Kentucky basketball: Three stars of the night from a sloppy win against Bucknell

Not every game is going to be flawless, but when you can play a bit off and still win big, it's always a good sign. The Cats had some early struggles with turnovers and inconsistent shooting but ultimately pulled away from a scrappy Bucknell team.

Coach Mark Pope emphasized rebounding before the game, and the Cats delivered. From the opening tip, they dominated the glass, looking like a different team with their rebounding intensity. The hustle was there, too; Kentucky players were diving for loose balls even when they were up by 18 points.

One surprising element of the game was an unusually quiet night for lead guard Lamont Butler, who had trouble finding his rhythm. He had more turnovers than assists and only two points with ten minutes left. But with Butler's skills and experience, better nights are certainly ahead and are needed.

Now, let’s look at the players who shined brightest in this win, our top three stars of the night:

1. Koby Brea

Not much needs to be said when you shoot the ball like Koby Brea did Saturday afternoon. When he’s in the zone, defenses might as well be invisible, and Bucknell took that literally a few times. Brea made the most of it, knocking down shots all night. He finished the game with 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists on 7-11 of shooting.

2. Kerr Kriisa

Every team needs a playmaker who keeps the offense flowing, and Kerr Kriisa is emerging. He did a bit of everything in tonight's game, showcasing his passing and hustle. He set up his teammates, made a few key defensive stops, and showed his versatility. Kriisa ended the night with 6 points, 12 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block.

3. Amari Williams

Amari Williams continued his impressive start to the season, putting up another double-double and showing his passing ability. His all-around game has been crucial for Kentucky’s early success. If he keeps producing at this level, the Cats will be a tough team to beat. Williams wrapped up the game with 13 points, 14 rebounds, and 2 assists. He needs to clean up the turnovers, though, as he finished with 5.

The Cats did what they needed to do, even with a few bumps along the way. They’ll look to clean up the turnovers as they prepare for a tougher test against Duke on Tuesday