The No. 23 Kentucky Wildcats emerged victorious in their regular season finale against the Arkansas Razorbacks, ending with a final score of 88-79. The Wildcats finished the season with a 21-10 overall record and a 12-6 record in Southeastern Conference (SEC) play, securing a double-bye in the upcoming SEC Tournament.
Kentucky led the overall series against Arkansas 34-14, snapping Arkansas’ three-game win streak against the Wildcats. The Wildcats also held a 10-8 lead in games played in Fayetteville.
Antonio Reeves led the Wildcats with a career-high 37 points, including a perfect 11-for-11 from the free throw line. Jacob Toppin contributed 21 points, while Oscar Tshiebwe had 12 points and 13 rebounds before fouling out. Adou Thiero had season highs with seven points, five rebounds, and two assists in a season-high 24 minutes of play.
Kentucky’s defense limited Arkansas to 35.7% shooting from the field and outrebounded them 41-35, leading to a 17-9 advantage in second-chance points. The Wildcats’ victory was also fueled by their efficient shooting, with a 53.7% field goal percentage and a season-high 26 made free throws in 33 attempts.
Kentucky will enter the SEC Tournament as the No. 3 seed, with a double-bye and their first game on Friday at 9 p.m. ET on the SEC Network. The Wildcats will face the winner of the No. 6 seed versus the winner of the No. 12/13 game.
With their victory over Arkansas, Kentucky has shown they are a force to be reckoned with heading into the SEC Tournament. Their strong defense and efficient shooting could be the key to making a deep run in the tournament and potentially securing a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
