Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats just played their final exhibition game before the season gets started on Tuesday against Manhattan. The Wildcats took on a UCF team, that was a ten seed last season in the NCAA Tournament.

Pope and the Wildcats were able to take down the Knights 90-76 in overtime, but it took a clutch shot from Alex Wilkins for the Wildcats to make it to overtime. Kentucky fans have been very frustrated about the way the Wildcats played in the win over the Knights. There were definitely some things that will have to be improved over the coming months for this team to make a run, but there were also some encouraging things we saw on the floor in the win over UCF.

Let's take a look at two reasons Big Blue Nation should be encouraged by the overtime win over UCF.

Two reasons Kentucky fans should be encouraged by Kentucky's win over UCF

Mason Williams continued to look like a star

Oct 28, 2026; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Mason Williams (4) passes the ball during the…