Tre Johnson’s clutch three in double overtime sealed Texas’ gritty 94-88 win over Texas A&M — but it also pushed Kentucky’s SEC opener into dangerous territory. Wildcat fans were already bracing for a tough tournament run, but now they’re facing a different challenge — a brutal 10:30 p.m. tip-off. Staying up late is one thing, but watching your team’s fate unfold past midnight? That’s a different kind of madness — and Kentucky fans aren’t happy about it.
According to Matt Jones, host of Kentucky Sports Radio and NFL Preview on ESPN Radio, “Missouri-Mississippi State will begin at 7:48 pm Eastern. That means UK-Oklahoma will start at 10:18 pm (at the earliest) Lateeeeeeee Night.”
Missouri-Mississippi State will begin at 7:48 pm Eastern
That means UK-Oklahoma will start at 10:18 pm (at the earliest)
Lateeeeeeee Night
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) March 13, 2025
A 9:30 p.m. tip-off was already tough, but now Kentucky’s tournament opener creeping toward 10:30 p.m. feels more like overtime before the game even starts. It’s no longer just about strategy — it’s about survival. Players face the brutal task of adjusting their game prep and recovery on the fly, knowing they’ll have less than 24 hours to bounce back if they win. For fans, it means burning the midnight oil, hoping their Wildcats can outlast both the Sooners and the clock.
Kentucky fans sound off as late-night tip-off sparks scheduling backlash
This has frustration mounting across the Kentucky fanbase. One fan vented, “Bball has had a scheduling problem all year. Need a researcher to determine how many games lasted the 2 hours TV allots.”
After Texas and Texas A&M’s double-overtime battle, Kentucky vs. Oklahoma is now set for a brutal 10:30 PM ET tip-off — an hour later than scheduled. And with teams battling to the wire, there’s no guarantee future games will stay within the 2-hour TV window.
Another fan pointed out, “SEC could have scheduled this better.” Yeah, they could have, but the problem isn’t over yet. If the Florida vs. Missouri-Mississippi State game at 7 p.m. on Friday runs long — which may as well— the Alabama vs. Kentucky-Oklahoma winner could once again face a 10:30 p.m. tip-off. That means fans might be pulling another late night, leading to some serious Monday morning blues.
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