LEXINGTON — Vanderbilt‘s two leading scorers are starting guards Tyler Tanner and Duke Miles. Two other Commodores starters, Tyler Nickel and Devin McGlockton, also are averaging double-figure point totals.
But it’s AK Okereke, the lone starter who isn’t in that category who received the most praise from Kentucky basketball coach Mark Pope.
“He’s got unbelievable feet,” Pope said during a news conference Thursday of Okereke, a 6-foot-7, 245-pound forward from California. “He kind of takes the toughest defensive matchup every single game. He’s making shots. He’s a pretty good (isolation) decision maker. He’ll back you down, get to the free throw line.
“I think he has a huge impact on the team.”
Okereke had nine points, four rebounds and two blocks in Vandy’s decisive 80-55 win over UK on Jan. 27 in Nashville.
The Wildcats are up for revenge this afternoon at Rupp Arena, as the Commodores come to town ranked No. 21 in the USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll and 25th in the AP Top 25.
Kentucky (18-10, 9-6 SEC) snapped a three-game losing streak with a win at South Carolina on Tuesday. Vanderbilt (22-6, 9-6) dropped back-to-back outings to Missouri and Tennessee before beating Georgia at home earlier this week.
Here’s what to know about the Wildcats‘ clash with the Commodores today in Lexington:
UK and Vanderbilt are slated to tip off at 2 p.m. today at Rupp Arena.
Record: 18-10 (9-6 SEC)
Betting odds: Kentucky is a 1½-point favorite (+105) on DraftKings, which set the over/under at 155½ points (-110). The moneyline is Kentucky -115, Vanderbilt -105.
Kentucky 85, Vanderbilt 83: Everyone knows it’s hard to beat the same opponent twice in the same season. UK has a little extra incentive for this one, though: After last month’s win, the Commodores said, in no uncertain terms, they knew they could physically bully the Wildcats. Which, to Vanderbilt’s credit, it did: Not only did it flatten UK by 25 points, but the hosts also won the battle on the boards, 43-37. Kentucky’s players haven’t forgotten those comments, which were tantamount to labeling them “soft.” The Wildcats will bring a physical edge this afternoon — don’t be surprised if there are a few hard fouls and at least one technical (bet on Brandon Garrison being responsible for that). Emotions will be running high on both sides, as the clubs are competing not only for a win but also for positioning in the SEC standings, as each enters the matchup with a 9-6 record in conference competition. Playing at home, Kentucky will escape with a two-point victory.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
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