The Kentucky Wildcats Basketball team seeks redemption against Vanderbilt Commodores.

Following a tough road loss to Texas, the Kentucky Wildcats return to Rupp Arena on Wednesday night for a crucial rematch against the Vanderbilt Commodores. Kentucky leads the all-time series 157-50, including an 86-16 record at home. However, the Wildcats dropped the first meeting in Nashville, 74-69, in a game where turnovers proved costly. Now, Kentucky looks to bounce back and avoid slipping further in the SEC standings.

First Meeting Recap: Turnovers Doom Kentucky

Back on January 25, Kentucky struggled to maintain possession, turning the ball over 17 times—leading to 14 points for Vanderbilt. Despite a strong offensive performance from Otega Oweh, who led Kentucky with 21 points, the Wildcats fell short. Ansley Almonor (12 points) and Jaxson Robinson (11 points) also contributed, but it wasn’t enough to overcome their miscues.

For Vanderbilt, Jason Edwards led the way with 18 points, while Devin McGlockton added 14. First-year Vanderbilt head coach Mark Byington improved to 1-0 against the Wildcats, while Kentucky’s Mark Pope remains winless in his two matchups against the Commodores, including a previous loss in the 2021 Diamond Head Classic.

Kentucky’s Keys to Victory

Ball Security: The biggest issue in the first meeting was Kentucky’s turnovers. Limiting unforced errors will be crucial if they want to flip the script.

Perimeter Shooting: Kentucky has not lived up to its preseason goal of 30+ three-point attempts per game, but this could be the time to let it fly. Vanderbilt allows opponents to shoot over 37% from deep, and in SEC play, that number rises to 41%—one of the worst marks in the nation.

Vanderbilt’s Opportunity for a Historic Sweep

Vanderbilt hasn’t swept Kentucky in the regular season since 2007, and no first-year Commodores coach has ever accomplished the feat. Mark Byington has a chance to change that. The Commodores are currently projected as a 10 or 11 seed in the NCAA Tournament but could solidify their resume with a road win at Rupp Arena.

Despite their success against Kentucky earlier this season, Vanderbilt has been struggling, losing four of their last five games. They nearly pulled off an upset against Tennessee last weekend, leading by as many as 16 points before falling 81-76.

Wildcats Facing Pressure in SEC Standings

Kentucky has lost five of their last eight games, sitting at .500 in SEC play. A loss to Vanderbilt would put them in danger of falling out of the top 10 in the conference standings, potentially forcing them into a Wednesday game in the SEC Tournament. Meanwhile, the Wildcats were projected as a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Bracket Preview Show on February 15, but another loss could impact their standing.

Otega Oweh continues to be Kentucky’s most reliable scorer, reaching double figures in every game this season. He leads the team with 16.0 PPG, making him one of just 11 players in Division I to maintain that streak. Amari Williams has also been a force, ranking second in the SEC with eight double-doubles.

Final Thoughts

Wednesday’s rematch is pivotal for both Kentucky and Vanderbilt. The Wildcats need a win to stay in the SEC race and improve their NCAA Tournament seeding, while the Commodores are fighting to solidify their March Madness hopes. With a home-court advantage and a renewed focus on ball security, Kentucky will look to avenge their earlier loss and prevent Vanderbilt from making history.