Kentucky made two of its final 10 field goal attempts to end the game.
NEW YORK – November 18, 2025 – Bradley Charles
It wasn’t the greatest of nights for BBN. No. 12 Kentucky fell short 83-66 to No. 17 Michigan State in the State Farm Champions Classic. UK trailed by as many as 24 points, while also trailing for 34:19 of the game.
One glaring difference in the contest was 3-point shooting. Kentucky was 7-of-30 from 3-point range, while Michigan State was 11-of-22. UK was outrebounded 42-28. The Cats had 13 assists compared to 25 for the Spartans.
Four Wildcats scored in double figures as Otega Oweh led UK with 12 points off 4-of-12 shooting from the floor. Denzel Aberdeen, Collin Chandler, and Mouhamed Dioubate each had 10 points.
Malachi Moreno contributed nine points, while going 7-of-8 at the free-throw line. Jasper Johnson scored eight points, while Kam Williams tallied five and Brandon Garrison added two.
No Wildcat registered more than four rebounds or more than three assists. Chandler tallied a game-leading two blocks, while Aberdeen was tied for the most steals in the game with three.
Last week’s performance against then No. 12 Louisville to go with Tuesday’s matchup against No. 17 Michigan State, leaves BBN with a lot of questions. Ultimately, the Cats are going to have to start shooting better from 3-point range to reach their expectations.
UK is talented and theoretically has talented players who can return or be inserted into the lineup that are currently out with injuries, but it’s a situation of time will tell as to what this team is or becomes.
Hopefully, Mark Pope and the Cats are able to figure out what needs to be done to get things back to where they seemed to be when Kentucky defeated then No. 1 Purdue in an exhibition game 78-65.
The Cats are now 3-2 on the season, while Michigan State is 4-0. Up next for Kentucky is a home game against Loyola (Md.) on Friday, Nov. 21, at 7:00 p.m. That game will be shown on SECN+.