Mark Pope’s first year at Kentucky was a big success. Setting the record for most top 15 wins in the history of the program is a good way to start his first year at Kentucky. He also made it to the second weekend in March, something the Wildcats hadn’t done since 2019. Even though Pope’s team last year was great, the team he has this year looks like a National Championship contender from day one.
Pope went to work in the transfer portal. He acquired six total transfers including Denzel Aberdeen from Florida, Jaland Lowe from Pitt, Kam Williams from Tulane, Mouhamed Dioubate from Alabama, Jayden Quaintance from Arizona State, and Reece Potter from Miami OH. These transfers will have a big impact on the success of the team throughout the season.
Lowe, Quaintance, and Aberdeen will be worth keeping an eye on specifically. Lowe is a top point guard in the SEC and he will not only score himself but get his teammates easy buckets. Quaintance is arguably the best defender in the country. Nothing gets by him around the rim. Aberdeen brings a championship mentality to the team since he was a part of the Florida team that won it all last year. He can score the ball well but he is also a shutdown defender.
While the Wildcats got many transfers they also have many incoming freshmen that could be a big part of the team this year. Kentucky acquired Jasper Johnson, a five star who will be one of the wildcats top scorers. Malachi Moreno, a four star big man, is a great rim protector. Braydon Hawthorne, a four star wing with big upside might not make an impact this year but down the road could be a star. The final piece added is Andrija Jelavic, a center from Croatia who can spread the floor and score on two levels.
A wise man once said, “The best gets are the ones you already have.” Kentucky has some key returners that look to make a far run in March. The Cats’ leading scorer in Otega Oweh returning immediately turned this team into a contender. Oweh has all the tools to be the best player in the country and will probably be the preseason SEC Player of the Year. Brandon Garrison will likely be our starting center. He looks to make a big jump from last year with his scoring ability and maturity. Collin Chandler and Trent Noah are lights out shooters who will give the team a spark when needed. Chandler can also run the point to give Lowe and Aberdeen some breaks.
Kentucky is reloaded and ready to make a deep run in March. If all these talented pieces click, there is a good chance you see the Cats in the National Championship game in April.
