No. 9 Kentucky is off to a strong start this season and looks to keep the momentum going on Tuesday when they host Lipscomb at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky. Kentucky (3-0) just pulled off a big win against then-ranked No. 6 Duke, beating them 77-72. This marked a significant victory in head coach Mark Pope’s time with the team.

Andrew Carr was the standout for Kentucky, scoring 17 points with an efficient 5-of-8 shooting performance. Otega Oweh also played a key role, adding 15 points and making crucial plays down the stretch, including a clutch steal and free throws that helped seal the win. Oweh, a 6-foot-4 junior guard, transferred to Kentucky after playing two seasons at Oklahoma and is embracing his role on one of college basketball’s most storied programs.

“Wearing Kentucky on your chest means you’re playing for more than just yourself. You’re representing a whole community and your teammates,” Oweh shared. “It’s a dream come true to play for Kentucky, and it makes us all want to push harder.”

On the other side, Lipscomb comes into the game with a 2-3 record. They have wins over Duquesne and Wofford, but are coming off a tough 66-61 road loss to Western Kentucky. The Bisons were outscored by six in the second half of that game. Despite the loss, Lipscomb head coach Lennie Acuff is optimistic about his team’s growth.

“We’ve had some challenging games, but they’ll make us better,” Acuff said. “Playing at Rupp Arena against Kentucky, especially after they just beat Duke, speaks for itself. We’re ready for what’s ahead.”

Lipscomb has already faced tough competition this season, including Arkansas in early November, where they lost 76-60. They also suffered a heartbreaking 80-79 loss to Belmont, blowing a 12-point lead late in the game after Belmont went on a 19-6 run to finish.

For Kentucky, Otega Oweh and Koby Brea are leading the team in scoring, both averaging 15.3 points per game. Brea has been especially sharp, shooting an impressive 70.8% from the field, one of the best marks among Division I guards this season. He put up 18 points in their season opener against Wright State and followed that up with 20 points in their second game against Bucknell.

Amari Williams is also making an impact, averaging a double-double with 11.7 points and 11.7 rebounds per game. He grabbed a season-high 14 rebounds in their win over Bucknell.

Lipscomb’s top player is Jacob Ognacevic, who made the All-ASUN first team in 2022-23 but missed last season due to injury. He’s back strong this year, averaging 20.6 points and eight rebounds per game, including a massive 30-point performance in their season-opening win against Duquesne.

This game promises to be an exciting matchup as Kentucky looks to stay unbeaten and Lipscomb tries to take down a powerhouse on their home court.