Kentucky basketball: Mark Pope praises team after win over Western Kentucky
Kentucky basketball coach Mark Pope praised his team’s defensive effort after they defeated Western Kentucky 87-68 Tuesday at Rupp Arena
Sam Upshaw Jr.
LEXINGTON — It’s been nearly 20 years since Kentucky basketball last played Georgia State.
The most recent meeting between the Wildcats and Panthers was Dec. 6, 2005, at Philips Arena (now State Farm Arena) in Atlanta. UK had no problems downing Georgia State, cruising to a 73-46 win behind the tallest player in program history: 7-foot-3 center Shagari Alleyne scored a team-high 16 points in the win, which was the most he ever scored as a Wildcat.
The Wildcats and Panthers also squared off the season prior. That year, Kentucky used a 24-3 run in the second half to rout Georgia State, 77-59, at Rupp Arena on Nov. 26, 2004.
Those contests in back-to-back seasons are the only times the two programs have ever tangled.
That is, until tonight, when coach Mark Pope and No. 8 Kentucky host Georgia State. The Wildcats aim to improve to 7-0 on the season, Pope’s first guiding his alma mater.
Here’s what you need to know to follow today’s game from home:
UK and Georgia State are slated to tip off at 7 p.m. today at Rupp Arena.
Odds for the game were not available prior to publication. This section will be updated.
The contest between the Wildcats and Panthers will air on SEC Network. John Schriffen (play-by-play) and Richard Hendrix (analyst) will have the call.
Authenticated subscribers can access SEC Network via TV-connected devices or by going to WatchESPN.com, the WatchESPN app or ESPN+.
You also can stream SEC Network on Fubo, which offers a free trial.
Tom Leach (play-by-play) and Jack Givens (analyst) will have the UK radio network call on 840 AM in Louisville and both 630 AM and 98.1 FM in Lexington.
You can also listen online via UKAthletics.com.
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Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
