Men's Basketball

Three Major Takeaways From Kentucky’s Blowout Win Over No. 1 Purdue

Published

2 weeks ago

October 25, 2025

Tristan Pharis | KY Insider

Rupp Arena was packed on Friday, Oct. 24, with two of the nations best colliding in a ranked matchup. An outsider would think surely that with all the parking spaces filled and the concession lines packed against the wall that this was a mid-season game.

“It’s just an exhibition game” was the sentenced repeated on social media after Kentucky’s 13-point win, and although it serves a true remark, it doesn’t define the full stands, the passionate fan base and the confidence-filled team that all witnessed make their debut.

What can we actually learn from an exhibition matchup? Is there true pressing details in scheme and analytics that can be drawn? To a degree, yes, but many aspects of basketball can visually tell the viewer what is to come in the future.

The Kentucky Freshmen are Extremely Confident and Skilled

Although the Wildcats’ 25-26 roster is loaded with experienced pieces, the incoming freshmen class featuring Jasper Johnson, Malachi Moreno and Braydon Hawthorne all displayed extreme confidence in their respective time on the court.

Sure, maybe the box score shows that Hawthorne didn’t necessarily do anything, but his role was extremely major in the four seconds he touched the court.

As the first half was winding down, Hawthorne checked into the game with 4.3 seconds remaining. Having not checked into the game, Mark Pope decided that the freshman’s length was necessary on the final defensive play of the half.

Hawthorne would tower his wingspan over star Purdue guard Braden Smith and would get the tip of the ball on the inbound, leading to a Moreno steal that would elevate a potential bucket. Although Moreno missed the layup, Hawthorne’s stature limited the Boilermakers from having any momentum heading into the half.

Pope had major praise for Hawthorne after the game, stating he’s the best man for the job in scenarios like that. “His length is ridiculous…it’s extremely difficult, in that situation he’s the best guy on our team by far.”

Since he mentioned his steal near the end of the half, Moreno’s game needs to discussed. Finishing the night with eights points, four rebounds and a block and a steal off of the bench is good by any standards, but doing it in his first collegiate game against another team is telling.

Moreno showed shades of being underdeveloped in his state tournament run; obviously he dominated the stat sheet and led Great Crossing to a championship, but at times he looked soft at times when he had to get physical in the trenches.

That wasn’t the case on Friday night at all. Moreno displayed elite footwork, ball tracking and wasn’t afraid to bump and bang down low.

After the game, Pope said he was blown away by Moreno’s development. “I saw the same player that you saw…he’s just made incredible progress…he’s got a chance to be, to grow into a really special player.”

Last, and certainly not least, Johnson tore the roof off of the entire arena with his 15-point performance. The hype became real the moment the star freshman touched the court, and it was quite apparent that Johnson had no idea what an adjustment period is.

Taking fading threes and showing off his handle, with shades of Rob Dillingham, the “oohs” and “ahs” became a repeated trend amongst Big Blue Nation.

It was clear that Johnson was the must-see attraction and he outdid his previous expectations. After the game, covered in towels and surrounded by his teammates, Johnson made a statement that reached national media.

“I ain’t gonna lie, I feel like we the best team in the country for sure.”

Is that a stretch? You be the judge, but I think most fans would agree.

The Depth of the Roster Is Apparent

Exhibition game or not, it’s tough playing without three of your players. Jaland Lowe (shoulder), Jayden Quaintance (knee surgery) and Reece Potter (illness) were all absent in Kentucky’s first action of the season, but that didn’t prove to matter.

Every single Wildcat that logged a minute in the game scored, got a rebound and tallied an assist. When playing 10 different guys throughout the game, having balance, team chemistry and depth matters so much to the game of college basketball

Denzel Aberdeen stepped up for Lowe’s absence, Brandon Garrison replaced Quaintance even though he knew that would happen and Trent Noah was plugged into the starting lineup.

Each played major roles in Kentucky’s win, and after a season plagued with injuries, the “next man up” state of mind is important to establish early on.

Kentucky Played Handicapped, Missing Star Players

As mentioned before, Lowe and Quaintance, as well as Potter didn’t suit up for the game and were forced to look on and watch their team blow by the No.1 team in the nation.

With reason, one has to imagine how much larger Kentucky would have made its deficit if they had played.

Lowe is a true point guard who can run an offense with ease and beat defenders downhill, which would benefit to the play style of last night, which read “find the open guy” and “make the right pass.” Likewise, Quaintance and Potter, both very capable of being double-double machines, would have paint position on the roll and would be able to get some easy dunks and layups to go.

Again, imagine that interchanged combo on the court with Otega Oweh, Johnson and Noah. Kentucky very well could’ve walked out of the game with 100 points on the scoreboard, or at least close to it.

Men's Basketball

Kentucky Players React To Kasean Pryor’s Expletive Comments

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2025

Kai McClelland

Brandon Scott Hanks | KY Insider

Fresh off of a win against Jackson State on Thursday, Nov. 6, sixth-year forward Kasean Pryor decided to shoot a couple of choice words in the rival Wildcats’ direction after his 6-point performance.

“We’ll see you guys Tuesday,” Pryor said to the media as he was leaving the press conference. “After a win…fu*k ‘em (Kentucky).”

With that, the talk is cheap claim is evident. Pryor represents the entire team’s feelings before their matchup with Kentucky on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Kentucky’s players, when asked about the comments made, pushed the agenda in a direction of “we’ll see you Tuesday.”

Malachi Moreno, who had just tallied his first double-double of his collegiate career, chose to be mature when talking about the rivalry he’s watched closely since he was a little kid.

“We don’t pay attention to outside noise,” said Moreno. “I’m a Kentucky boy but I live by the standard of Kentucky basketball, and that’s not to listen to outside noise.”

Pitt transfer Jaland Lowe, with an illustrious history against Louisville, took a moment to reflect on his previous outings before addressing the comments made.

“I know plenty about the rivalry, always just watching from afar, playing them four times throughout my career so far, I love what Pat Kelsy has done over the last year,” Lowe said after the game. “Playing there (KFC YUM! Center) last year was amazing. I tell these guys and everybody else that that was probably one of the favorite places to play at.”

When asked next about Pryor’s comments, Lowe stood his ground.

“I mean that’s cool,” Lowe said. “They gonna talk, it’s a rivalry, you want that, it makes it fun. They can chirp, I think we’ll save our chirping for during the game, and after the game, when we win.”

Brandon Garrison added to that mindset as well; ready to play and to leave with a victory.

“It’s been going all around the internet, but coach told us really don’t worry about it,” Garrison said. “The only thing that matters is going out there and getting a win.”

There’s been plenty of talking and now we’re just days away from the one of the best rivalries in all of college basketball. The game is set to start at 8:00 p.m. ET and will air live on ESPN.

Men's Basketball

No. 9 Kentucky Takes Down Valparaiso in Jaland Lowe’s Season Debut

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2025

AJ Nava

Elliott Hess | UK Athletics

Kentucky men’s basketball got the best of Valparaiso on Friday, Nov. 7, beating the visiting team 107-59 inside of Rupp Arena.

The Wildcats brought balance to the force, where six players finished with double-digit points, led by freshman Malachi Moreno who tallied his first collegiate double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

A very balanced scoring night for Kentucky tonight as six players finished in double digits.

Moreno: 18 pts (8-14 FG)
Oweh: 15 pts (6-10 FG, 1-3 3P)
Chandler: 14 pts (4-8 3P)
Dioubate: 14 pts (5-8 FG. 1-3 3P)
Garrison: 12 pts (4-4 FG)
Aberdeen: 12 pts (3-3 FG, 1-1 3P)— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) November 8, 2025

Jaland Lowe

At the sixteen-minute mark, the moment that Wildcat fans had all been waiting for, star guard Jaland Lowe stepped onto the floor for the first time as a Kentucky Wildcat.

His first play on the floor would be a flashy no-look pass, hitting a wide open Denzel Aberdeen for a made corner three.

Although he was on a minutes restriction due to his recent shoulder injury, Lowe still managed to conjure up a solid stat line with six points, two rebounds, five assists and a steal.

With Lowe on the floor or off, Kentucky did not have a hard time getting the ball through the net, taking stride in its previous game’s slow half and dropping 58 points as a team before the break.

Balanced Offense

Along with taking the first half, the Cats shot 64% as a team and didn’t miss a single free throw as they jogged back into the locker room.

Waiting for good looks on the perimeter and spreading the wealth were keys to the win, with each player seeming patient and always looking to make the right play.

As mentioned earlier, Moreno, who got his first double-double in his career, played physical and gritty in the paint, earning respect from his doubters and potentially more minutes from Mark Pope.

Kentucky made a huge improvement from its game against Nicholls, where the Cats improved in nearly every shooting split.

No Easy Buckets

Kentucky controlled both ends of their home floor. Yes, they outscored Valparaiso by 48 points, but the Cats also held them to blank shooting statistics for the night.

On the perimeter, the Wildcats forced their opponent to take tough, off-balanced shots and on multiple occurrences made Valpo use all 24 seconds of the shot clock.

Although the box score does not immediately yell defensive masterclass, it was the defensive intangibles that held Valparaiso to a frank and sorry night in Lexington.

The Wildcats dove on the floor, contested without fouling and were consistent yet again on that side of the ball all night.

A Kentucky team that plays the way they did Friday, Nov. 7, is a scary nightmare for the rest of the college basketball world if they can do it consistently.

Up next for the Wildcats is a rivalry matchup against the Louisville Cardinals, taking place in enemy territory inside of the KFC Yum Center. With tensions rising and wanna be Louisville players jawing at the wall, this one is set to be another brawling chapter in the history books.

The game is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 11th at 8 p.m. ET, streaming live on ESPN.

Men's Basketball

Louisville Player Promises Win Over Kentucky and Calls Them Out, “F**k Them”

Published

3 days ago

November 7, 2025

Tristan Pharis

As Kentucky-Louisville prepare to play their annual rivalry game, Louisville big man Kasean Pryor promises win and has choice words for Kentucky.

Louisville Athletics | UK Athletics

The Kentucky-Louisville basketball rivalry of recent years has been a far cry of the golden eras of the rivalry that included John Calipari-Rick Pitino and Joe B. Hall-Denny Crum, however, it may be headed back in that direction.

Last month, reports surfaced of Mark Pope and Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey getting into a verbal altercation outside of a recruits home. Now, just days away from this year’s chapter in the series, Louisville players are being open about their distain of the Wildcats.

Following the Cardinals’ win over Jackson State, ranked 274th in KenPom, Kasean Pryor had some choice words for Kentucky and may have provided some extra motivation ahead of Tuesday’s matchup in the Yum! Center.

“We’ll see you guys Tuesday,” Pryor said to the media as he was leaving the press conference. “After a win. Fuck them (Kentucky).”

Pryor returned to court for the first time since tearing his ACL last November, just in time for the rivalry, which is a deadline he set for himself.

“My deadline was to be back before Kentucky, so I could play against them,” Pryor said. “They’re a good team. We’re going to be prepared for them. We’re going to handle business.”

Talk is cheap. Let’s see what happens on the court on Tuesday night.