Kentucky came into Friday night with questions — and left with answers. By the time Jaland Lowe checked into his first game as a Wildcat, the score was already 13–3, and the rout was on.
No. 9 Kentucky rolled to a 107–59 blowout win over Valparaiso at Rupp Arena, improving to 2–0 on the season. The game marked the long-awaited debut of Lowe, the junior point guard who had been sidelined since suffering a right shoulder injury in the Blue-White Game on October 17.
When Lowe entered before the first media timeout, all five of Kentucky’s starters had already scored, and the Cats had hit their first six shots. On his very first offensive possession, Lowe assisted Denzel Aberdeen for a corner three-pointer, then later drove through traffic for a layup — his first points as a Wildcat — giving Kentucky a 20–5 lead.
The Wildcats were unstoppable from the opening tip. After scoring just 28 first-half points in the opener against Nicholls, Kentucky surpassed that total before the halfway mark of the first half against Valpo. By halftime, the Cats led 58–26 — the most points in a half during Mark Pope’s tenure.
The second half was pure celebration for Big Blue Nation.
Six Wildcats finished in double figures. Freshman center Malachi Moreno led the way with 18 points and 10 rebounds for his first career double-double, adding three assists. Otega Oweh had 15 points, five rebounds, and three assists. Collin Chandler scored 14 points with 4-of-8 from three, adding five rebounds and four assists. Mouhamed Dioubate and Brandon Garrison contributed 14 and 12 points, while Denzel Aberdeen also scored 12.
Lowe finished with six points, five assists, and zero turnovers in 18 minutes off the bench, showing he could immediately impact Kentucky’s backcourt.
Coach Mark Pope had hinted Thursday that Lowe was ready, confirming on his pregame radio show that the junior point guard would come off the bench. Now back, Lowe is expected to start moving forward, though Chandler’s strong play keeps the rotation flexible.
Kentucky remains shorthanded in the frontcourt. Sophomore Jayden Quaintance, a projected 2026 NBA lottery pick, is still rehabbing a torn ACL, while Trent Noah, injured in the opener, is expected to play a reserve role once healthy.
Friday’s win gave fans a clearer look at this Kentucky core. With Lowe back, the spacing, tempo, and offensive balance are all clicking, and the team looks more dangerous than ever.
Next up? The first major test of the season: Kentucky heads to the KFC Yum! Center to face No. 11 Louisville in the annual rivalry showdown, tipping at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. Louisville enters 2–0, led by sophomore forward Khani Rooths and McDonald’s All-American point guard Mikel Brown Jr.
Kentucky has won 14 of the last 17 meetings with the Cardinals, and after Friday’s offensive explosion, Big Blue Nation can feel confident heading into Tuesday’s showdown.
