DISPATCH
Kentucky Opens Exhibition Season With 69-49 Victory Over Little Rock
Kentucky began its 2026-27 exhibition schedule Friday night with a 69-49 victory over Little Rock at Rupp Arena, welcoming former Wildcat Travis Ford back to Lexington as the Trojans’ head coach. Iowa State transfer Milan Momcilovic led the Wildcats with 16 points and seven rebounds, connecting on four three-pointers, while freshman Mason Williams contributed 10 points, three assists and three steals. Kentucky’s defense limited Little Rock to 31 percent shooting, although 19 turnovers and just 12 assists revealed areas requiring improvement before the regular season.
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Pope Offers Encouraging Update on Injured Kentucky Forward Kam Williams
Kentucky received encouraging medical news Friday when Mark Pope reported positive progress in forward Kam Williams’ recovery from a foot injury. Williams underwent a second, more extensive surgical procedure in July, but recent imaging showed encouraging healing, and he has resumed controlled running and jumping exercises. Pope expressed cautious optimism that Williams could return within several weeks to a month, although he is not expected to participate in Kentucky’s remaining preseason exhibitions against Texas Tech and UCF.
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Kentucky Mourns Cliff Hagan, One of Its Greatest Basketball Legends
The University of Kentucky officially announced Friday the death of Cliff Hagan, who passed away Thursday at age 94. A member of Adolph Rupp‘s 1951 national championship team and the undefeated 1953-54 Wildcats, Hagan later won an NBA championship with the St. Louis Hawks and became the first former Kentucky player inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1978. He returned to his alma mater as athletics director from 1975 through 1988, overseeing another national basketball championship in 1978 and establishing the pioneering Center for Academic and Tutorial Services in 1981.
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Five-Star Point Guard Reese Alston Nears College Decision Following Kentucky Visit
Five-star 2027 point guard Reese Alston of Houston’s Second Baptist School has completed his official college visits and is approaching a decision that could affect Kentucky’s future backcourt. Alston, the son of former NBA guard Rafer Alston, told the Houston Chronicle that he has finished visiting Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Tennessee and Wichita State, with trust and relationships playing central roles in his selection. Ranked No. 10 nationally in ESPN’s 2027 class, Alston hopes to announce his commitment before his high school season begins November 13.
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Kentucky Prepares for Texas Tech Following Opening Exhibition Victory
Kentucky’s next preseason test comes Friday, October 23, when the Wildcats host Texas Tech at Rupp Arena at 7 p.m. ET on SEC Network+. The Red Raiders will provide another opportunity to evaluate Kentucky’s reconstructed roster following Friday’s victory over Little Rock, in which the Wildcats shot 51.7 percent from the field after halftime and connected on eight second-half three-pointers. The matchup is the second of three scheduled exhibitions before Kentucky opens its regular season November 3.
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