Kentucky
What to like and what needs to improve after Kentucky’s 2 exhibition games
The Kentucky Wildcats wrapped up their second and final exhibition game Tuesday night before shifting their focus towards the regular season opener against Wright State next Monday.
The Cats were pretty much held in check by the defending Division II National Champions, Minnesota State, for the first 15 or so minutes before an offensive surge that willed the Wildcats to a 21-3 run to end the first half.
Minnesota State presented to be a much more difficult matchup for the Wildcats than Kentucky Wesleyan was in the first exhibition game, but what we learned from Tuesday night is that once this team starts cooking offensively, as well as being locked in defensively, a 2-point Kentucky lead can turn into a 20-point Kentucky lead in a matter of seconds.
As we head into the regular season, there is a lot to like about this new-look Kentucky team, and there are also some things that will have to improve as the season goes on. What was there to like, and what needs to improve after the Wildcats’ two preseason performances?
What to Like
Otega Oweh
The Oklahoma transfer was, in my opinion, the most underrated addition to this year’s Wildcats squad, and through two exhibition games, Otega Oweh was massively impressive in those two outings. He scored the Wildcats’ first seven points Tuesday night and ended with 15 on the night. His ability to finish downhill and his intensity on the defensive end was put on display in both performances. Otega scored 33 total points through his first two exhibition games and shot 14/17 from the field combined. We all know how good Otega is in transition, but if his shot starts to fall more as the season goes on, the Wildcats will be even more dangerous offensively than they are now.
Lamont Butler
The former Aztec put on a defensive clinic in his first two exhibition performances, which included nine steals combined in those two outings. Guards from opposing teams will have their hands full throughout the season trying to get around the reigning Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year due to his steady disruptiveness on that side of the ball. When it’s all said and done, Butler could be up there with the likes of former Kentucky PGs such as Rajon Rondo, Tyler Ulis, Ashton Hagans, and Cason Wallace in terms of defensive-minded Kentucky point guards.
Jaxson Robinson
Before Robinson ended up taking his name out of the draft this past summer, we talked about how significant it would be to add him to this year’s Wildcat roster, and after these two exhibition performances, now you see why. Jaxson Robinson had a total of 43 points on 15/24 shooting in his first two games and was also a combined 13/21 from three. He went on a surge from three Tuesday night (8/12) and ended with 24 points. There was so much talk this offseason about when Kentucky needs a bucket in a crucial stretch of the game, who will be able to put this Wildcats squad over in those situations? I think Robinson has put those questions to rest as of now.
A prolific offense
This Wildcats squad showed how quickly they can put up points in their first two exhibition games. They shot 21/42 (50%) from 3 in their first matchup against Kentucky Wesleyan. Although they were held in check for the first 15 or so minutes in the first half of Tuesday night’s game, Kentucky’s 2-point lead went to 20 in just a matter of minutes. We know what this offense is capable of when they are able to make shots at a consistent rate.
Defensive intensity
Last year’s Kentucky team struggled on the defensive end all season, but that seems unlikely to continue because you already have seen the disruptiveness from the Wildcats on that end through the two exhibition outings. Yes, they are playing inferior opponents, but you have to like what you see from this squad on that end, considering you have a center in Amari Williams, who is a former and reigning two-time CAA Defensive Player of the Year, and a reigning Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year in Lamont Butler. If the offense can continue scoring at a high pace as well as being locked in on defense, all I have to say is look out!
What to Improve
Rebounding
Kentucky was in a dogfight in both games in the rebounding area. They were plus 12 against Kentucky Wesleyan but only plus two against Minnesota State. The thing that was worrisome through two exhibition games was the offensive rebounding. Kentucky lost the offensive rebounding battle in both matchups, which is worrisome. As the regular season sets to tip off next week, the Wildcats have to improve in that area because, going forward, you’re going to meet more teams that will be able to match up with your physicality, so that will need to be addressed.
Kentucky
UWM gets run off the floor in first half of 18-point loss to Northern Kentucky
Milwaukee coach Bart Lundy on state of mid-major college basketball
NIL and the transfer portal challenge mid-major basketball teams, Panthers coach Bart Lundy says, but things are tough all over.
That was rough.
An ugly first half from the Milwaukee Panthers led way to one of the most disheartening showings at home in recent memory Jan. 9, an 85-67 loss to the Northern Kentucky Norse.
Forward Kael Robinson poured in nine 3-pointers and a game-high 29 points as he and the Norse buried the Panthers with an onslaught of offense, especially early.
“We’ve got to have two things,” Panthers head coach Bart Lundy said. “We’ve got to make less mistakes and have more toughness.”
BOX SCORE: Northern Kentucky 85, UW-Milwaukee 67
No amount of positive moments from true freshmen Josh Dixon and Stevie Elam – they combined for 18 points in the second half and 30 on the night – could wash away the overall feeling of the night.
The Norse led by as many as 20 in the first half, which they ended with a 55-37 lead to ultimately handle the Panthers their worst home loss since coming up 36 points short against Northern Kentucky on Feb. 9, 2022.
Treacherous first half spells doom
The first 20 minutes may have been the worst half of the Lundy era.
Only once in the past four seasons were the Panthers outscored more in a half than the 18-point deficit they faced against the Norse – and that came on the road against the second-place finisher in the Horizon League. Their previous worst home loss under Lundy was a 13-point defeat to Longwood on Dec. 13, 2023.
Northern Kentucky had only four empty possessions in the first 11 minutes of the game, making six threes and grabbing six offensive rebounds. A putback dunk by x Dozier made it a 40-25 game and forced Lundy to use his second timeout of the game.
The Norse lead the nation in fastbreak points, averaging 18 per game and Milwaukee simply could not get back in transition, even after a made basket. The Norse had a whopping 20 points on the fastbreak in the first 20 minutes alone – and that doesn’t even include free throws courtesy of run-outs. Two of those transition trips to the foul line came in succession by Donovan Oday after made baskets for the Panthers, a rather inexcusable effort.
“A complete breakdown in our systems,” Lundy called it.
Oday had 16 points in the half – which wasn’t even a team-high as big man Kael Robinson had 17 and went 4 for 5 from three.
The Panthers went into the break down 18, but the largest lead was 20 on a Robinson triple to cap an 8-0 spurt across 59 seconds, forcing Lundy to take his third timeout.
The Norse finished with 11 offensive rebounds and generated 19 second-chance points. They scored on 23 of 34 possessions, averaging 1.618 points per possession.
“Give them all the credit,” Lundy said. “They were physical and tough and came up with every ball and outran us down the floor.”
Panthers slipping in Horizon
Milwaukee’s defense the rest of the way was solid – perhaps even good; Northern Kentucky shot 38.5% from the field percent as it scored 30 points in the final 20 minutes. It still wasn’t nearly enough to erase the disaster of the first half.
The Panthers now sit tied for sixth in the Horizon League having dropped three in a row after a 3-0 start.
Danilo Jovanovich exits game
Milwaukee’s active leading scorer Danilo Jovanovich played nearly 16 minutes in the first half, scoring only two points while appearing visibly hampered, but came out of the locker room in his warm-ups.
He continues to be bothered by a balky right shoulder, an injury that limited him to no contact in practice this week.
Jovanovich is day-to-day going forward, which could leave the Panthers without four projected senior starters at the beginning of the season: Jovanovich, Faizon Fields, John Lovelace and Seth Hubbard.
“I look down on that bench and I see all them dudes on crutches that are older and wish they were pretty available,” Lundy said. “…If you have Johnny Lovelace or Seth, that’s a whole different story. You’ve got length, athleticism, Faizon corrects a lot of things. What we have now on the floor, they’re talented but most of those guys have never seen Division-I basketball.”
(This story was updated to change or add a photo or video.)
Kentucky
Virginia woman arrested 30 years after newborn was found in a Kentucky landfill
More than three decades after a newborn’s remains were discovered in a Kentucky landfill, investigators say advances in forensic science have finally led to an arrest.
Jennifer Cummins of Fairfax County, Virginia, was taken into custody on January 6 in connection with the death of an infant known for decades only as “Baby Jane Doe,” Kentucky State Police announced this week.
The case dates to 1991, when a sanitation worker discovered the remains of a baby girl at the former Richmond Landfill in Madison County, near Eastern Kentucky University.
Despite early investigative efforts, authorities were unable to identify the baby or determine who was responsible, and the case eventually went cold.
Kentucky State Police detectives recently reopened the investigation using modern forensic tools and updated investigative techniques. With assistance from the State Medical Examiner, it was determined that the infant was born alive and healthy before being placed in a dumpster on the campus of Eastern Kentucky University.
The new information ultimately identified Cummins as a person of interest. In late 2025, the case was presented to a Madison County grand jury, which returned an indictment charging Cummins with murder.
“Even after decades of time that has passed, with the collaboration of new technologies, advancements, and persistence, we’ve been able to discover new leads in this case,” said Kentucky State Police Trooper Justin Kearney. “That’s why it’s so important for people to know these cases never go cold to us.”
Authorities have not released details about Cummins’ relationship to the child or the specific circumstances surrounding the infant’s death.
Kentucky State Police say the investigation remains active, and that investigators say they are still seeking the public’s help to resolve some unanswered questions.
Cummins is being held at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center while awaiting extradition to Kentucky.
Kentucky
Kentucky Transfer WR Hardley Gilmore IV Commits to Louisville
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Montavin Quisenberry isn’t the only former Kentucky wide receiver to switch out blue for red this offseason.
Hardley Gilmore IV announced Thursday that he has committed to the Louisville football program.
He’s the fifth Wildcat to transfer to the Cardinals in this cycle, following Quisenberry, who committed earlier in the day, cornerback D.J. Waller plus defensive ends Jerod Smith II and Jacob Smith.
Gilmore is also the 11th portal pickup for UofL in the last three days, and their 15th transfer commitment overall in this cycle, beginning to offset 23 portal defections that UofL has seen so far. The 14-day transfer window officially opened up this past Friday, and is the only opportunity for players to enter following the removal of the spring window.
Despite Kentucky’s instability at quarterback this past season, Gilmore put together a productive 2025 campaign. Playing in all 12 games while starting five, the 6-foot-1, 165-pound receiver caught 28 passes for 313 yards and a touchdown. His reception and yardage total was second on the team to Kendrick Law.
The Belle Glade, Fla. native got immediate playing time as a true freshman in 2024. Appearing in seven games, Gilmore was able to haul in six passes for 153 yards, including a 52-yard touchdown vs. Murray State.
While Gilmore has shown high end potential on the field, he comes with some off-the-field baggage from last offseason. Last January after opting to transfer to Nebraska following his true freshman season, he was charged with misdemeanor assault for allegedly punching someone in the face at a storage facility in Lexington. Then this past April, he was dismissed from the Huskers for unknown reasons, and wound up returning to Kentucky.
“Nothing outside the program, nothing criminal or anything like that,” Huskers head coach Matt Rhule said at the time regarding Gilmore’s dismissal. “Just won’t be with us anymore.”
Gilmore and Quisenberry are the first of likely multiple transfer pieces that Louisville will add to their wide receiver room. Between graduation and the portal, the Cardinals are losing six receivers – including Chris Bell & Caullin Lacy.
In their third season under head coach Jeff Brohm, Louisville went 9-4 overall, including a 4-4 mark in ACC play and a 27-22 win over Toledo in the Boca Raton Bowl. The Cardinals have won at least nine games in all three seasons under Brohm, doing so for the first time since 2012-14.
More Cardinals Stories
(Photo of Hardley Gilmore IV: Jordan Prather – Imagn Images)
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