Tuesday night wasn’t enjoyable for anyone in the fanbase, but Kentucky gets a vital reset opportunity against a struggling Loyola team (2–4).
After the discombobulated performance against Michigan State, this is the type of matchup Kentucky must use to regain confidence, tighten rotations, and finally build some rhythm. Sure, they are a weaker team but that is why you schedule these games. Kentucky needs to have fun again.
The case for pace
Loyola is competitive but gives up points easily, especially against faster teams: they struggle with turnovers, defense, and sustaining runs. Kentucky’s goal then should be to impose pace, and get their shooters clean looks early. This is a chance for Kentucky to overwhelm an opponent, if they can find their focus. But that has been easier said than done this year, with even Otega Oweh questioning his own effort.
Loyola key contributors
The Greyhounds do have a couple legitimate scorers Kentucky must monitor and defend:
- Jacob Theodosiou leads the team in scoring (16.4 PPG) and assists (3.0 APG).
- Braeden Speed is a reliable scorer (14.2 PPG) who is deadly from the free-throw line (95.2% FT).
- Jonas Sirtautas is the team’s best rebounder (6.2 RPG) and most efficient shooter (69.2% FG).
That means Kentucky should once again look to assert dominance on the glass, a place where Michigan State bullied them 42-28. That was the first time all season Kentucky had lost the rebounding battle.
How to watch and listen to Kentucky basketball take on Loyola
This is another crucial opportunity for Kentucky to get right, but it's a streaming-only matchup:
- Time: 7:00 PM ET (Insert actual time if known, otherwise leave as generic time)
- Streaming Platform: SEC Network+ through your cable login.
- Streaming Services: You can stream the game on services that carry SEC Network, including: Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, Sling TV
- Direct Access: You can subscribe to ESPN Premier for $29.99/mo to watch directly in the ESPN app.
- How to Listen:
- Online: Stream live at UKAthletics.com or on iHeartRadio via WLAP 630.
- Local FM/AM Stations:
- Lexington: 98.1 FM / 630 WLAP
- Louisville: 840 AM WHAS
- London: 103.9 FM WWEL
- Hazard/Pikeville: 101.1 WSGS
- Madisonville: 93.9 FM WKTG
The Greyhounds are a chance for Kentucky to impose their style and prove that the effort issues are fixable. They must come out with focus and urgency. They need a big win to feel good about themselves and give BBN something to feel good about too.
The last thing they need is a slow, lethargic performance and allow Loyola to stay in the game. Will they pull it off?
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion