Kentucky Upsets Calipari's Razorbacks 85-77; Noah has 9 points, 7 rebounds

By Jamie H. Vaught

KySportsStyle.com Magazine

Several days after Vanderbilt embarrassed a hapless Kentucky team 80-55 in Nashville, coach Mark Pope's Wildcats bounced back with a huge 85-77 victory over coach John Calipari and No. 15 Arkansas Razorbacks Saturday night before a rabid crowd of 19,200 at Bud Walton Arena.

Kentucky's Denzel Aberdeen goes up for a jumper against Arkansas Saturday night in Fayetteville. The senior guard from Orlando, Florida had 10 points, including 2 of 3 three-pointers. (UK Athletics Photo)

And the emotional Wildcats had to overcome four technical fouls called against them, including one very questionable call against UK junior Mouhamed Dioubate in the early second half, before winning their sixth game in the last seven matchups. Television replays showed Dioubate screaming at no one, not at a Arkansas player. ESPN broadcasters Dave Pasch and Fran Fraschilla also questioned the technical foul as well.

Kentucky improved its record to 15-7 overall and 6-3 in the SEC, while Arkansas dropped to 16-6, 6-3.

UK now has a record of 15-5 against its former coaches in school history. The Wildcats also are 2-0 this season with wins over both Rick Pitino of St. John's and Calipari.

With victories over No. 24 Tennessee and No. 15 Arkansas, this marks the first time in UK history that an unranked Kentucky team has won multiple true road games against ranked opponents in the SEC.

UK, whose biggest lead was 13 points in the first half, dominated on the boards, outrebounding Arkansas 35-26. In addition, the Cats shot well from the three-point line, gunning in 6 of 13 downtown jumpers. Arkansas was cold, making only 3 of 14 three-pointers.

Both teams struggled with free throw shooting as the Cats hit only 63 percent (19 of 30) from the line while the Razorbacks made 62 percent (16 of 26).

UK senior Otega Oweh, the team's leading scorer, took the game's scoring honors with 24 points, hitting 9 of 12 field goals. He also grabbed a team-high 8 rebounds. Oweh has scored in double figures in all 22 games this season.

Freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. led the Razorbacks with 22 points on 8 of 20 shooting.

Kentucky sophomore Trent Noah, a native of Harlan County, saw significant action against Arkansas as he played 19 minutes, hitting nine points, including 6 of 8 free throws. He also had a career-high seven rebounds.

UK returns to action on Wednesday, hosting Oklahoma at Rupp Arena. The 9 p.m. ET contest will be shown on ESPN2.

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Entering this weekend's action, Kentucky has played the 13th-toughest schedule in the nation this season and is projected to have the toughest remaining schedule in the country, according to KenPom. Also, according to NET, the Wildcats have played the 11th toughest schedule in the country through games played on Jan. 27.

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