It’s wild to think that it’s already been a year since Mark Pope’s debut team took the court at Memorial Coliseum. Back then, the buzz was all about how well that first group could shoot and how the pieces would fit together. Now, one year later, Pope’s second Kentucky team is ready for its first public test — and this one feels even bigger.
The Wildcats will take the floor tonight at 5:30 p.m. ET live on SEC Network+, giving fans and NBA scouts a first real look at what this new mix of returners, transfers, and freshmen can do. KSR will be there live, but here are five storylines every fan should be watching when the lights come on.
1. How close is Jaland Lowe to becoming Kentucky’s 1B option?
Otega Oweh might be the heart of this team — an All-SEC force coming off a monster junior year — but the guy who’s turning heads fastest is Jaland Lowe. The transfer from Pitt came to Lexington with serious expectations, and by all early accounts, he’s already exceeding them.
At Pitt, Lowe showed flashes of brilliance but struggled with efficiency and support. Now, surrounded by more talent, he looks calm, confident, and dangerous. He’s got that mix of pace, vision, and poise that’s catching everyone’s attention inside the Joe Craft Center.
NBA scouts will be watching how well Lowe runs the show — and how comfortably he plays next to Oweh. If he looks as smooth under the lights as he’s been behind closed doors, this could be the night Kentucky fans realize they’ve got another star guard on their hands.
2. What can scouts really learn about Jayden Quaintance right now?
Jayden Quaintance hasn’t even made his Kentucky debut yet, but he’s already the program’s top NBA prospect — maybe even a top-five pick next summer. At 6-foot-11 and 255 pounds, with elite athleticism and skill, he looks every bit the part.
He’s still rehabbing from an ACL injury, but Mark Pope says he’s “breaking every record known to humankind.” Quaintance is already participating in shooting and ball-handling drills, and though fans probably won’t see him go full speed tonight, just watching him move will be enough to turn heads.
Expect scouts to take notes on his frame, touch, and how well he’s progressing. December or January is the projected return date — and when he finally steps onto the court for real, Kentucky’s ceiling instantly skyrockets.
3. How far along is Andrija Jelavic — and how close is he to NBA-ready?
One of the most intriguing mysteries on this roster is Andrija Jelavic, the 6-foot-11 Croatian forward who joined the Wildcats late this summer. After missing eight weeks of team workouts, Jelavic admitted the adjustment “was tough,” but he’s quickly catching up.
Here’s the twist: the NCAA has classified him as a sophomore thanks to his professional experience and transferred coursework, meaning he’s got up to three years of eligibility. But scouts are already wondering if he’ll even need all that time.
He’s skilled, experienced, and confident — it’s just a matter of getting comfortable with the speed and physicality of college basketball. Tonight will be our first real chance to see where he stands. Don’t be surprised if Jelavic looks further along than anyone expects.
4. Are the “Herculean jumps” from Collin Chandler and Trent Noah legit?
Mark Pope doesn’t hold back when he talks about his guys. But even by his standards, his praise for Collin Chandler and Trent Noah stood out. Pope called their offseason progress “Herculean” — and this time, it might not be exaggeration.
Chandler has reportedly been leading the team in defensive impact while flashing the kind of confidence that screams breakout season. Noah, meanwhile, has been lighting up every scrimmage — scoring nearly 1.8 points per possession in live reps. That’s elite efficiency.
Both guys were bright spots as freshmen, but they now look like foundational players. Pro Day will show whether those practice reports translate under the lights. If they do, Kentucky’s depth just got a lot scarier.
5. Who’s next in line to be a pro?
Last season, Kentucky started with one surefire pro (Jaxson Robinson) and ended with three players signing NBA contracts. This year’s group is loaded with potential — some proven, some still emerging.
Jayden Quaintance and Otega Oweh are near locks for the draft, but several others could play their way into the conversation:
Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno, two blue-chip freshmen with NBA tools
Kam Williams, a 3&D wing tailor-made for the modern game
Brandon Garrison, a former McDonald’s All-American finding his stride
Denzel Aberdeen and Mo Dioubate, both seasoned SEC playmakers
Braydon Hawthorne, one of the most fascinating long-term prospects in the country
And don’t forget Chandler and Noah — both have legitimate pro upside if this leap is real.
When the dust settles tonight, expect a few new names to emerge in those early 2026 NBA Draft mock lists.
