The Cats scored 49 points in the second half.
LEXINGTON – November 4, 2025 – Bradley Charles
No. 9 Kentucky defeated Nicholls 77-51 at Rupp Arena on Tuesday night in the season-opener for each team. Collin Chandler led all scorers with a career-high 15 points, while going an impressive 4-of-7 from 3-PT range.
10 Facts to Know from Tuesday’s Game:
- It marked the first men’s basketball matchup between the two schools.
- Kentucky opened its 50th year at Rupp Arena. The Wildcats are now 46-4 in home openers at Rupp, which includes 17 wins in a row.
- UK’s all-time record in home openers is 107-16; and 102-21 overall in season openers.
- Kentucky held Nicholls to 51 points, which is the fewest points allowed in the Mark Pope era.
- UK is now 13-0 under head coach Mark Pope when holding the opponent under 70 points.
- Nicholls’ 15 points in the first half are the fewest for any UK opponent in one half since Abilene Christian registered 13 in the first half of an NCAA Tournament game in 2019.
- The 15 points allowed in the first half by UK is the fewest for an opponent in one half at Rupp Arena since Eastern Kentucky scored 14 on Dec. 7, 2014.
- Pope has won eight season openers in a row, which includes his final season at Utah Valley; all five openers at BYU; and now two at Kentucky.
- Collin Chandler’s impressive dunk with 5:12 remaining in the second half gave UK its largest lead of the game at 32 points; 72-40.
- In honor of the 50th season at Rupp Arena, UK legends Jack Givens and Rick Robey were recognized at halfcourt during a timeout early in the first half.
The Cats are now 1-0 on the season, while Nicholls is 0-1. Up next for No. 9 UK is a home game against Valparaiso on Friday, Nov. 7, at 7:00 p.m.