Overview
- Tip is 7 p.m. ET Friday at Rupp Arena, streaming on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app.
- After Tuesday's 96-88 loss at Louisville, Pope said Kentucky 'played extremely poorly' as the Cardinals forced 14 turnovers and led most of the way.
- Pope noted trying 'interesting new vibe lineups' in the second half at Louisville as he evaluates early-season rotations.
- Transfer guard Denzel Aberdeen posted career highs of 26 points and seven rebounds vs. Louisville and leads Kentucky at 16.0 points and 3.7 assists per game.
- Eastern Illinois is 1-2 under fifth-year coach Marty Simmons, with trips to No. 2 Purdue on Nov. 28 and No. 16 Iowa State on Dec. 14, and advanced metrics project a lopsided Kentucky win with win probabilities around 99% and 30-point margins.