Kentucky basketball

Kentucky's star ran into adversity after winning national player of the year, including an injury and new schemes to stop him.

I said, ‘God, I thought I was going to come back and have fun.’ (But) everybody he uses in the Bible, he lets them go through a lot of things so they can learn, they can have experience. [Vanderbilt](https://theathletic.com/college-basketball/team/vanderbilt-commodores-college-basketball/). [Auburn](https://theathletic.com/college-basketball/team/auburn-tigers-college-basketball/), Tshiebwe earned Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week. Then he had 12 and 9 just in the first half of the Razorbacks rematch Saturday, which the [Wildcats](https://theathletic.com/college-basketball/team/arizona-wildcats-college-basketball/) won without a point guard. That came after a miserable seven-point, seven-rebound performance in a blowout home loss to [Arkansas](https://theathletic.com/college-basketball/team/arkansas-razorbacks-college-basketball/) that looked like rock bottom for him and the Cats. But, like, he watched film for a couple of hours before the Auburn game just focusing on hand placement and hand activity, and the dude had three or four deflections that game.” [Kentucky](https://theathletic.com/college-basketball/team/kentucky-wildcats-college-basketball/) started the season 10-6. Tshiebwe was the first national player of the year to come back to college since North Carolina’s Tyler Hansbrough in 2008. But when everyone in the country was gunning for the guy with Naismith and Wooden trophies in his dorm room, “we knew it wasn’t going to be easy,” his agent, Nate Conley, says. He understood that was how it was going to be.” “A trophy for the school is going to be talked about forever.” Tshiebwe said he didn’t care about matching those gaudy stats from last season, when he was the only college player in three decades to average at least 17 points and 15 boards, and he insisted that only team success mattered after a stunning first-round NCAA Tournament loss to Saint Peter’s.

John Calipari and his Kentucky Wildcats finally take the floor at the SEC Tournament Friday, facing Vandy, in the last quarterfinal game of the day.

[Kentucky routed Vanderbilt](https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2023/01/25/kentucky-vs-vanderbilt-basketball-wildcats-win-fourth-straight-in-sec/69775615007/), 69-53, at Memorial Gymnasium on Jan. [Wildcats](https://ukathletics.com/sports/mbball/schedule/) (21-10), ranked No. But [the Commodores' spoiled the Wildcats' Senior Night](https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2023/03/01/kentucky-basketball-upset-by-vanderbilt-on-senior-night-at-rupp-arena/69946812007/) earlier this month, stunning the hosts in the final seconds for a 68-66 victory at Rupp Arena. The game will be televised live on SEC Network. Friday in the last quarterfinal game of the day at [Bridgestone Arena](https://www.bridgestonearena.com/). [See the full SEC Tournament bracket](https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/2023/03/05/sec-tournament-bracket-game-times-how-to-watch-kentucky-basketball/69972258007/) UK will have two of its three injured guards in the lineup Friday: freshman [Cason Wallace](https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2022/05/31/kentucky-basketball-coach-predicts-cason-wallace-go-scorer/9941708002/) and senior [CJ Fredrick](https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2022/07/15/kentucky-basketball-c-j-fredrick-could-be-caliparis-best-shooter/10027735002/). [What to expect from new Kentucky quarterback Devin Leary](https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2023/02/10/kentucky-wildcats-football-big-expectations-for-new-qb-devin-leary/69855618007/) [How Ray Davis' unique path to Kentucky football prepared him to fight for starting RB job](https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2023/02/23/ray-davis-college-football-path-has-him-positioned-for-success-at-uk/69855622007/) [Kentucky basketball adds to NCAA Tournament resume with impressive win at Arkansas](https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2023/03/04/kentucky-vs-arkansas-wildcats-secure-another-key-ncaa-tournament-win/69946954007/) [Latest NCAA projections for Kentucky basketball with SEC Tournament underway](https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2023/03/07/kentuckys-ncaa-tournament-projections-as-2023-sec-tournament-begins/69947036007/)

Do you think Walt Disney World's new governing board, installed by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), will or will not enact measures that would drastically change ...

The No. 6 seed Vanderbilt Commodores (19-13, 11-7 SEC) are 7.5-point underdogs in their SEC Tournament matchup against the No. 3 seed Kentucky Wildcats.

Iowa State Big 12 Tournament Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 10, 2023](https://www.bleachernation.com/cbb-predictions/2023/03/10/kansas-vs-iowa-state-big-12-tournament-prediction-expert-picks-odds-stats-best-bets-friday-march-10-2023/) Rutgers Big Ten Tournament Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 10, 2023](https://www.bleachernation.com/cbb-predictions/2023/03/10/purdue-vs-rutgers-big-ten-tournament-prediction-expert-picks-odds-stats-best-bets-friday-march-10-2023/) [Kansas vs. Oregon Pac-12 Tournament Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 10, 2023](https://www.bleachernation.com/cbb-predictions/2023/03/10/ucla-vs-oregon-pac-12-tournament-prediction-expert-picks-odds-stats-best-bets-friday-march-10-2023/) [Toledo vs. Marquette Big East Tournament Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 10, 2023](https://www.bleachernation.com/cbb-predictions/2023/03/10/uconn-vs-marquette-big-east-tournament-prediction-expert-picks-odds-stats-best-bets-friday-march-10-2023/) [UCLA vs. Akron MAC Tournament Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 10, 2023](https://www.bleachernation.com/cbb-predictions/2023/03/10/kent-state-vs-akron-mac-tournament-prediction-expert-picks-odds-stats-best-bets-friday-march-10-2023/) [UConn vs. Jackson State SWAC Tournament Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 10, 2023](https://www.bleachernation.com/cbb-predictions/2023/03/10/grambling-vs-jackson-state-swac-tournament-prediction-expert-picks-odds-stats-best-bets-friday-march-10-2023/) [Kent State vs. UCF AAC Tournament Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 10, 2023](https://www.bleachernation.com/cbb-predictions/2023/03/10/memphis-vs-ucf-aac-tournament-prediction-expert-picks-odds-stats-best-bets-friday-march-10-2023/) [UAB vs. East Carolina AAC Tournament Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 10, 2023](https://www.bleachernation.com/cbb-predictions/2023/03/10/houston-vs-east-carolina-aac-tournament-prediction-expert-picks-odds-stats-best-bets-friday-march-10-2023/) [Memphis vs. Wichita State AAC Tournament Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 10, 2023](https://www.bleachernation.com/cbb-predictions/2023/03/10/tulane-vs-wichita-state-aac-tournament-prediction-expert-picks-odds-stats-best-bets-friday-march-10-2023/) [Houston vs. Xavier Big East Tournament Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 10, 2023](https://www.bleachernation.com/cbb-predictions/2023/03/10/creighton-vs-xavier-big-east-tournament-prediction-expert-picks-odds-stats-best-bets-friday-march-10-2023/) [Tulane vs. TCU Big 12 Tournament Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 10, 2023](https://www.bleachernation.com/cbb-predictions/2023/03/10/texas-vs-tcu-big-12-tournament-prediction-expert-picks-odds-stats-best-bets-friday-march-10-2023/) [Iona vs. Clemson ACC Tournament Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 10, 2023](https://www.bleachernation.com/cbb-predictions/2023/03/10/virginia-vs-clemson-acc-tournament-prediction-expert-picks-odds-stats-best-bets-friday-march-10-2023/) [Texas vs.

NASHVILLE – Kentucky may face better teams at the Southeastern Conference Tournament this weekend, but they'll not find one more desperate than Vanderbilt, ...

We just got to come out and battle and compete, and we’ll feel good about that if we come out and do those things. “We know QMB ( [Quentin Millora-Brown](//247sports.com/Player/Quentin-Millora-Brown-46035632)) and [Lee Dort](//247sports.com/Player/Lee-Dort-46083622) are dominant forces. “If we do that, we feel like we can beat anybody.” We were able to contain Reeves a little bit in our game, but we know what he's capable of.” We're confident against any team, so we're just going to go out there and play our game.” [Tyrin Lawrence](//247sports.com/Player/Tyrin-Lawrence-46081916) averages 12.2 points followed by [Jordan Wright](//247Sports.com/Player/Jordan-Wright-46048543) at 10.3, [Ezra Manjon](//247sports.com/Player/Ezra-Manjon-46055740) at 9.3 and [Myles Stute](//247sports.com/Player/Myles-Stute-46042436) at 8.8. “They got a talented team,” Stackhouse said. “Oscar (Tshiebwe) presents a load for us,” Stackhouse said. You got to come out and make plays, make shots, defend.” We kind of know some of what they're going to do. “Guys got to come out and perform. “We get the automatic bid if we win the tournament. We just want to go out and win this tournament.”

No. 23-ranked Kentucky won't be at full strength for its Southeastern Conference tournament opener on Friday night.

"They play at a high level and they're tough to play, but we feel we're tough, too." Vanderbilt beat Kentucky 68-66 on March 1 in the second-to-last game of the regular season as Wright made a tie-breaking jumper from the lane with 2.6 seconds remaining. The Commodores have won four games in a row and nine of 10. Jordan Wright had 15 points and 15 rebounds for the Commodores, who had lost to the Tigers 84-77 on Feb. "It's not just, 'I'm good to go Friday.' You've got to get on the floor at some point and we'll see." As for the Commodores, Tyrin Lawrence scored 22 points to lead Vanderbilt to a 77-68 victory over 14th-seeded LSU in a second-round game Thursday.

Visit ESPN for the game preview of the Vanderbilt Commodores vs. Kentucky Wildcats NCAAM basketball game on March 10, 2023.

College basketball odds, picks and predictions for Vanderbilt Commodores vs Kentucky Wildcats. NCAAB betting free pick and best bet analysis.

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Kentucky basketball will begin its quest for an SEC Tournament championship on Friday night, taking on the Vanderbilt Commodores in the quarterfinals.

The SEC quarterfinals are here. It's time to continue our college basketball odds series with a Vanderbilt-Kentucky prediction and pick.

I expect a much-better offensive outing from the Cats as they are looking to get back to the Semifinals of the SEC Tourney. Controlling the rounds will be a struggle, but that will be a key factor in this game as well. Kentucky ended the season as the 23rd-ranked team in the country. Vandy will need a massive offensive game once again if they want to take down the 3rd-best team in the conference. Tshiebwe finished with 20 boards in the last game against Vandy, so the Commodores must not let that happen again. They will now face the typical powerhouse of the conference but this Kentucky team isn’t as potent as they usually are.

The Kentucky Wildcats begin SEC Tournament play while looking for revenge against the Vanderbilt Commodores.

[Kentucky Wildcats](https://www.aseaofblue.com) take on the [Vanderbilt Commodores](https://www.anchorofgold.com) at 9:30 pm ET (estimated) In the [SEC Tournament](http://www.sbnation.com/sec-basketball-tournament) at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. [Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt in the SEC Tournament: Viewing info, what to watch for, odds, and predictions](https://www.aseaofblue.com/2023/3/9/23631731/kentucky-basketball-vanderbilt-sec-tournament-time-tv-online-stream-predictions) [What seed will the Kentucky Wildcats be in the NCAA Tournament?](https://www.aseaofblue.com/2023/3/9/23630580/kentucky-wildcats-basketball-seed-cats-ncaa-tournament-2023) [Positive injury news on Cason Wallace and CJ Fredrick](https://www.aseaofblue.com/2023/3/8/23630893/kentucky-wildcats-cason-wallace-sahvir-wheeler-injury-cj-fredrick-sec-news) [Bleav in Kentucky talks big win at Arkansas, SEC Tournament, and more](https://www.aseaofblue.com/2023/3/9/23632715/bleav-in-kentucky-arkansas-sec-tournament) [Where Kentucky players stand in ESPN’s latest NBA Mock Draft](https://www.aseaofblue.com/2023/3/10/23633122/nba-mock-draft-2023-kentucky-wildcats-espn-projection) [Kentucky up to a 5-seed in the latest ESPN Bracketology](https://www.aseaofblue.com/2023/3/8/23631501/ncaa-tournament-bracketology-joe-lunardi-kentucky-wildcats-selection-sunday) [Kentucky Wildcats Basketball in the 2023 SEC Tournament: Everything to know](https://www.aseaofblue.com/2023/3/5/23622652/kentucky-wildcats-basketball-2023-sec-tournament-games-times-tv-live-stream) [How to watch and follow Kentucky Basketball in the SEC Tournament](https://www.aseaofblue.com/2023/3/8/23629940/kentucky-basketball-sec-tournament-times-tv-channel-online-stream-radio) [Kentucky reaches out to Harvard transfer Chris Ledlum](https://www.aseaofblue.com/2023/3/8/23630870/chris-ledlum-uk-wildcats-basketball-recruiting-kentucky-news-harvard-transfer) You can watch the game on the SEC Network or stream it live at [WatchESPN](https://www.espn.com/watch/), [ESPN+](https://plus.espn.com/), SEC Network+, or the [ESPN app](http://www.espn.com/espn/apps/espn). [LSU](https://www.andthevalleyshook.com), and Kentucky opens the tournament with a revenge game against the Commodores. However, the Dores have to keep winning, or they won’t have a chance at the Big Dance.