With the Sweet 16 loss to Tennessee still an open wound, two of UK’s seniors put their pain aside to urge any and all potential prospects in the transfer portal to come to Kentucky.

“Can I say something?” asked Lamont Butler as his final press conference as a ‘Cat came to a close, “I think it’s really cool we were able to set the culture for Pope’s first year… the bar is gonna be set high for the next people who come under Pope.”

“It’s gonna be fun to watch, for sure.”

Lamont Butler, in spite of his injuries, was the heart and soul of Mark Pope’s inaugural Kentucky roster all year long; a floor general on the court and a spirited leader off it.

Andrew Carr, his fellow senior, got his two cents in on the matter, too. “If you’re in the transfer portal and you’re looking for a spot to go, go to Kentucky,” he said, flexing the front of his jersey.”

“I’ll tell you that much. Go to Kentucky.”

For having only been in the blue and white for one season (less than a year), Butler, Carr, and the rest of this year’s senior class exhibit the same love for the name on the front of their jerseys as any of the decades-past alumni do.

Pope’s first class will be remembered for many things, mostly positive, but few stand out like their love for Lexington and the Big Blue Nation. A great omen for transfers and incoming players, undoubtedly, as well as a testament to the magic under the hardwood in Rupp Arena.

Truly a tradition like no other.

It’s been a rollercoaster week in the transfer portal for Kentucky. We have seen San Diego State Magoon Gwath change his mind at the last minute at stay with the Aztecs, and top target Yaxel Lendeborg commit to Michigan while remaining in the draft.

On Saturday morning, the Wildcats got their second commit of the portal season, Pitt transfer Jaland Lowe.

KY Insider reported on Thursday that the staff was recruiting other players with the prospect of playing with Lowe.

Lowe was a top 100 recruit out of high school, committing to Jeff Capel and the Panthers. After two successful seasons in Pittsburgh, Lowe is a 4-star, top-20 transfer prospect (EvanMiya). He becomes the highest ranked commit for the Cats thus far.

In Lowe’s sophomore campaign last season, he averaged 16.8 PPG, 5.5 APG, and 4.2 RPG. As a playmaker, there are not many better, with an assist percentage of 31.2 percent. Some might see his shooting slits of 37.6% FG and 26.6% 3P and worry. While they are not great, he had to carry a lot of the burden on offense, with a usage rate of 30%.

Lowe will come to Kentucky with two years of eligibility remaining and will join Kam Williams in the ‘Cats portal class thus far.

Scouting Report (Sports Illustrated)

He has natural lead skills as a game manager and passer, with the ability to be a primary point guard for an NBA team, even if it’s off the bench. He’s also a reliable 3-point and free throw shooter, boasting a smooth jumper with fluid mechanics and the ability to play off-ball. His overall offensive game needs to become more efficient during his sophomore season, but Lowe is a legitimate offensive engine as a combo guard. 

Although he’s not the biggest or strongest guard relative to his future peers at the NBA level, Lowe is crafty and has ways to combat that. He’s a smooth lefty who knows how to get to his spots and leverage any advantage he can create on the offensive end. His deep range as a shooter from beyond the arc extends the defense which allows him to create space for himself and teammates. 

On the defensive end, Lowe will need to show NBA scouts that he can play within a scheme and prove to be a good team defender. He lacks size, but has quick hands and can be pesky on the perimeter at times. That’s the side of the ball in which Lowe has the most to prove when it comes to draft stock. 

After a week of near radio silence following Kam Williams’ commitment to Kentucky, blue smoke is finally rising once more with an official crystal ball prediction being logged for a forward out of Robert Morris.

Now, that may not set the player’s allegiance in stone, as the BBN learned painstakingly just a few days ago, but few signs bode better for a player’s final decision than a crystal ball from a reputed insider.

This time, it came by way of On3’s Pete Nakos, who logged a prediction for Kentucky to land Alvaro Folgueiras. The 6’9″ sophomore forward nearly averaged a double-double this past season, posting an impressive 14/9/3 panel on 55%/41% shooting splits. He’s a high-level scorer who posted a career-high 35 against Northern Kentucky this season, a performance that undoubtedly caught the eye of power-five programs everywhere.

Folgueiras was also the recipient of the Horizon League Player of the Year award. Clearly, Mark Pope has a knack for recruiting guys with hardware.

As far as his fit at Kentucky goes, he’d presumably slot into the starting power forward slot in lieu of Andrew Carr. His stretch four capabilities and special offensive proficiency paint a fitting picture within the Pope offense, and with two years of eligibility remaining, he has the potential to be one of the most reliable cogs in the machine going forward.

That is, assuming he commits. ‘Cats fans will follow along closer than ever as the portal continues to push forward, losing names by the day. Folgueiras would be a fantastic addition for Pope and his staff, patching a crucial opening left by his first-year roster full of seniors.