The energy inside the Joe Craft Center is unmistakable. Just days before Kentucky tips off its first official preseason practice, Jaland Lowe — the Wildcats’ presumed starting point guard — couldn’t hold back a grin.
“Oh, we’re super excited,” Lowe said, nearly glowing with anticipation. “We know it’s getting real now. Big Blue Madness, scrimmages, then the season — it’s all right around the corner. We can’t wait.”
For Lowe and Kentucky, this week signals the start of something bigger. Ten new players have joined the roster, and expectations are sky-high. The Wildcats are projected to be ranked inside the preseason top 10 and already have national title buzz swirling around them.
Lowe Embraces the Spotlight
The 6-foot-1 junior transfer from Pitt has quickly stepped into the role of floor general. Mark Pope and his teammates have all but confirmed that Lowe will run the show this season, and his personality makes him a natural spokesman for the team.
What excites him most? The mindset of his new teammates.
“Everybody here just wants to win,” Lowe said. “In college basketball, you don’t always find that. But when you have a whole team dedicated to winning, it gives you confidence. It makes coming to work every day fun.”
At Pitt last season, Lowe carried a heavy burden — averaging 16.8 points, 5.5 assists, and 1.8 steals while playing nearly 36 minutes per game. Now, he’ll share the load with one of the deepest rosters in the nation, giving him the chance to prove he’s an NBA-caliber point guard.
“I didn’t know you could even put together a roster this good,” Lowe admitted.
Depth Everywhere You Look
Kentucky’s roster is loaded at every position. In the backcourt, Lowe is joined by returning star Otega Oweh (recovering from turf toe), veteran guard Denzel Aberdeen, and young standouts Jasper Johnson and Collin Chandler. The wings feature sharp-shooters Kam Williams and Trent Noah, plus versatile freshman Braydon Hawthorne.
The frontcourt is massive: Mouhamed Dioubate, projected lottery pick Jayden Quaintance (working his way back from ACL surgery), Brandon Garrison, Andrija Jelavic, Malachi Moreno, and Reece Potter.
That’s 14 players — and Lowe insists every one of them can make an impact.
One name that jumps out? Quaintance. “We’re going to be the best team in the country, without a doubt, when he comes back,” Lowe said.
Building Chemistry
The summer wasn’t without challenges. Oweh was sidelined, Quaintance couldn’t fully participate, and Jelavic arrived late. But Lowe saw plenty of progress, especially in how the group grew more confident in each other’s games.
“We joke that we all watch each other’s highlights,” Lowe said with a laugh. “So it’s like, ‘That’s why you’re here. Do it on the court, and we’ll be hyped for you.’ The confidence is building, and it’s showing now.”
The next six weeks — leading up to the Nov. 4 opener against Nicholls at Rupp Arena — will be crucial. Kentucky will host Pro Day for NBA scouts, Big Blue Madness on Oct. 11, the Blue-White Game on Oct. 17, and exhibitions against Purdue (Oct. 24) and Georgetown (Oct. 30).
For Lowe, the mission is clear: get this roster on the same page.
“With the talent we have and the way these coaches lead, once we’re in sync, it’s going to look really good out there,” he said.
