NASHVILLE — Kentucky basketball faced Missouri only once during the regular season.
The Tigers got the better of the battle, as they rallied for a 73-68 victory at Rupp Arena on Jan. 7 after the Wildcats had taken an eight-point lead with 4:37 remaining.
UK and coach Mark Pope now have a chance for revenge: Their 87-82 victory over LSU on Wednesday punched Kentucky‘s ticket into the second round of the SEC Tournament, where Mizzou awaits.
What can Kentucky do the second time around to change the result?
Here are three keys for the Cats ahead of Thursday’s matchup, which tips off at 12:30 p.m. ET at Bridgestone Arena:
Find some help for Otega Oweh
Yes, senior guard Otega Oweh usually is UK’s top scoring option. But in the loss to Missouri, he almost was the only one.
Oweh scored a team-high 20 points against the Tigers; no other Wildcat managed more than nine.
Don’t bet against Collin Chandler filling that void.
He played just five minutes against Missouri, failing to score a single point. Since then, he’s had 10 outings of 10 points or more, highlighted by a personal-best 23 in a victory over Vanderbilt.
Denzel Aberdeen is another top candidate. A senior guard like Oweh, Aberdeen is averaging 13 points per game, second on the team behind Oweh’s 18.3.
Play better on the interior
Here are areas where Kentucky outscored Missouri two months ago:
- Second-chance points: 8-4
- Fast break points: 24-7
- Bench points: 23-12
Additionally, UK had one more 3-pointer (seven) than Missouri (six).
But the Tigers dominated closer to the basket. They had 40 points in the paint, 12 more than the Wildcats.
UK can’t afford to spot that many points to Missouri on the interior and expect a different outcome Thursday.
Find a way to lead heading into the locker room at halftime
Sounds simple enough, right? When a team is on the right side of the scoreboard after the opening 20 minutes, it’s usually a sign said team is playing well.
During Pope’s two-year tenure, however, owning an advantage at intermission hints at a near certainty the Wildcats will go on to win. Kentucky boasts a 35-2 record — a 94.6% win rate — under Pope when leading at halftime.
UK was 21-1 in that scenario last season. (Lone loss: Texas.)
And the Wildcats are 14-1 in that regard in 2025-26. (Only defeat: Auburn.)
So, should UK find itself with an edge on Mizzou following Thursday’s first half?
It’s not a guarantee Kentucky has sealed a spot in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals. But history has shown it’s a positive indicator.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky-Missouri SEC Tournament game, UK basketball keys to victory