NASHVILLE — Kentucky basketball avoided the ignominy of another one-and-done showing in the Music City on Wednesday.
After leading 16-seed LSU by just three points at halftime, ninth-seeded UK hit its stride in the final 20 minutes, earning an 87-82 victory in the first round of the SEC Tournament at Bridgestone Arena
With the win, Kentucky (20-12) and coach Mark Pope move on to second round, where they will face 8-seed Missouri at 12:30 p.m. Thursday. LSU (15-17) is done for the season; it now faces a decision about the future of coach Matt McMahon, who has failed to make the NCAA Tournament in four seasons.
Here are three takeaways from the Wildcats‘ five-point win:
Brandon Garrison gives Kentucky a major boost off the bench. And from the perimeter.
Exactly what junior forward Brandon Garrison will give Kentucky game to game always is a mystery. There are occasions, such as this season’s game against Oklahoma, where he looks like one of the best players on the floor. There are other times when he disappears entirely — aside from picking up technical fouls.
Wednesday was one of Garrison’s better performances.
Not just at Kentucky.
But in his three-year college career, which began at Oklahoma State.
He stuffed the stat sheet Wednesday, tallying 17 points, five rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals in 26 minutes off the bench.
Yet it was what he showcased during a stretch midway through the second half that was most noteworthy on this day: He hit consecutive 3s, bringing the heavy pro-Kentucky crowd to its feet and earning arguably the most raucous reaction of the game.
It’s an area of his game that is continuing to develop. An area Pope repeatedly praised last season.
Yet he had only two 3s (in 14 attempts) during the 2025-26 campaign before Wednesday.
If his 2-for-3 effort from long range is less anomaly and more a sign of things to come?
It would be a boon for a team whose 3-point shooting has been — pardon the pun — hit or miss all season.
Kam Williams’ return a welcome sight for Wildcats
Prior to Wednesday, the last time Kam Williams took the floor for UK was Jan. 21. That night, he broke his foot. After undergoing surgery, Williams worked his way back to health. Wednesday was the culmination of those efforts.
At the 14:10 mark of the first half, he made his first appearance in a month and a half.
His final numbers aren’t astounding: Three points on 1-of-3 shooting (all were 3-point attempts) to go along with two rebounds, an assist and a steal in 17 minutes.
It would be foolhardy to believe Williams would be back to his old self after such a long layoff.
What’s far more important is the future.
He gives Kentucky another body to work into the rotation. He’s one of the team’s best shooters. And he brings energy and enthusiasm to the proceedings. Whether he’ll force his way into the lineup, as he had done prior to his injury, is unclear.
But the Wildcats don’t necessarily need him to be part of the starting five.
They just need him to remain available, providing what he can.
Victory a sigh of relief for UK, fan base. (And probably its coach, too.)
There is no overstating how poorly a loss Wednesday would have been received by Kentucky fans. Its supporters already are frustrated this season hasn’t lived up to expectations. The Wildcats’ passionate backers never expect to be playing on the opening day of the SEC Tournament.
There were moments Wednesday it looked as if the Tigers might pull the upset.
This is an LSU club that only had one win its its last nine games entering Wednesday. And the Tigers had just two victories since Jan. 18.
Lose to that squad?
The unrest among Kentucky fans with Pope’s handling of the team, and the program at large, would be more noticeable than ever.
But UK and its coach don’t have to worry about that now.
They survived. And advanced.
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 basketball SEC Tournament game vs LSU, UK vs Missouri up next