Mark Pope’s No. 15 Kentucky Wildcats face a tough test against the SEC-leading scorer, Tre Johnson, and the Texas Longhorns on Saturday. The Cats are coming off a big win over fifth-ranked Tennessee, but injuries to key players Jaxson Robinson and Lamont Butler have thrown a wrench into their plans.
With both players listed as uncertain for the game, Pope is relying on younger players like Trent Noah and Travis Perry to fill the gap. Noah had a career-high 11 points against Tennessee, while Perry notched eight points. The freshmen are expected to play a crucial role in the game, according to Pope.
“We’re relying heavily on them,” Pope said. “Those three guys, it’s just time for them to step up and be great.” The Wildcats will need their young players to shine if they’re to stop Johnson, who has impressed Pope with his talent and effort.
Kentucky has struggled with injuries this season, missing only seven games at full strength due to the absence of Jaxson Robinson and Kerr Kriisa. With another injury-prone player in Butler, the Cats will need to find a way to overcome their latest obstacle.
The game against Texas will be Kentucky’s 17th matchup against an AP-ranked team this season, setting a program record for most top-15 wins in the regular season. The Wildcats are 7-1 in those games, and Pope is confident that his team can continue its winning streak despite the injuries.
Source: https://ukathletics.com/news/2025/02/14/big-blue-preview-kentucky-at-texas-2