When the schedule dropped for the 2024-25 season, the matchup between Bucknell Bison men's basketball vs Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball looked like a classic "buy game" on paper. You know the drill. A mid-major powerhouse from the Patriot League travels to the cathedral of college hoops, Rupp Arena, takes their check, and tries to keep the score respectable. But honestly, if you actually watched that November 9, 2024, game, it wasn't just another blowout. It was a stylistic clash that revealed exactly what Mark Pope’s new-look Kentucky was going to be, and it showed that Bucknell, despite the score, had some serious individual talent that could hang in the high-major world.
Kentucky walked away with a 100-72 victory.
On the surface, a 28-point margin feels like a routine Saturday night in Lexington. But look closer. This was the first time in 46 years—since the 1978-79 season—that the Wildcats hit the century mark in their first two games of the year. For a program coming off the late-era John Calipari years, which were often defined by "the process" and occasionally sluggish offensive starts, this was a massive statement.
The Night the 3-Ball Took Over Rupp Arena
Kentucky’s offense under Mark Pope is basically a math problem that most opponents aren't equipped to solve. They want to shoot 35 or more threes a game. They want to move the ball so fast the defense's internal clock short-circuits. In this specific meeting, Koby Brea was the human torch. He dropped 20 points, going 6-of-8 from deep. If you’re a Bucknell fan, watching a guy shoot 75% from behind the arc is just demoralizing.
But Bucknell didn't just lay down. Josh Bascoe, their senior guard, came out swinging and actually hit a three early to give the Bison a 3-1 lead. For a fleeting moment, there was a hush in Rupp. That didn't last long, obviously. Kentucky responded with a 9-0 run, fueled by Jaxson Robinson, and never really looked back.
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Why the Noah Williamson Matchup Mattered
If you follow Patriot League hoops, you know Noah Williamson is a problem. The 7-foot center from Latvia entered that game coming off a monster 32-point performance. Most people expected him to give Kentucky's frontcourt a real test.
Instead, Amari Williams and Brandon Garrison put on a defensive clinic. They held Williamson to just 7 points on 3-of-12 shooting. This is the nuance people miss: Kentucky won this game because of their defense and rebounding, not just the flashy threes. They outrebounded Bucknell 57-35. You aren't winning many games when you give up 22 offensive rebounds. It's just impossible.
Bucknell Bison Men's Basketball vs Kentucky Wildcats Men's Basketball: A Tale of Two Systems
To understand why this game went the way it did, you have to look at the rosters.
Bucknell's starting five:
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- Noah Williamson (Center, 7-0)
- Josh Bascoe (Guard, 6-0)
- Ian Motta (Forward, 6-6)
- Ruot Bijiek (Forward, 6-9)
- Achile Spadone (Guard, 6-4)
Kentucky's starting five:
- Amari Williams (Forward, 7-0)
- Andrew Carr (Forward, 6-11)
- Jaxson Robinson (Guard, 6-6)
- Otega Oweh (Guard, 6-4)
- Lamont Butler (Guard, 6-2)
The height parity was there. Bucknell has length. But the "read-based" offense Mark Pope runs is a different beast. Kentucky finished with an assist rate of 60.5% in this game. They weren't just running plays; they were manipulating the Bison defense in real-time.
Breaking Down the Second Half Surge
Bucknell actually played a fairly competitive second half, scoring 41 points compared to Kentucky's 53. They tried to speed the game up, which is usually a death sentence against the Wildcats. Ian Motta and Josh Bascoe kept driving the lane, and for a small stretch, they cut the lead to 14.
Then Koby Brea checked back in.
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He hit a triple at the 17-minute mark, and the lead ballooned back to 17. The air just left the balloon for the Bison. Kentucky reached 70 points with over 11 minutes left to play. At that point, it was just a matter of whether the Cats would hit 100. Brandon Garrison finally sank two free throws with 23 seconds left to seal the century mark.
Beyond the Box Score: What We Learned
There are some misconceptions about this matchup that still float around.
- "Bucknell was just a cupcake." Honestly, no. Bucknell finished their season 18-15 and was a top team in the Patriot League. They weren't a bad team; they just ran into a Kentucky team that was playing at an elite, top-10 level efficiency.
- "Kentucky only wins because they shoot better." This is the one that kills me. Kentucky won because they were more physical. 22 offensive rebounds? That's about "want-to" and positioning.
- "The game was over at halftime." While Kentucky led 47-31, Bucknell had a few runs where they looked like they might pull within single digits. The difference was Kentucky's depth. When the starters got tired, Kerr Kriisa came off the bench and started slinging assists like a prime Rondo. He ended with 12 assists.
What This Means for Future Matchups
If these two teams meet again, the blueprint for Bucknell has to be slowing the pace to a crawl. You cannot out-possession this Kentucky team. They are too deep and too efficient. For Kentucky, the "Bucknell game" became the gold standard for how they handle mid-major opponents: dominate the glass, share the ball, and let the 3-point shooters fly.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you are looking to bet on or analyze future games involving these two programs, keep these factors in mind:
- Watch the Offensive Rebound Percentage: For Kentucky, this is the "secret sauce." When they are crashing the glass with Amari Williams and Andrew Carr, they are nearly unbeatable.
- The "Second Year" Jump: Mark Pope has noted that his players usually take a massive leap in year two of his system. If you see these same Kentucky names in 2025-26, expect even higher efficiency.
- Bucknell's Guard Play: Josh Bascoe is the engine. When he's under pressure, the Bison offense stalls. To beat high-major teams, they need a secondary ball-handler to step up.
- Pace of Play: Kentucky wants 75+ possessions. If an opponent can keep that number under 65, they have a puncher's chance.
Next time you see Bucknell Bison men's basketball vs Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball on a ticker, don't just look at the final score. Look at the assist totals and the rebounding margin. That’s where the real story lives.
To stay ahead of the curve, you should track the "Defensive Impact Metric" (DIM) for Kentucky's guards, as Mark Pope has recently highlighted this as a key internal stat for his rotations. Additionally, keep an eye on Noah Williamson's draft stock; despite the tough night in Lexington, his size and shooting touch remain elite for the mid-major level.