Kentucky finally gets Jaland Lowe back tonight for Game Two of the BBN United Tipoff Classic, presented by Kentucky Tourism. The Cats will face a Valparaiso squad that beat Eastern Illinois, Kentucky’s third opponent in the multi-team event, 66-63, earlier this week. The Beacons are in their third season under Roger Powell, a former Gonzaga assistant coach; in turn, Valpo runs a similar offense as the Bulldogs, so tonight could be a mini-preview of next month’s clash in Nashville.
This will be the third-ever meeting between Kentucky and Valparaiso, the first coming in the first round of the 2002 NCAA Tournament and the second nine years ago in Rupp Arena, an 87-63 Kentucky victory.