not score a lot. He helped to grab multiple rebounds, played tough defense, and helped space the floor, allowing teammates like Otega Oweh and Denzel Aberdeen to attack the rim more effectively. His presence also opened opportunities for big men Brandon Garrison and Andrija Jelavic to get easier baskets inside.
Williams being off the availability report meant Kentucky could count on him in a crucial first-round matchup, and he didn’t disappoint. His energy and floor spacing helped the Wildcats secure a victory against LSU, giving Kentucky momentum heading into the next round. Fans can take comfort knowing that Williams is back in action and ready to make a difference as Kentucky continues its SEC Tournament run.
Collin Chandler has to find his confidence again
After a standout performance against Vanderbilt in Rupp Arena, where Collin Chandler scored 23 points on 7-of-10 shooting and 6-of-8 from three-point range, expectations were high.
Chandler scored just 3 points against Texas A&M and 2 points against Florida, showing his confidence wasn’t there. In Kentucky’s first-round SEC Tournament matchup against LSU, Chandler did put up 7 points in the first half, but it was clear he was still trying to find his rhythm. He started the game settling for long-distance shots, missing two early threes, and struggled defensively as LSU repeatedly attacked him off the ball.
Kentucky will need Chandler to regain confidence and consistency as Kentucky looks to make a deeper run in both the SEC and NCAA Tournaments. With the team relying on multiple players to contribute, Chandler will have to start scoring again, but also improve his defense.
Chandler’s talent is there, but to help Kentucky advance, he must translate the potential that he has into production. The Wildcats will rely on him and the rest of the roster to step up in the coming rounds.
Brandon Garrison steps up in a big way
When Kentucky needed a steady presence in the paint against LSU, Brandon Garrison answered the call with one of his best performances of the season. With freshman starting big man Malachi Moreno battling foul trouble and struggling to find consistency in the game, Garrison stepped off the bench and delivered a huge boost for the Wildcats.
Moreno had a tough game. The freshman not only dealt with foul issues but also took a hit to the face while attempting to contest a poster dunk. That opened the door for Garrison to take on a bigger role, and the junior made the most of it.
In the first half, Garrison quietly produced solid numbers with 6 points on 3-of-4 shooting, while also contributing two blocks, three rebounds, and an assist. His defensive presence helped Kentucky stay competitive in a tightly contested matchup.
The second half, however, is when Garrison truly took over. The veteran forward scored double digits after halftime, knocked down multiple three-pointers, and came up with several steals. His energy and versatility gave the Wildcats a spark when they needed it most.
Many Kentucky fans expected a breakout season from Garrison in his second year under Pope, but until now, they had only seen flashes, including a strong showing earlier in the season against Oklahoma. Against LSU in the SEC Tournament opener, Garrison finally delivered the type of performance the BBN had been waiting for.
Now, time to celebrate win No. 1 in this year’s SEC Tournament!
