Jaxson Robinson Leads Wildcats to 98-67 Win Over Minnesota State in Exhibition Matchup

By Jamie H. Vaught

Jaxson Robinson, who played two years for new UK coach Mark Pope at Brigham Young, showed flashes of greatness as he helped the Wildcats to an easy 98-67 victory over defending Division II national champion Minnesota State Mankato Tuesday night at Rupp Arena.

Jaxson Robinson of Kentucky (Photo by Jamie H. Vaught)

A preseason All-SEC shoice, the 6-foot-6 Robinson took the game's scoring honors as he poured in eight of 12 three-pointers for 24 points. He also grabbed a team-high six rebounds in 24 minutes of action.

Robinson was named the Big 12 Conference Sixth Man of the Year last season.

Kentucky also had three players scoring in double figures. Otega Oweh, a 6-foot-6 guard, hit seven of eight shots for 15 points (along with six assists and three steals). Andrew Carr and Brandon Garrison added 14 and 12 points, respectively.

UK playmaker and defensive specialist Lamont Butler, who played four years at San Diego State, including last season's Final Four, had six points, five assists and three steals in 21 minutes of action.

The Wildcats, who had 32 assists (with only five turnovers) against Kentucky Wesleyan in last week's exhibition contest, handed out 28 assists while committing only eight turnovers. Kentucky also had 15 steals.

Kentucky’s margin of victory in the two exhibition matchups was an average of 51 points. That’s the most since an average margin of 75 points in the exhibition wins prior to the 2016-17 season.

UK opens regular season action on Monday, hosting Wright State at Rupp Arena. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET and ESPNU will televise the contest.