The Kentucky Wildcats head to Columbia, Mo., on March 8th to face the Missouri Tigers in their SEC regular-season finale at Mizzou Arena. Tip-off is set for 12:00 PM ET, and with Kentucky missing key guards Kerr Kriisa and Jaxson Robinson for the year due to injury, this matchup offers a chance to close conference play on a high note against a Missouri squad that’s shown flashes of brilliance. Here’s your guide to the game, including a preview, viewing details, and what to watch for.
Game Details and How to Watch
Date: Saturday, March 8, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM ET
Location: Mizzou Arena, Columbia, Mo
TV: ESPN
Tune in to ESPN via your cable or satellite provider (e.g., Channel 206 on DirecTV, 140 on Dish). Check local listings for exact channel numbers.
Streaming
Streaming Services:
Hulu + Live TV: Offers ESPN in its channel lineup.
ESPN+: If you're an ESPN+ subscriber, you can watch the game directly through the service.
YouTube TV: Includes ESPN in its core package.
Sling TV: Their Orange plan includes ESPN.
FuboTV: Another option for streaming ESPN, with a focus on sports coverage.
Radio Coverage:
UK Sports Network: For those who prefer the radio experience:
Online: Stream live at wsgs.com or through iHeartRadio's WLAP station.
FM Radio Stations:
Lexington, KY: 98.1 FM / 630 WLAP
London, KY: 103.9 FM WWEL
Louisville, KY: 840 AM WHAS
Madisonville, KY: 93.9 FM WKTG
Hazard/Pikeville, KY: 101.1 WSGS
Preview: Kentucky vs. Missouri
Kentucky (stats reflect a strong season) enters with an 85.6 points-per-game offense (No. 3 nationally), bolstered by a 56.3% effective FG% (No. 19) and a +8.8 scoring margin (No. 35). The Wildcats excel in the second half (45.3 points, No. 3) and on the boards (38.7 rebounds/game, No. 24), led by Amari Williams (10.9 points, 8.7 rebounds) and Otega Oweh (15.97 points). However, the loss of Robinson (13.04 points) strains their guard depth, putting pressure on Lamont Butler (12.05 points, 4.5 assists) and Koby Brea (11.03 points) to step up.
Missouri, averaging 84.6 points (No. 6), boasts a potent offense with a 56.7% effective FG% (No. 10) and a +12.0 scoring margin (No. 14). The Tigers thrive at the free-throw line (19.8 FTM/game, No. 2) and on steals (9.7/game, No. 4), paced by Caleb Grill (14.4 points, 1.68 steals), Mark Mitchell (14.07 points, 4.6 rebounds), and Anthony Robinson II (9.41 points, 3.52 assists, 2.07 steals). Their lone home loss this season came against Texas A&M (67-64), offering clues for Kentucky’s game plan.
What to Look For
Guard Play Without Robinson:
Kentucky’s backcourt depth is tested. Butler’s playmaking (1.572 assist/turnover ratio, No. 14) and Oweh’s scoring will be critical against Missouri’s aggressive defense (14.3 opp. turnovers/game, No. 29). Missouri’s Robinson II and Tony Perkins (8.14 points, 1.11 steals) could exploit any ball-handling woes.
Rebounding Battle:
Kentucky’s 25.9 defensive rebounds/game (No. 14) face Missouri’s 32.4% offensive rebound rate (No. 57). Williams and Andrew Carr (4.59 rebounds) must box out Josh Gray (5.07 rebounds) and Mitchell to limit second-chance points, a key factor in Missouri’s loss to Texas A&M (11 offensive rebounds).
Three-Point Shooting vs. Defense:
Both teams shoot 37.3% from three (Kentucky No. 30, Missouri No. 32), but Kentucky’s defense allows just 30.1% (No. 18) compared to Missouri’s 33.2% (No. 135). Brea’s outside threat could stretch Missouri, while Grill and Jacob Crews (5.41 points, 43.8% 3PT) test UK’s perimeter D.
Lessons from Missouri’s Loss to Texas A&M:
Texas A&M won 67-64 at Mizzou Arena, leveraging 38 points in the paint (Pharrel Payne: 20 points) and 18 second-chance points off 11 offensive rebounds (Henry Coleman III: 16 rebounds). Kentucky can emulate this by feeding Williams inside (56.5% 2PT, No. 28) and crashing the glass. Missouri shot just 39.6% and struggled from three (23.8%), areas UK’s defense (43.3% opp. FG, No. 125) can target.
Free-Throw Disparity:
Missouri’s 27.2 FTA/game (No. 3) dwarf Kentucky’s 21.3 (No. 70), and their 72.8% FT% (No. 158) edges UK’s 74.2% (No. 109). Keeping Missouri off the line—where Texas A&M limited them to 17-20—will be key, as UK’s defense allows 19.6 FTA (No. 208).
Key Matchups
Amari Williams vs. Josh Gray: Williams’ paint presence and blocking (1.27/game) challenge Gray’s rebounding and interior defense.
Lamont Butler vs. Anthony Robinson II: Butler’s steady hand meets Robinson’s steal-heavy aggression (2.07/game)
Otega Oweh vs. Caleb Grill: Oweh’s scoring faces Grill’s two-way tenacity.
Kentucky's superior rebounding and second-half scoring could wear down Missouri, but the Tigers’ steal-driven chaos and free-throw volume keep them dangerous; especially at home. If UK mimics Texas A&M’s paint dominance and rebounding edge while limiting turnovers, they can escape with a road win to cap SEC play.
Prediction: Kentucky 82, Missouri 78