Now that the roster is seemingly set, here’s my thoughts on the 2025-2026 Kentucky Wildcats.
Jaland Lowe: I think overall that Lowe will be equal to or better than Lamont Butler in terms of overall impact. He’s not near the defender, but is much more skilled on the offensive end. He can get paint touches and really has a good floor game. Didn’t shoot the ball well this season, but think he gets up to about the 35% mark like he did as a freshman. Will be better with less on his plate.
Denzel Aberdeen: I liked other players on the board more than Aberdeen, but really think he can be a DeAndre Liggins type of player for Kentucky. Can get downhill easily, needs to improve finishing in the paint. Good catch and shoot guy, and fills a big need at PG2. Good defensive tools.
Otega Oweh: You know what to expect from Oweh. Think he needs to improve shot mechanics and become a better defender to have any type of shot at the league after next season. Should be the go-to guy on the roster and the leader.
Mo Dioubate: Grown ass man that is my second favorite portal addition this cycle. Can put his head down and go get a bucket, strong as an ox on drives. Can defend multiple positions at a high level, really raises the defensive ceiling and floor of the team. Wonky jumper, but it goes in and I’d like to see more catch and shoot volume. Great defender.
Jayden Quaintance: If he’s healthy (which I totally expect), he’s UK’s best big man prospect and best big man defender in years. Won’t see much drop off from Amari Williams production wise. Think JQ will be better at stampeding towards the rim. Little more of a shooter but not a huge threat. Much better athlete and defender as a whole, can switch 1-5 and erase mistakes. Good passer and handler, will dunk everything close to the rim.
Jasper Johnson: Think Aberdeen’s addition is going to be great for Jasper. Ease him in with minimal on his plate and add to it as the year goes on. Think he will be a great catch and shoot guy in the offense and can do some things off the bounce, but needs to add strength to not get bumped off line. Potential to be a Tahaad Pettiford/Labaron Philon type of freshman.
Colin Chandler: March version of Colin Chandler was exciting and think he will have a monster off season now that he’s back into the swing of things. Could be REALLY damn good this season. Makes things happen on both ends. Will be one of the team’s best shooters in my opinion. Tightening handle is the main thing to work on this off season.
Kam Williams: Prototypical 3&D wing that will be on NBA radars next season. Not much of a threat getting downhill, that needs to improve and will with increased handle. Knockdown shooter off of the catch that will be a big weapon, and a guy that can guard multiple positions.
Brandon Garrison: BG was frustrating this season at times, but I’m still a big believer in the upside. Think they should lean into his shooting upside, where he’s shown the most upside out of the 5 men on the roster. Mental reps on both ends of the floor is top priority this season in my eyes.
Andrej Jelavic: Think he’s a real X-factor for this team with his athleticism and ability to stretch the floor from the four spot. Watched a few game and it looks like he’ll be a step down on defense from Mo, but is a very confident offensive player that can be an efficient catch and shoot guy in the system.
Malachi Moreno: I’ve said all along that I didn’t think Moreno could play big minutes as a freshman due to lack of explosiveness and conditioning, but I think having JQ, BG, and the forwards to go against everyday in practice will be huge for him in the long run. High IQ player who can really pass and has a good defensive feel for the game. Working on speed is next step.
Trent Noah: I imagine he’d play the same small role that he did last year and be better in it after another off season. He busts his tail on both ends, rebounds well, and can knock down the open shot. Confidence and body progression will be main keys.
Travis Perry: Needs to improve defensively to stay on the floor, but there’s not too many better 11th-12th men in the country. Knock down shooter that will make some crucial plays at some point next season in key games when his name is called. Athleticism and defensive workouts are at the forefront of importance.
All in all, I would’ve liked for UK to have more proven shooting rather than “in theory” shooting, but there’s not many more talented rosters in the country, and certainly none with the quality of depth. Athleticism, toughness, and defense were main areas of improvement for me this off season, and Pope did a good job of addressing those. There’s potentially some shooting sacrificed by going that route, and Pope will need to show adaptability as he’s never had a top defense before, but this one is top-10 good on paper.
Another thing I like about this roster is the versatility. A lot of players can play multiple positions and defend multiple positions. The bench shooting looks great on paper, more so than the starters, but the starters feature five guys that can take you off the dribble and get a bucket at any time. I’m excited to see how Pope and the team evolve from last year to this year.
Jaland Lowe: I think overall that Lowe will be equal to or better than Lamont Butler in terms of overall impact. He’s not near the defender, but is much more skilled on the offensive end. He can get paint touches and really has a good floor game. Didn’t shoot the ball well this season, but think he gets up to about the 35% mark like he did as a freshman. Will be better with less on his plate.
Denzel Aberdeen: I liked other players on the board more than Aberdeen, but really think he can be a DeAndre Liggins type of player for Kentucky. Can get downhill easily, needs to improve finishing in the paint. Good catch and shoot guy, and fills a big need at PG2. Good defensive tools.
Otega Oweh: You know what to expect from Oweh. Think he needs to improve shot mechanics and become a better defender to have any type of shot at the league after next season. Should be the go-to guy on the roster and the leader.
Mo Dioubate: Grown ass man that is my second favorite portal addition this cycle. Can put his head down and go get a bucket, strong as an ox on drives. Can defend multiple positions at a high level, really raises the defensive ceiling and floor of the team. Wonky jumper, but it goes in and I’d like to see more catch and shoot volume. Great defender.
Jayden Quaintance: If he’s healthy (which I totally expect), he’s UK’s best big man prospect and best big man defender in years. Won’t see much drop off from Amari Williams production wise. Think JQ will be better at stampeding towards the rim. Little more of a shooter but not a huge threat. Much better athlete and defender as a whole, can switch 1-5 and erase mistakes. Good passer and handler, will dunk everything close to the rim.
Jasper Johnson: Think Aberdeen’s addition is going to be great for Jasper. Ease him in with minimal on his plate and add to it as the year goes on. Think he will be a great catch and shoot guy in the offense and can do some things off the bounce, but needs to add strength to not get bumped off line. Potential to be a Tahaad Pettiford/Labaron Philon type of freshman.
Colin Chandler: March version of Colin Chandler was exciting and think he will have a monster off season now that he’s back into the swing of things. Could be REALLY damn good this season. Makes things happen on both ends. Will be one of the team’s best shooters in my opinion. Tightening handle is the main thing to work on this off season.
Kam Williams: Prototypical 3&D wing that will be on NBA radars next season. Not much of a threat getting downhill, that needs to improve and will with increased handle. Knockdown shooter off of the catch that will be a big weapon, and a guy that can guard multiple positions.
Brandon Garrison: BG was frustrating this season at times, but I’m still a big believer in the upside. Think they should lean into his shooting upside, where he’s shown the most upside out of the 5 men on the roster. Mental reps on both ends of the floor is top priority this season in my eyes.
Andrej Jelavic: Think he’s a real X-factor for this team with his athleticism and ability to stretch the floor from the four spot. Watched a few game and it looks like he’ll be a step down on defense from Mo, but is a very confident offensive player that can be an efficient catch and shoot guy in the system.
Malachi Moreno: I’ve said all along that I didn’t think Moreno could play big minutes as a freshman due to lack of explosiveness and conditioning, but I think having JQ, BG, and the forwards to go against everyday in practice will be huge for him in the long run. High IQ player who can really pass and has a good defensive feel for the game. Working on speed is next step.
Trent Noah: I imagine he’d play the same small role that he did last year and be better in it after another off season. He busts his tail on both ends, rebounds well, and can knock down the open shot. Confidence and body progression will be main keys.
Travis Perry: Needs to improve defensively to stay on the floor, but there’s not too many better 11th-12th men in the country. Knock down shooter that will make some crucial plays at some point next season in key games when his name is called. Athleticism and defensive workouts are at the forefront of importance.
All in all, I would’ve liked for UK to have more proven shooting rather than “in theory” shooting, but there’s not many more talented rosters in the country, and certainly none with the quality of depth. Athleticism, toughness, and defense were main areas of improvement for me this off season, and Pope did a good job of addressing those. There’s potentially some shooting sacrificed by going that route, and Pope will need to show adaptability as he’s never had a top defense before, but this one is top-10 good on paper.
Another thing I like about this roster is the versatility. A lot of players can play multiple positions and defend multiple positions. The bench shooting looks great on paper, more so than the starters, but the starters feature five guys that can take you off the dribble and get a bucket at any time. I’m excited to see how Pope and the team evolve from last year to this year.
