OXFORD, Miss. — The Kentucky Wildcats faced off against the Ole Miss Rebels on February 4, 2025, at The Pavilion, where the Rebels emerged victorious with a final score of 98-84. The game marked another setback for the Wildcats, who have now lost four of their last five games, struggling to find their rhythm as they navigate this tumultuous season.
Both teams entered this SEC matchup with something to prove. The Wildcats, ranked 14th nationally, came sporting a 15-6 record but suffered recent defeats, including their last outing, a disappointing 89-79 loss to Arkansas. The Rebels, ranked 25th and holding a 16-6 record, were also on shaky ground, having dropped four of their last five, with their latest loss being against the dominant No. 1 Auburn.
Game time was set for 7 PM ET, and both teams brought their best players to the court, albeit with missing components. Kentucky was again without starting point guard Lamont Butler, nursing an injury, which shifted more responsibility onto the younger players, namely Travis Perry and Collin Chandler. For Ole Miss, Sean Pedulla was poised to make plays after recently scoring 29 points against Auburn.
From the start, it was evident Ole Miss had capitalized on their momentum from the previous matchups. The Rebels established their dominance early, leading 54-31 at halftime. They shot impressively, hitting 60.6% of their first-half shots, including 52.9% from three-point range, often leaving the Wildcats scrambling defensively.
Jaxson Robinson attempted to lead the charge for Kentucky, contributing 18 points, but it was Otega Oweh who managed to stand out, scoring 24 points throughout the game. Ole Miss utilized their offensive tempo expertly, as coach Chris Beard's players executed isolation plays effectively against Kentucky's fragile defense.
Head coach Mark Pope emphasized before the game the need for improved defensive efforts. "Defensively, we had to step it up; otherwise, they were going to blow us out," he said. Unfortunately for Kentucky fans, those deficiencies were apparent as Ole Miss consistently exploited driving lanes and mismatches.
Despite their struggles, the Wildcats did manage to mount a more spirited effort after halftime, scoring 53 points and showing flashes of what they could achieve offensively. Amari Williams even made history, recording the fourth triple-double in Kentucky Basketball history with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. His performance would have been notable had it not come during another frustrating loss.
Oklahoma transfer Otega Oweh expressed frustration after the game, remarking, "What are we missing? It’s not just one, two guys. It’s about every one of us playing our part well." While there was some fight shown, it simply wasn't enough to overcome the sizable deficit built by the Rebels.
On the other side, Ole Miss gleamed with confidence as multiple players contributed significantly to the scoreboard. Sean Pedulla and his cohorts took advantage, with Pedulla leading the way, sharing the spotlight with junior guard Jaylen Murray, who added his share of three-pointers, all aiding the Rebels' cause.
This victory solidifies Ole Miss's position within the SEC as they aim for NCAA Tournament contention. The Rebels now sport a 5-4 record within conference play, improving upon their recent failures and re-establishing themselves as formidable opponents. Drawing from their successes and correcting shortcomings, Ole Miss looks to build upon this momentum.
For Kentucky, the road to recovery will be steep. They now stand at 15-7, and their postseason ambitions appear increasingly precarious. Coach Pope will need to reassemble his team to rediscover its identity, especially with Butler's uncertain status moving forward. The Wildcats cannot afford another misstep if they are to remain contenders this season.
The final buzzer echoed with the Rebels prevailing 98-84, sending Kentucky back to the drawing board as they must prepare for their next opponent and continue to address their defensive vulnerabilities.