Well if we tank three straight years then we will be looking for another coach unfortunately. I hate the coaching searches but anyway, let’s see how this plays out.
Jaland Lowe to uk
- Thread starter BlueBloodKyFan
- Start date
Like the pickup. Lowe can play. Also think he'll excel offensively with the better spacing you see with Pope's offensive system. Shooting is the easiest skill to improve upon if you are willing to put in the work--Lamont Butler is proof of that.
Lowe/Lewis/Chandler is a good trio of guys who can play PG too. 2 with Experience and one FR.
Lowe/Lewis/Chandler is a good trio of guys who can play PG too. 2 with Experience and one FR.
Maybe not but BG isn’t a world better on defense either. I would sacrifice some of the defense at 5 for the offense output. If we are looking for a true 5 late in the game it’s Ewin. If we are looking for a bruiser it’s Ballard from the shockers unless UCF center enters portal late.
the 3 point shooting is concerning but he's clearly a good shooter, has shot at least 85% FT in both seasons, my guess is Pitts system is why the number is so low not that he can't shoot.
He also has excellent speed, quickness, handle and court awareness. He has good form on his shot with a quick release and is nearly automatic at the FT line, so I expect his shooting % to improve a ton.
We have a lot of portal left and a solid recruiting class coming in. Hell, I forgot about Chandler, too. He'll be great next year.
We will be fine. You're welcome to disagree, but the negativity on this board is rivalling the end of Cal's tenure. It's getting old. Players improve. Players actually have a chance to improve now without getting forced out for the next crop of underperforming freshmen.
IMO, we'll be fine.
He’s seems like a workhorse like Butler. A lot of people were meh about him until we saw what kind of motor he had
My thoughts exactly.
The same chicken littles who were saying Butler couldn’t shoot, Brea was from a small conference and didn’t average much there, Amari couldn’t play in the SEC, and Oweh was “just a guy”, are now panicked about how we can ever replace them.
Has been in Spain. Maybe still is. Perhaps he wants to visit first.
2026 NBA mock draft he is 26th overall. Not sure why the hate. This is a huge get and need for our roster.
Agree. That weight gain goal is definitely a sign pope wants him at pf.
People can improve and we need lowe to improve. We need Chandler to really improve.
This season will turn on landing a key big. If we're left with the iu guy, we're cooked. Bama guy would be better but not putting us in contention of anything.
Blue colored glasses are keeping some from seeing how far behind we fell even in the sec. We can close the gap but we just need better guys. That isnt pessimistic, its just a fact.
It amazes me how people freak out this easily. Pretty sure he will be surrounded by better talent than he was at Pitt.
He had a triple double last season. Folks just calm down some. He's 6-3.
He had a triple double last season. Folks just calm down some. He's 6-3.
The 40.3% from 3 as a freshman was games he was the starter - 19 games 25/62. In the 14 games as a reserve, 23% 6/26. It is really eassy to find, unless you just want to take the worst of every situation. of course most are not talking about the really great assist #s and even rebounds for a PG. Nah, that would be saying something positive about a player they have never watched play and only look at stats. Also averaged nearly 2 steals per game (1.8). he is very quick and can attack and distribute (you know a PG's job). He played on a very bad defensive Pitt team that under performed all year. They had no structured offense and everyone just kind of winged it.
Notable games showing he is more than capable :
LSU - 22/8/6 had 3 steals, 4/7 from 3
Wisconsin - 15/5/5
Ohio State - 28/4/4
Miss. State - 19/4/3 / 2 steals. Was 4/9 on 3s.
Virginia Tech - 19/5/2 FOUR steals
Sam Houston - 19/3/11 was 3/9 from 3
Cal - 27/4/8
Louisville - 24/2/6
Louisville #2 - 16/10/5 with 3 steals
FSU - 22/2/5 with 3 steals
UNC - 18/6/7 with 3 steals, 3/6 from 3.
@ Duke - 8/5/4 with 3 steals, 2/4 from 3. Pitt only scored 47 points but he had a solid all around game.
He also hit the game winner his freshman year to beat Duke, @ Duke he had 17 points / 6 assist / 2 steals / 2/5 from 3 in a 80-75 upset AT Duke.
After becoming a starter (his 15th game) from 3, he had games of :
2/3, 1/2, 1/2, 2/5, 2/5, 1/2, 2/3, 2/5, 2/5, 2/4, 1/3, 1/3, 1/2, 1/1.
That tells me that he CAN be a above average 3 point shooter, just better shot selection. It clearly shows when he doesn't have to play hero ball and plays within the offense (which he will at UK), he is a very solid shooter / scorer.
Notable games showing he is more than capable :
LSU - 22/8/6 had 3 steals, 4/7 from 3
Wisconsin - 15/5/5
Ohio State - 28/4/4
Miss. State - 19/4/3 / 2 steals. Was 4/9 on 3s.
Virginia Tech - 19/5/2 FOUR steals
Sam Houston - 19/3/11 was 3/9 from 3
Cal - 27/4/8
Louisville - 24/2/6
Louisville #2 - 16/10/5 with 3 steals
FSU - 22/2/5 with 3 steals
UNC - 18/6/7 with 3 steals, 3/6 from 3.
@ Duke - 8/5/4 with 3 steals, 2/4 from 3. Pitt only scored 47 points but he had a solid all around game.
He also hit the game winner his freshman year to beat Duke, @ Duke he had 17 points / 6 assist / 2 steals / 2/5 from 3 in a 80-75 upset AT Duke.
After becoming a starter (his 15th game) from 3, he had games of :
2/3, 1/2, 1/2, 2/5, 2/5, 1/2, 2/3, 2/5, 2/5, 2/4, 1/3, 1/3, 1/2, 1/1.
That tells me that he CAN be a above average 3 point shooter, just better shot selection. It clearly shows when he doesn't have to play hero ball and plays within the offense (which he will at UK), he is a very solid shooter / scorer.
Agree. He’s the name I’ve been least excited about (and Mgbako). But I’ve had a feeling it’s who we end up with.
Hes a Cat now so I’ll be pulling for a huge jump in production and success this year
He'd have been the third leading rebounder on last years KY team.
Also, steals leader
And FT% leader
Over 5 dimes a game
Almost a 2:1 assist to turnover ratio
And almost never came out of the game (36 minutes a game average)
We got a good one. You're ALLOWED to be happy you know...
Also, steals leader
And FT% leader
Over 5 dimes a game
Almost a 2:1 assist to turnover ratio
And almost never came out of the game (36 minutes a game average)
We got a good one. You're ALLOWED to be happy you know...
This kid is an absolute stud. I watched a decent amount of Pitt games and he was basically their whole team. Extremely talented and capable....with a good coach and a better system the sky is the limit.
We literally could get a modern day Michael Jordon in his prime and a lot of posters would say he sucks and Mark Pope needs to be fired TODAY. Some (not all) people on this board are pathetic. UK basketball will be fine. Why can’t people just sit back and enjoy the ride.
This guys a backup caliber PG imo. Not PG1.
I'm a bit concerned.
I'm a bit concerned.
Not sure where they are grabbing that number but he did shoot 41% from 3 in conference during his freshman year.
Because people on this board are fking insane, that’s why
And by "Talent" you mean guys ranked higher in portal rankings/recruiting?
If so please enlighten me on how many teams have guys that were top ten in those portal rankings.
And if you wanted top 10 high school talent then you should have wanted to keep Cal and have that season.
Deeper dig into his stats.
- He was improved his 2pt shooting from 40.4% to 43.4%, but still has a ways to go
- his 3pt shooting took a nose dive from 35.2% to 26.6%, by almost doubling his 3pt attempts from 2.7 to 5.0 per game.
So it looks like he was asked to do more than he was capable of (carry a team). If he’s more selective and not one of the top 2-3 options then I think he can get back to being a 35% 3pt shooter.
The more concerning part is the low 2pt %, so either he’s a bad finisher, take a lot of long 2’s, or his midrange game need work.
- He was improved his 2pt shooting from 40.4% to 43.4%, but still has a ways to go
- his 3pt shooting took a nose dive from 35.2% to 26.6%, by almost doubling his 3pt attempts from 2.7 to 5.0 per game.
So it looks like he was asked to do more than he was capable of (carry a team). If he’s more selective and not one of the top 2-3 options then I think he can get back to being a 35% 3pt shooter.
The more concerning part is the low 2pt %, so either he’s a bad finisher, take a lot of long 2’s, or his midrange game need work.
I’m kind of split on this addition. He’s a very good distributor and excellent free throw shooter, which are both ideal for a point guard. He grades out decently on defense, but none of the scouting reports I’ve read over indicated that it’s his calling card either.
The shooting numbers from the field are the elephant in the room. 27% from 3 is the one that people are jumping to, but 53% at the rim and 33% mid range per the Torvik splits are both just as terrible, especially on such a high volume of attempts. I hope it’s true that he was just asked to do too much, but honestly, I almost feel like it’s being overstated how bad Pitt was this year. 17-15 record while ranked 62nd overall and 52nd in offensive efficiency on KenPom is more mediocre than historically awful.
Hopefully Pope and the staff have identified ways they think he can make a big jump in his efficiency under their guidance and are proven correct. I can see how he would be a really productive player if there’s a way to make him more efficient from the field. If not though, he could be Wheeler 2.0. Wide range of possible outcomes on this one.
The shooting numbers from the field are the elephant in the room. 27% from 3 is the one that people are jumping to, but 53% at the rim and 33% mid range per the Torvik splits are both just as terrible, especially on such a high volume of attempts. I hope it’s true that he was just asked to do too much, but honestly, I almost feel like it’s being overstated how bad Pitt was this year. 17-15 record while ranked 62nd overall and 52nd in offensive efficiency on KenPom is more mediocre than historically awful.
Hopefully Pope and the staff have identified ways they think he can make a big jump in his efficiency under their guidance and are proven correct. I can see how he would be a really productive player if there’s a way to make him more efficient from the field. If not though, he could be Wheeler 2.0. Wide range of possible outcomes on this one.
Pope has not yet given me reason to not believe he can evaluate talent that fits his system. Until he does, I’ll trust him that Lowe is the upperclassman PG we need to compliment Lewis.
Seems some armchair talent evaluators here want “Booms” just so they can have something to bellyache about. Let’s trust this is a Boom, unless it turns into a Bust on the court.
Btw, I’d have gladly taken Lowe on roster this past season when we were w/o a PG.
Seems some armchair talent evaluators here want “Booms” just so they can have something to bellyache about. Let’s trust this is a Boom, unless it turns into a Bust on the court.
Btw, I’d have gladly taken Lowe on roster this past season when we were w/o a PG.
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This was on KSR
n Saturday, Pittsburgh guard Jaland Lowe committed to the Kentucky Wildcats, as first reported by Travis Branham of 247Sports. Clocking in at 6-foot-3, Lowe was named All-ACC Third Team this past season after posting per-game averages of 16.8 points, 5.5 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.8 steals in 35.4 minutes as a sophomore. The Texas native shot 37.6 percent from the field, 26.6 percent from deep, and 88.6 percent from the free throw line.
Lowe, who will have two years of eligibility remaining and is testing the NBA Draft waters, joins Tulane guard Kam Williams as the Wildcats’ two incoming transfers thus far.
n Saturday, Pittsburgh guard Jaland Lowe committed to the Kentucky Wildcats, as first reported by Travis Branham of 247Sports. Clocking in at 6-foot-3, Lowe was named All-ACC Third Team this past season after posting per-game averages of 16.8 points, 5.5 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.8 steals in 35.4 minutes as a sophomore. The Texas native shot 37.6 percent from the field, 26.6 percent from deep, and 88.6 percent from the free throw line.
Lowe, who will have two years of eligibility remaining and is testing the NBA Draft waters, joins Tulane guard Kam Williams as the Wildcats’ two incoming transfers thus far.
Exactly he was the 5th best PG of the portal I guess a lot of fans are talking themselves into this being a great pickup. We just swung and missed on the others that was above him. I will root for the kid because he’s a Wildcat but going from last year to this year this PG was supposed to be better than Butler and I don’t see it.
With the exception of Duke, every FF team this year has worked together for several seasons. Filling a roster with stellar guys each season might work for Calipari. If you're in a system like Pope's, you need good players who know the system.
Yeah, we need better players. Nothing about the two (alleged) transfer additions or three freshmen we've got leads me to believe we aren't addressing that while also building a foundation for future teams.
It's not blue tinted glasses. I respect your position, though.
It seems like there is mix reviews with this player.
Butler was a good defender and his offensive improved vastly under Pope.
There is hope his offense can also improve.
If he becomes starting PG I hope he can run an offense. If not he would be a back up bench PG.
Butler was a good defender and his offensive improved vastly under Pope.
There is hope his offense can also improve.
If he becomes starting PG I hope he can run an offense. If not he would be a back up bench PG.
BOOM and welcome aboard! Never seem him play, but from watching some film it looks like he took a lot of difficult 2's. Maybe cause he knew they weren't going to get any better shots with the team they had, who knows? Excellent FT shooter and gets to the line pretty often. Good looking shooting form, not sure what's up with the low 3pt %.
Yep because Lewis, Moreno, Johnson, Oweh, Chandler, Garrison, and Kam Williams should question why they are on the team if they arent enough talent for our UK fans
