Analysis

Kentucky avoids a basketball disaster on a bizarre night in Rupp Arena

Alex Wilkins' late 3-pointer saved the Wildcats from an unthinkable loss. By one metric, the victory over Northern Arizona was UK's "worst" win in years.

Ben Roberts Nov 14, 2026

Kentucky avoids a basketball disaster on a bizarre night in Rupp Arena — Alex Wilkins had 14 points and four assists (and hit the game-winning 3-pointer) in Kentucky's 78-77 victory over Northern Arizona on Friday night. Photo credit: Inside Kentucky Basketball

Nothing that Kentucky could have done on the basketball court Friday night would have made the situation around the start of this 2026-27 season any better.

But the Wildcats could have made things a whole lot worse.

And they very nearly did.

It took a stepback 3-pointer from Alex Wilkins with two seconds left on the clock — and some good fortune at the other end of the floor — for UK to escape with a 78-77 victory over Northern Arizona in front of a Rupp Arena crowd that showed its displeasure throughout the night but rallied to the home team’s defense when the Cats needed it the most.

For Mark Pope, the shot by Wilkins served as one major sigh of relief.

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