Wildcats dominate: Kentucky fires past Wesleyan; MVP and stats from the first action of the new season

The Kentucky Wildcats kicked off their basketball season in style tonight at Rupp Arena, delivering a commanding 123-52 victory over Kentucky Wesleyan in their opening exhibition. The Wildcats put on a clinic on both ends of the floor, showing off depth and a high-octane offense.

MVP: Lamont Butler

Lamont Butler, the game's standout performer, set the tone for Kentucky with an all-around performance that showcased his versatility and leadership. Butler finished with 11 points on an efficient 5-of-8 shooting, adding 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 6 steals. Great start for the new PG1 at UK.

Offensive Firepower

The Wildcats were firing on all cylinders offensively all night long, shooting 63% from the field and an eye-popping 50% from beyond the arc on 42 attempts (YES, 42). Kentucky's offense wasn't just high-powered; it was balanced, with eight players scoring in double figures.

The Wildcats' leading scorer was Jaxon Robinson, who scored 19 points, and Otega Oweh contributed 18 points. The team’s ability to spread the ball and find open looks made it nearly impossible to defend.

Team Depth

Beyond the top scorers, Kentucky displayed remarkable depth, with contributions coming from every position. Ansley Almonor added 15 points, Koby Brea had 13, Amari Williams had 12, and Andrew Carr had 10. Collin Chandler finished the game with 6, Travis Perry had 5, and Brandon Garrison had 2. Walker Horn got in the game late but attempted no shots, and the team was without backup point guard Ker Krissa, who is nursing a hamstring injury and missed the game as a precaution.

The Wildcats’ Trent Noah caught fire late in the second half, draining four straight three-pointers to tally 12 points, putting an exclamation point on the game, and sending Rupp fans home happy.

Defense and Fast Break Fuel the Blowout

Kentucky's defense was just as impressive as their offense, holding Wesleyan to 52 points. Butler’s defensive energy helped create fast-break opportunities and shut off Wesleyan backcuts all night long.

Building Momentum

This game was a perfect start for Mark Pope and Kentucky as they head into the second exhibition game next week.