Another non

Aug 12, 2023

Prior to transferring to Kentucky and becoming SEC Co-Sixth Man of the Year last season, Antonio Reeves spent three seasons at Illinois State, averaging over 20 points per game for the Redbirds as a junior in 2021-22.

Reeves then enrolled in classes at Illinois State this summer while mulling a transfer.

Now, he'll face his former team as the Redbirds are set to invade Rupp Arena for a non-conference matchup on Dec. 29, it was announced on Thursday when Illinois State revealed its 2023-24 schedule.

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The Wildcats have yet to officially announce its 2023-24 non-conference schedule, but there are currently nine reported games on next season's schedule: vs. New Mexico State (Nov. 6), Kansas at the United Center in Chicago for the Champions Classic (Nov. 14), vs. St. Joe's (Nov. 20), vs. Miami for the inaugural ACC-SEC Challenge (Nov. 28), vs. UNC-Wilmington (Dec. 2), the CBS Sports Classic vs. North Carolina, Ohio State, or UCLA (Dec. 16), at Louisville (Dec. 21), vs. Illinois State (Dec. 29), and vs. Gonzaga (TBA).

Kentucky leads the all-time series versus Illinois State 1-0, defeating the Redbirds 75-63 at Rupp Arena on Nov. 30, 2015.

Last season, Reeves ranked second on the team in scoring, averaging 14.4 points off the bench for the Wildcats, becoming just the sixth first-year player in program history to make 80 or more 3-pointers in a season while shooting 39.8% from beyond the arc on his way to capturing SEC Co-Sixth Man of the Year honors. Reeves made multiple 3s in 21 of 34 games, three of more 14 times, four or more 10 times, five or more four times, and six twice.

After struggling to get comfortable in his role early in the season, Reeves scored in double figures in 26 of 34 games, had 10 games of 20 points or more, including four of his last six. Most notably, he scored a career-high 37 points in a win at Arkansas in the regular season finale.

Reeves picked up right where he left off last season, taking home Most Valuable Player honors at the FIBA Globl Jam in Toronto last month.

The Kentucky fifth-year senior averaged 23.0 points per game while shooting 57.9% from the floor and making 18 of 32 three-pointers (56.3%) in helping lead the Wildcats to a perfect 4-0 record and the gold medal. Reeves scored at least 18 points and made three or more 3s in every game and UK was +45 while he was on the court.

UK suffered a total of eight offseason departures--four to the NBA Draft and four to the transfer portal--that cost the Wildcats 91.8% of its starts, 81.7% of its minutes, 76.1% of its points, 87.9% of its rebounds, and 90.4% of its assists from last season.

Despite playing eight newcomers, Kentucky looked especially potent offensively, averaging 91.7 points on 47.7% shooting from the floor, making 11 three-pointers per game while shooting 37.6% from beyond the arc, averaging 25.8 assists per game while assisting on 72.5% of its made baskets over four games.

The Wildcats also got stellar play from freshman forward Justin Edwards (14.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 steals), freshman guard DJ Wagner (17.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists), West Virginia grad transfer Tre Mitchell (14.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.0 blocks), and freshman guard Reed Sheppard (8.5 points, 5.8 assists, 2.5 rebounds, 2.3 steals, 1.7 blocks).

Earlier this week, Kentucky added a commitment from Croatian 7-footer Zvonimir Ivisic.