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Why The Wildcats Are Built For A Deep March Madness Run 

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Kentucky guard Otega Oweh celebrated with team after big win.
Chet White | UK Athletics

This season has been filled with ups and downs for Head Coach Mark Pope and the Wildcats, one that has been filled with injuries, unnecessary upsets, and blood, sweat and tears.

Literally.

However, looking back on the season, this team competed when it mattered most. They went 8-3 in games against AP top 15 teams, tying the 78-79 Duke Blue Devils and the 92-93 Indiana Hoosiers for the most ever in a season.

Kentucky took down No. 6 Duke, No. 7 Gonzaga, No. 6 Florida, No. 14 Mississippi State, No. 11 Texas A&M, No. 8 Tennessee (again when the Volunteers were ranked No. 5), and No. 15 Missouri. 

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Although they will be without Jaxson Robinson, their second leading scorer with 13.0 points per game and the energetic Kerr Kriisa off of the bench, who’s fit perfectly for tournament play, the 21-10 Wildcats have continued to fight through adversity without these two. Lamont Butler, the team’s third leading scorer, has also been out a number of games. 

Look at the game on Jan. 28 when Kentucky went on the road against the rival Tennesee Volunteers. Kentucky was slated to get blown out on the road, coming in as +10.5 underdogs. 

However, with Butler and Kriisa both out, Koby Brea stepped up with 18 points and Robinson tacked on 17 points. The Wildcats left Knoxville with a shocking 78-73 upset win.

Since then, the Cats’ record may not necessarily indicate how good of a basketball team they are. They play in the best conference in basketball with the SEC, one that holds a plethora of the top teams in the nation and is head over heels above any other. 

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The Duke Blue Devils for example, are currently ranked No. 2 in the nation and have the best player in the country with Cooper Flagg. Yet, 13 total teams in the SEC have more ranked wins than Duke. 

That instantly screams “Kentucky has played against the best of the best all season long and are slated for March Madness.”

Heart has been displayed by this team over the season, but none more against the Oklahoma Sooners on the road on Feb. 26. Otega Oweh scored 18 straight points for the Wildcats, eventually hitting the game-winning shot. 

Again, that’s screaming March Madness. How many players in the country can go on that kind of personal run and carry their team? 

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Finally, I’ll add on the “why” factor to this Wildcat team. Simply, the narrative has to change. Since their championship run in 2012, Kentucky has failed to bring another one back to Lexington. Year in and year out, Head Coach John Calipari brought in the best talent in the nation, yet failed to tack on another national championship.

Now, with the Calipari era over and nightmares of Saint Peters’ Doug Edert and Oakland’s Jack Gohlke behind them, Big Blue Nation (BBN) turns to Pope to rewrite the history books. Since he held his 1996 championship trophy high in front of BBN during his introduction at Rupp Arena, his passion for this school and his impact have followed his actions during every game, every press conference and at any local event.

Pope cares, he is a Wildcat, and you can tell by his demeanor that he wants another ring on his finger, this time, as a coach.

Is Kentucky a championship team yet? Not by any means. Will it compete with any team on any given night? You can bet your top dollar. Will “blueeeeee, whiteeeee” chants echo with passionate fans no matter how far from home? I guarantee it. The 2024-25 Wildcats are not a team you want to see in March. 

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Men's Basketball

Otega Oweh Is “All In” On NBA Draft Process

While Otega Oweh is “all in” on the NBA Draft process, his ultimate fate at Kentucky still hangs in the balance.

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Otega Oweh is "all in" on the NBA Draft.
Chet White | UK Athletics

While Kentucky’s incoming roster of freshman, transfers, and returners may seem complete to many, a once crucial piece has been taken for granted by folks eager to get the season started: Otega Oweh.

One of the primary driver’s of much of last year’s success, Oweh found his footing as a source of energy for his teammates, and found the ball in his hands more often than not when the team desperately needed a bucket.

Now, he’s testing the NBA Draft waters, and, according to Oweh himself, he’s “all in.”

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A Pro Goal

“I have one more year of eligibility, but my goal is to play in the NBA,” he said. “So I’m not doing this process one foot in, one foot out.”

This potentially worrying tidbit came out of a segment with the Portland Trail Blazers media following a session with the team. Oweh was also asked about the rumor that he’d return to Kentucky if he wasn’t granted a first round selection in the draft, to which he said, “I wouldn’t say it’s completely false.”

“I believe I’m a first round guy, so I’m just gonna go through all these workouts, give it my all, then when it’s all said and done, I’ll see where I’m at and I’ll make that decision.”

“That decision” will mean a lot for Kentucky’s incoming roster whichever way it goes. If Oweh returns, the team will likely be in final, or near-final, form; barring any crazy shake-ups, we’d be looking at a finalized roster and rotation sooner rather than later.

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If he doesn’t? Well, it’d be hard to imagine that the team would be left as-is – a late foray into the transfer portal on Mark Pope’s part would almost be imminent. And he couldn’t land just any player; he’d be replacing a potential SEC player of the year favorite, given a return. The stakes are at an all-time high.

It doesn’t help that the wait isn’t close to being over, either. Oweh has until June 15 to make his final decision, assuming he doesn’t sign an agent before then. With the BBN at his back, Kentucky’s would-be senior star is facing down what may be the most important decision of his career thus far… and all fans can do in the meantime is hurry up and wait.

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Men's Basketball

Kentucky Commit Jasper Johnson Excels at Iverson Classic

Jasper Johnson showed out at the Iverson Classic, shining light on his own potential and bringing more excitement to the ‘Cats incoming class.

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Chet White | UK Athletics

Amidst the excitement of Kentucky’s exceptional incoming transfer class, many have forgotten about (arguably) Mark Pope’s most exciting freshman: Jasper Johnson.

While Johnson, ranked 18th among freshman by ESPN, is a Kentucky kid at heart, his recruitment was easily the most widespread and heavily contested of any of the first-year Wildcats on the 2025-26 team. For a while, he was heavily favored to land with Nate Oats in Alabama, before the Pope regime swooped in behind the scenes and, clearly, pulled every necessary string. He officially announced his commitment to the ‘Cats in September of last year.

Now, Johnson is traveling across the country for various all-star-level competitions leading up to his first year of collegiate play. The latest in that string came in the form of the Iverson Classic, put on and named by the NBA legend Allen Iverson – as he has been just about everywhere else, the Kentucky commit made a real splash.

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Walking Highlight Reel

In the game, which took place last weekend, Johnson tallied 17 points, five rebounds, and four assists, stuffing the stat sheet in an all-around performance with highlights across the board. In addition to a couple of effortless slams and automatic triples, a video of Iverson and Johnson meeting at mid-court prior to the match took off across Overtime Elite’s social media, followed by a portion of his tape.

Johnson is only just scratching the surface of his ability as a player and, given the high likelihood that he’ll come off the bench during his first season in Lexington, it only speaks to the team’s incredible depth and high ceiling.

However and whenever he plays, the freshman guard will surely make an immediate impact. With November and the beginning of the season still six months down the line, however, ‘Cats fans will have to rely on videos like the one above to hold them over before they get to see their own battling for the blue and white in Rupp Arena.

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Men's Basketball

Jayden Quaintance Speaks On Why He Chose Kentucky: “I felt like Kentucky was the perfect spot”

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Jayden Quaintance
UK Athletics

At just 17 years old, Jayden Quaintance has already made his presence known in the college basketball landscape.

After suffering an ACL injury toward the end of his freshman season at Arizona State, the 6-foot-10 forward is headed to Kentucky with something to prove.

“I felt like Kentucky was that perfect spot,” Quaintance said recently on the Aaron Torres Sports Podcast. “I feel like I have a lot more confidence, you know, knowing where my baseline is. It’s really only up from here.”

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Despite the setback, he confirmed he expects to be on the floor when the Wildcats tip off their season against Louisville on Nov. 11.

Quaintance’s decision to commit to Kentucky — not once, but twice — has been one of the more compelling storylines of the Wildcats’ offseason.

Originally part of John Calipari’s final recruiting class in Lexington, the North Carolina native entered the transfer portal following Calipari’s departure, only to return under new head coach Mark Pope, who made clear that he saw Quaintance as more than just a traditional big man.

“It felt like they really wanted me here,” Quaintance said of Pope and his staff. “The sales pitch was kind of more getting to show off what I could do a little bit more offensively, you know, have a real chance to win next year. I feel like that was also a big part of it.”

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That promise of versatility has been central to Quaintance’s decision-making. Known in high school for his rim protection and physical tools, he’s eager to prove there’s much more to his game.

“I feel like I didn’t really scratch the surface of all that I can do,” he said of his time at Arizona State. “I didn’t feel like I got to show off how good I am as a passer, how good I am in transition, how good I am actually handling the ball.”

Now in Lexington, Quaintance joins a retooled Kentucky roster with a fresh identity and plenty of opportunity. His youth may stand out on paper, but his approach and awareness suggest a player far beyond his years — and NBA scouts have taken notice.

Quaintance remains a projected top-five pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. His combination of size, mobility and upside fits the modern pro game, and his age only adds to his appeal.

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With a projected full return by September and a system ready to showcase his complete skill set, Quaintance’s next chapter is taking shape in the Bluegrass.

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