On Wednesday afternoon at Bridgestone Arena, the Kentucky Wildcats faced the LSU Tigers and came away with an 87-82 win. This sets up a rematch with the Missouri Tigers on Thursday.
The Wildcats clung to a one-point lead at 65-64. It looked like momentum was seemingly shifting toward LSU, then Brandon Garrison stepped up and took charge. The Oklahoma City product drilled back-to-back threes, pushing Kentucky’s lead to 71-64, and it never looked back for the rest of the game.
All season long, Garrison has struggled with consistency, often unable to sustain positive momentum. On this day, he played a pivotal role in the Wildcats’ win. A productive Garrison will be crucial down the stretch if they hope to advance further in the SEC tournament and make an impact in the NCAA tournament.
Garrison finished with 17 points, five rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and two steals. This win feels especially meaningful for Wildcat fans. With pressure mounting in Nashville, he stepped up and changed the course of the game.
Back after breaking his foot back in January, Kam Williams injected energy into the lineup and knocked down a three-pointer that gave the team a boost early in the game. He played 17 minutes, finishing with three points and two rebounds. A healthy Williams gives Kentucky another dimension, forcing opponents to focus on more than just their star players.
This season, Williams has been averaging 6.9 points per game, grabbing 2.1 rebounds, and hitting 34.8% of his shots from beyond the arc.
The Wildcats are set to take on a Missouri team that edged out Kentucky in their last meeting at Rupp Arena. It was a game the Wildcats appeared to control until the final five minutes, when things slipped away. On Thursday, they’ll look to turn the tables and earn a shot at the Florida Gators on Friday.
The Tigers also won in Rupp Arena for the first time in program history on January 7th, leaving a bad taste in the Wildcats’ mouths. Kentucky will be eager to buck that trend. The key to the game will be limiting the impact of Mark Mitchell, T.O. Barrett, and Trent Pierce. The Wildcats can keep a few of those players in check, they’ll have a strong opportunity to pull out the win.
In recent years, the SEC Tournament hasn’t been kind to the Wildcats. They failed to reach Saturday’s semifinals since 2022, falling to the Tennessee Volunteers. For Kentucky fans, it’s been a long wait to see their team make noise in Nashville again. This season offers another chance to change that narrative.
The Wildcats also haven’t won the SEC Tournament since 2018—a long drought for the program. The tournament means a great deal to the passionate fan base, many of whom travel from all over to watch Kentucky play. For most, it’s not just about basketball; it’s a chance to take a break from everyday life. With that support behind them, the Wildcats have an opportunity to make a memorable run.
Get it done.
Kentucky got the job done on Wednesday, but now it will face a tougher opponent in Missouri and will need to play its best to win. If the Wildcats advance, they will meet the Florida Gators—one of the hottest teams in the country—in the next round.
Buckle up.
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