Kentucky basketball shook off a sluggish start and dominated NC Central in a blowout win, flashing its most complete stretch of basketball this season, winning by a final score of 103-67. It marked UK’s eighth game over 100+ points under Mark Pope, good for the second-most in the SEC over the last two seasons.
After trading baskets early, the Wildcats ignited a 16–0 run that completely flipped the momentum. It was the best run Kentucky has produced all year, fueled by defensive pressure. In the first
half alone, the Wildcats recorded five steals and forced eight turnovers, turning giveaways into easy transition points.
While the defense set the tone, Kentucky’s offense was sparked by breakout performances from Trent Noah and Otega Oweh. Noah delivered his best half in a Kentucky uniform, scoring 11 first-half points while shooting 4-of-7 from the field and 3-of-5 from deep. He added two rebounds, one assist, and a steal, showing the kind of all-around efficiency the coaching staff has been hoping to unlock.
Oweh matched that energy with 12 first-half points on a near-perfect 5-of-7 shooting, including 2-of-2 from three. He also grabbed six rebounds and tallied two steals, consistently impacting the game on both ends.
Kentucky carried a 51–32 lead into the locker room, and the second half never saw NC Central threaten. The Wildcats maintained their defensive pressure, continued to run the floor, and cruised to a comfortable victory.
It was the kind of all-around performance Kentucky needed and one that could serve as a turning point as the schedule gets harder.
Here are four things to know from this one.
1. Mark Pope lights fire into team and Brandon Garrison
Kentucky head coach Mark Pope didn’t hide his emotions during Tuesday night’s win, and his intensity was felt from the opening minutes during halftime. Even in a game the Wildcats controlled, Pope made it clear he expects much more. During his halftime radio interview, Pope bluntly called the team’s effort “unacceptable at times,” pointing directly to defensive lapses and stretches of low energy. When asked what the locker-room message would be, he kept it simple and sharp: “We gotta guard.”
His urgency wasn’t just for show; it carried into how he handled his players. One of the most telling moments came when junior big man Brandon Garrison turned the ball over, then jogged back toward the bench. Pope immediately told him, “Go sit down,” benching him on the spot. It isn’t the first game Garrison struggled to produce, and Pope’s reaction reflects a growing reality in Kentucky’s frontcourt battle: freshman Malachi Moreno is quickly earning the trust that Garrison is losing.
Moreno continues to play with the energy, effort, and consistency that Pope demands. His rebounding, rim protection, and willingness to do the small things have already made him one of Kentucky’s most impactful players despite his age. With Jayden Quaintance still sidelined, Moreno is making a strong case to remain the starting center even after the rotation returns to full strength.
Pope’s message was loud and clear: Effort and defense are non-negotiable, and if Kentucky wants to climb back toward national relevance, this kind of fire may be exactly what the Wildcats need.
2. Trent Noah and Otega Oweh deliver
Kentucky saw two great outings, as Otega Oweh and Trent Noah powered the Wildcats in a much-needed bounce-back performance.
For Oweh, Tuesday night was another sign that he’s turning the corner after battling a turf-toe injury early in the Summer. Many fans felt his breakout was coming after a strong showing against North Carolina, and he backed that up again against NC Central. Oweh attacked downhill, finished in transition, and knocked down shots with confidence, looking far closer to the explosive, two-way guard he was last season. His defensive pressure also set the tone, giving Kentucky the kind of edge Mark Pope has been demanding.
Trent Noah’s performance was equally impressive. The sharpshooter entered the game with only one double-digit scoring outing this season, the game against Tennessee Tech, but he wasted no time adding another. Noah scored in bunches in the first half, reaching double figures before the break and showing exactly why the coaching staff has been high on his development. His three-point shooting stretched the defense, and his poise on the floor looked like that of a veteran rather than a newcomer.
For a Kentucky team searching for consistent perimeter production, seeing both Oweh and Noah step up is a major step forward. If this game is a sign of things to come, the Wildcats may finally be unlocking the balance and firepower needed for a strong run the rest of the season.
3. The Kentucky boys show out
Kentucky’s matchup with NC Central turned into a showcase for the homegrown talent on Mark Pope’s roster, as Jasper Johnson, Malachi Moreno, and Trent Noah all delivered double-digit performances and sparked one of the Wildcats’ most complete outings of the season.
For much of the year, Kentucky fans have been waiting for the trio to break through consistently, especially Johnson and Noah, who have both battled stretches of inconsistency, but against NC Central, all three made their presence felt.
Jasper Johnson, the freshman guard from Versailles, looked confident and composed, attacking the lane, knocking down shots, and playing under control, something the coaching staff has been pushing him toward all season. His decision-making and pace helped stabilize Kentucky’s offense during a slow start.
Malachi Moreno, the Georgetown native, once again showed why he’s been one of the most reliable sparks on the roster. Whether coming off the bench or earning starting minutes, Moreno continues to play with a relentless motor. His finishing around the rim, rim protection, and hustle plays gave Kentucky the energy it has desperately needed.
Then came Noah, the sharpshooter from Harlan, who put together one of his strongest performances of the year. After battling early-season inconsistency, Noah found his rhythm by scoring in double figures and spacing the floor with timely threes. His confidence has surged, and it showed.
Seeing all three in-state players shine on the same night was a strong sign of growth, not just for them individually, but for Kentucky as a whole. If this performance becomes the standard, the Wildcats may finally be tapping into the potential many believed they had when the season began.
4. Kentucky’s defense steps up
Kentucky finally delivered the kind of defensive performance fans have been waiting for, locking down NC Central in a dominant win that never felt competitive. After weeks of inconsistency and lapses on the defensive end, the Wildcats stepped onto the floor with purpose, and the results showed immediately.
Kentucky held NC Central to just 31 points in the first half, one of the program’s better defensive halves of the season. The Wildcats were active, connected, and disciplined, rotating with urgency and contesting nearly every look. What’s been missing for much of the year suddenly looked natural, as Kentucky dictated the pace and forced NC Central into rushed decisions and low-percentage shots.
A key part of Kentucky’s success came from its ability to create havoc. The Wildcats forced more than 10 turnovers, turning defense into transition opportunities that helped stretch the lead early and maintain complete control. For a team that has struggled to string together stops, this outing was a much-needed reminder of what Kentucky is capable of when it buys in defensively.
Once the Wildcats built their cushion, they never looked back. NC Central had no answers and no momentum, and Kentucky’s pressure ensured the game stayed out of reach long before the final buzzer. It was a statement win, not because of the opponent, but because of the identity Kentucky showed.
Now, let’s soak in this much-needed win!
