Kentucky Expecting Physical Rematch Against Missouri in SEC Tournament

The Wildcats look to avenge their regular season loss to the Tigers in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 10:18pm

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Kentucky will face Missouri in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals, looking to avenge their regular season loss to the Tigers. Both teams have undergone changes since their first matchup, and Kentucky expects a physical battle as they try to end Missouri's tournament run.

Why it matters

This rematch has major implications, as the winner will advance to face top-seeded Florida in the SEC Tournament semifinals. For Kentucky, it's a chance to get revenge after Missouri beat them at home earlier this season. For Missouri, a second win over Kentucky would be a major boost to their NCAA Tournament resume.

The details

Kentucky will be without two starters from the first matchup, while Missouri has made changes to its starting lineup. The Tigers have had an up-and-down SEC season, but believe they are more battle-tested and connected now. Kentucky, meanwhile, feels they've become more physical and aggressive since the first meeting.

  • Kentucky and Missouri first met on January 7, 2026 in Lexington, with Missouri winning 73-68.
  • The SEC Tournament quarterfinal rematch will take place on Thursday, March 11, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. in Nashville.

The players

Otega Oweh

A Kentucky guard who is looking forward to the chance to end Missouri's SEC Tournament run.

Colin Chandler

A Kentucky guard who expects a different game plan against Missouri compared to the first meeting.

T.O. Barrett

A Missouri guard who has become a crucial player for the Tigers since the first game against Kentucky.

Mark Pope

The head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats, who praised Missouri's size, physicality and skill.

Mouhamed Dioubate

A Kentucky forward who knows the Wildcats will need to be authoritative on defense against Missouri's physicality.

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What they’re saying

“We can send them home. They came to our home and beat us, so we just gotta get our 'get back.'”

— Otega Oweh, Kentucky guard

“We're much more battle-tested, connected. We've been through an entire SEC season now, so we're just growing in a lot of different ways”

— T.O. Barrett, Missouri guard

“We got more physical. I feel like some games, we let it go down, but we putting it back up.”

— Denzel Aberdeen, Kentucky guard

“Be ready for a fight.”

— T.O. Barrett, Missouri guard

What’s next

The winner of the Kentucky-Missouri quarterfinal matchup will advance to face top-seeded Florida in the SEC Tournament semifinals on Friday, March 13, 2026.

The takeaway

This rematch between Kentucky and Missouri in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals is a high-stakes affair, with both teams looking to prove they've improved since their first meeting and advance to the semifinals to take on the tournament's top seed, Florida.