The first half was anything but pretty, but Kentucky turned up the heat in the second half to pick up a season-opening dub.
On Tuesday in Rupp Arena, the No. 9 Wildcats (1-0) overcame a poor shooting start to eventually run away with a 77-51 win over the Nicholls Colonels in the first game of the 2025-26 season. While the defense was superb all-around, Kentucky shot just 32 percent in the opening half before responding to shoot 61 percent in the second half. Four ‘Cats finished in double-figures, led by 15 points from Collin Chandler.