Basketball <\/p>\n
The Kentucky men\u2019s basketball team was in great spirits Friday despite getting eliminated from the NCAA Tournament.<\/p>\n
The Wildcats lost to the Tennessee Volunteers 78-65 in their Sweet 16 matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. Kentucky fell behind by as many as 19 points in the first half and never threatened to mount a comeback, trailing by double figures for the rest of the game.<\/p>\n
But despite the result, the vibes were high during Kentucky\u2019s postgame press conference. Seniors Lamont Butler, Andrew Carr, and Koby Brea all made it clear that Kentucky head coach Mark Pope had built a program worth playing for, and even transferring for.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe bar is going to be set high for the next people who come under Pope,\u201d Butler said. \u201cIt\u2019s going to be fun to watch, for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019re in the transfer portal, and you\u2019re looking for a spot to go, go to Kentucky,\u201d added Carr. \u201cI\u2019ll tell you that much. Go to Kentucky.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n\nLamont Butler and Andrew Carr had a message for future Kentucky Wildcats. <\/p>\n
“If you’re in the transfer portal, and you’re looking for a spot to go, go to Kentucky.” pic.twitter.com\/3q8g38JKit<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\u2014 Lee K. Howard \u2600\ufe0f (@HowardWKYT) March 29, 2025<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
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\nBrea also expressed how amazing the experience was in his lone year playing for Big Blue Nation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were all strangers when we first got here,\u201d Brea said<\/a>. \u201cWe didn\u2019t have a lot of time to bond and get to know each other, and make this possible, what we just did. We\u2019re all a big family now. BBN has been amazing. They\u2019ve made this dream a reality for me. Ever since I stepped on campus, everybody\u2019s greeted me with open arms.\u201d<\/p>\n
All three seniors started Friday\u2019s game alongside junior Otega Oweh and fellow senior Amari Williams, whom Kentucky fans will always remember for his lucky bowls of cereal<\/a> before the Wildcats\u2019 win over Illinois. All five of them and most of the 2024-25 team came from the transfer portal.<\/p>\n
In his first year as Kentucky\u2019s head coach, Pope had to revamp the entire roster<\/a> following the departure of John Calipari. Given the success Kentucky had under Pope and the glowing reviews from graduating players, the Wildcats may become a transfer portal hotspot once again.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports<\/a> and was syndicated with permission.<\/p>\n