LEXINGTON — Kentucky basketball’s assist-to-turnover ratio has been exemplary through its two preseason exhibitions and 2024-25 opener.

The numbers:

The level of competition has to be considered, of course. The Wildcats’ exhibitions were against a pair of Division II clubs. And Wright State was picked to finish fifth in the 11-team Horizon League this season.

Even Kentucky coach Mark Pope acknowledged none of those opponents were “built around turning you over,” with Bucknell coming to town for a matchup this afternoon.

“Our guys have been really focused on protecting the ball,” Pope said. “We actually try not to talk about turnovers very much. We talk about protecting the ball. And more importantly with protecting the ball, we talk about how we do it.”

Those concepts, ones Pope and his staff emphasize each day, already have begun taking hold.

“The reason we will continue to do well in the turnover game is because our guys, they don’t play to not turn the ball over; they’re playing to win gaps right and to get to 2 feet, and they’re playing to make two-hand plays,” Pope said. “And I’ve been really proud of that.

“Actually, (the shots) our guys have turned down so far has probably been more special to us than what they’ve taken.”

Here’s what you need to know to follow along from home:

UK and Bucknell are slated to tip off at 4 p.m. today at Rupp Arena.

Betting odds: Kentucky is a 23 ½-point home favorite (-110) on DraftKings, which set the over-under at152 points. The money line odds areUK -10000, Bucknell +3000.

The contest between the Wildcats and Bison will not air on a traditional TV channel.

Instead, it will stream live on SEC Network+.

Authenticated subscribers to SEC Network+ can watch the contest on WatchESPN.com, the WatchESPN app or ESPN+.

Those without access to SEC Network+ can access coverage via a subscription to ESPN+. (To sign up for ESPN+, click here.)

Tom Leach (play-by-play) and Jack Givens (analyst) will have the UK radio network call on 840 AM in Louisville and both 630 AM and 98.1 FM in Lexington.

You can also listen online via UKAthletics.com.

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Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.