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Ben Roberts

@benrobertshl.bsky.social

2.2K followers 71 following 780 posts

Kentucky men's basketball beat writer for the Lexington Herald-Leader and Kentucky.com. Beyond the Arc newsletter. Latest stories: https://www.kentucky.com/profile/218560050

www.kentucky.com

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Ben Roberts @benrobertshl.bsky.social · Jan 23

Heads up for those who are new here: We launched a free Kentucky basketball newsletter -- "Beyond the Arc" -- this season that features links to all of our stories, plus inside info, analysis & other insights into Mark Pope's team.

You can sign up (for free!) here: www.kentucky.com/newsletters?...

Reposted by Ben Roberts

Cameron Drummond @camdrummond.bsky.social · 6h

Kentucky basketball's offseason has been filled with on and off-court moments designed to bring UK closer to another national title.

One of those activities? Chess matches between Mark Pope and his players.

"(Basketball) is kind of like chess": ⬇️
www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

Chess matches have been key to this Kentucky basketball offseason. Here’s why

Kentucky basketball coach Mark Pope uses chess to bond with his players. But there’s also basketball benefits.

www.kentucky.com

Ben Roberts @benrobertshl.bsky.social · 1d

NEW: The AP Top 25 preseason rankings are out.

Kentucky will start the season in the top 10.

A closer look at the rankings, with the king of college basketball analytics projecting UK even higher going into 2025-26: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

UK basketball starts high in Top 25 rankings. Analytics see Final Four potential

A closer look at the Associated Press men’s Top 25 preseason rankings, which were posted Monday afternoon.

www.kentucky.com

Reposted by Ben Roberts

Cameron Drummond @camdrummond.bsky.social · 1d

Mark Pope's second Kentucky basketball team will feature the preseason SEC Player of the Year.

More on the preseason honors for Otega Oweh, Jaland Lowe and where media experts picked UK to finish in the 16-team SEC this season: ⬇️
www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

Mark Pope’s second UK team includes the preseason SEC Player of the Year

Kentucky basketball was also chosen to finish second in the SEC in the league’s preseason media vote.

www.kentucky.com

Reposted by Ben Roberts

Cameron Drummond @camdrummond.bsky.social · 1d

Mark Pope is still seeking his first major national recruit and his first class of 2026 commit at Kentucky.

But he's got some help as he pursues both.

Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno talk about recruiting high school stars to Kentucky: ⬇️
www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

These UK basketball players are trying to recruit high school stars to Kentucky

Jasper Johnson, Malachi Moreno talk about recruiting current high school stars to Kentucky basketball.

www.kentucky.com

Ben Roberts @benrobertshl.bsky.social · 2d

From last night: At his second Big Blue Madness as Kentucky's coach, Mark Pope looks toward the future while celebrating the program's past.

Wrapping up a night that featured John Wall, Tubby Smith, Trent Noah and more ... www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

Pope celebrates UK basketball’s past, teases future with latest Big Blue Madness

John Wall and Tubby Smith were among the guests at Big Blue Madness as Mark Pope’s second UK team begins a season with title aspirations.

www.kentucky.com

Ben Roberts @benrobertshl.bsky.social · 2d

Tonight's Big Blue Madness surprise: John Wall.

The Kentucky basketball great just recreated his 2009 dance to a thunderous ovation from the Rupp Arena crowd.

www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

UK basketball legend John Wall returns to Rupp for Mark Pope’s Big Blue Madness

The second Big Blue Madness of the Pope era featured the return of one of the most beloved players of the Calipari era.

www.kentucky.com

Ben Roberts @benrobertshl.bsky.social · 2d

Here’s the setup for Big Blue Madness.

6 p.m. on SEC Network+.

Reposted by Ben Roberts

Cameron Drummond @camdrummond.bsky.social · 4d

Big Blue Madness is just 1 day away.

These Kentucky basketball recruits will be visiting for it: ⬇️
www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

Which recruits are visiting Kentucky basketball for Big Blue Madness?

UK basketball’s annual season-tipoff event will also serve as a key recruiting opportunity.

www.kentucky.com

Reposted by Ben Roberts

Ben Roberts @benrobertshl.bsky.social · 5d

NEW: Five players that could make this UK basketball season a special one.

If a couple (or more) from this group can live up to realistic expectations in 2025-26, the result could be a new banner in Rupp Arena.

www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

These are the five players who could make this UK basketball season special

Mark Pope’s second Kentucky basketball roster appears to have a much higher ceiling than his first. Here are five Cats to keep an eye on.

www.kentucky.com

Ben Roberts @benrobertshl.bsky.social · 5d

NEW: Five players that could make this UK basketball season a special one.

If a couple (or more) from this group can live up to realistic expectations in 2025-26, the result could be a new banner in Rupp Arena.

www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

These are the five players who could make this UK basketball season special

Mark Pope’s second Kentucky basketball roster appears to have a much higher ceiling than his first. Here are five Cats to keep an eye on.

www.kentucky.com

Reposted by Ben Roberts

Ben Roberts @benrobertshl.bsky.social · 6d

NEW: Lots of insights from Kentucky basketball Pro Day.

Who stood out, what's the chatter from UK practice, updates on Jayden Quaintance and Otega Oweh and much more from tonight's session in front of 30+ NBA scouts.

Story: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

Kentucky basketball Pro Day: 10 things we learned from the Wildcats’ practice

A look at how each UK basketball player fared at the team’s Pro Day event, with injury updates on Jayden Quaintance and Otega Oweh.

www.kentucky.com

Ben Roberts @benrobertshl.bsky.social · 6d

NEW: Lots of insights from Kentucky basketball Pro Day.

Who stood out, what's the chatter from UK practice, updates on Jayden Quaintance and Otega Oweh and much more from tonight's session in front of 30+ NBA scouts.

Story: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

Kentucky basketball Pro Day: 10 things we learned from the Wildcats’ practice

A look at how each UK basketball player fared at the team’s Pro Day event, with injury updates on Jayden Quaintance and Otega Oweh.

www.kentucky.com

Ben Roberts @benrobertshl.bsky.social · 7d

NEW: The 2025-26 Kentucky basketball schedule is set.

Game times, TV channel info and confirmed dates for every game on the SEC and nonconference schedule.

Here you go: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

UK basketball game times and TV info have been finalized. Here’s how to watch

TV information and more specific game details are now available for the entire 2025-26 Kentucky men’s basketball schedule.

www.kentucky.com

Ben Roberts @benrobertshl.bsky.social · 7d

Andrija Jelavic is the mystery man of this UK basketball team.

A look at how the late arrival to Lexington is faring so far, with insight on playing for Pope, comments from his new teammates and dining advice from Big Z:

www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

The mystery man of this Kentucky basketball team is still figuring things out

Andrija Jelavic talks about his new life in Kentucky, learning from Mark Pope and Big Z’s advice. His teammates talk about his progress.

www.kentucky.com

Ben Roberts @benrobertshl.bsky.social · 8d

NEW: Kentucky basketball player Andrija Jelavic has been ruled eligible to play immediately by the NCAA, the Herald-Leader has been told.

Jelavic will begin his college career with 3 seasons of eligibility.

Here's the story on his situation: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

No NCAA drama for Andrija Jelavic. He’s eligible to play for Kentucky basketball

The NCAA has ruled that UK basketball newcomer Andrija Jelavic will be allowed to compete immediately. But he won’t be listed as a freshman.

www.kentucky.com

Reposted by Ben Roberts

Mark Story @markcstory.bsky.social · 11d

My column: Has Mark Pope found the 'sweet spot' in Kentucky's roster construction? www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-c...

Has Mark Pope found the ‘sweet spot’ in Kentucky’s roster construction?

Has the UK men’s basketball coach found the right balance in 2025-26 between veteran experience and youthful talent?

www.kentucky.com

Ben Roberts @benrobertshl.bsky.social · 12d

I sat down with Otega Oweh yesterday to talk about the 2025-26 Kentucky basketball season and his outlook for the Wildcats.

Biggest question for right now: when will UK's star player be recovered from his foot injury and back on the court?

He talks about it here: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

UK’s Otega Oweh has been out with an injury. Here’s when he’ll be back on the court

Kentucky’s top returning player talked to the Herald-Leader about his recent injury and early impressions of the 2025-26 roster.

www.kentucky.com

Ben Roberts @benrobertshl.bsky.social · 14d

Injuries derailed the last Kentucky basketball season. Can the Wildcats stay healthy through this one?

A closer look at UK's injury situation for 2025-26, with some insight from Jaland Lowe, who might be the guy UK needs to stay on the court the most this season: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

Injuries derailed the last UK basketball season. Can the Cats avoid a repeat?

Mark Pope’s first Kentucky team couldn’t stay healthy, and it cost the Cats in March. What’s the outlook for the 2025-26 season?

www.kentucky.com

Reposted by Ben Roberts

Cameron Drummond @camdrummond.bsky.social · 15d

After failing to land Kansas-bound Taylen Kinney, where does Kentucky basketball turn on the recruiting trail?

A fresh look at UK's efforts at recruiting guards in the 2026 class: ⬇️
www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

After missing on Taylen Kinney, which 2026 guards is UK basketball recruiting?

Kentucky basketball is still looking for its first class of 2026 commitment after Taylen Kinney chose Kansas.

www.kentucky.com

Ben Roberts @benrobertshl.bsky.social · 19d

One college basketball expert loves Kentucky's outlook for the 2025-26 season.

The other side of that? Some of UK's top rivals are looking to be in great shape, too.

Insight on Louisville, Florida, Tennessee and others as the 25-26 season nears: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

Kentucky basketball could be in for a special season. What about its top rivals?

A college basketball expert who likes Kentucky’s outlook for the 2025-26 season breaks down Louisville, Tennessee, Florida and others.

www.kentucky.com

Ben Roberts @benrobertshl.bsky.social · 20d

NEW: Big Blue Madness tickets will be available Friday.

Here's what's in store for this year's event, as well as the process for getting tickets. (It was also be on SEC Network+.)

www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

Big Blue Madness tickets will be available this week. Here’s how to get them

Big Blue Madness tickets will be distributed to Kentucky basketball fans Friday. The event is scheduled for Oct. 11 in Rupp Arena.

www.kentucky.com

Reposted by Ben Roberts

Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 22d

BREAKING: Auburn coach Bruce Pearl is retiring, a source tells CBS Sports. It's the second straight offseason CBB has had a high-profile preseason retirement (Tony Bennett at UVa in '24.) Pearl, 65, is coming off his second F4 w/ the Tigers. His son, Steven, will be named the full-time head coach.

Ben Roberts @benrobertshl.bsky.social · 22d

Kentucky basketball practice starts today.

Need a preview? I sat down with UK point guard Jaland Lowe, who talked about what he's seen from the Cats so far and what he thinks about this team with six weeks to go until the season opener.

Story: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

The new leader of UK basketball oozes confidence as preseason practice begins

Jaland Lowe, who’s expected to be UK’s starting point guard, talked to the Herald-Leader about what he’s seen from the Cats so far.

www.kentucky.com

Reposted by Ben Roberts

Cameron Drummond @camdrummond.bsky.social · 25d

Kentucky volleyball's comeback victory at Louisville last night was more than just a rivalry win.

It was a statement of intent from the Wildcats, who can realistically be viewed as national title contenders. ⬇️
www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

UK volleyball’s rivalry win over Louisville shows national title potential

Kentucky volleyball’s latest marquee win comes in a five-set thriller over archrival Louisville.

www.kentucky.com

Reposted by Ben Roberts

Ben Roberts @benrobertshl.bsky.social · 26d

It's been a Kentucky basketball offseason filled with hype.

But what are the worries about this UK team going into 2025-26?

A story on the biggest concerns for the Cats, who could have a banner season if they can answer these questions: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

This UK basketball team has plenty of hype. But what are the biggest worries?

Kentucky should enter the 2025-26 season as a top-10ish team with legitimate national title hopes. These are the biggest areas of concern.

www.kentucky.com