When it comes to preseason predictions in college hoops, few sources carry as much weight as the Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook — long considered the sport’s “bible.” And this year, Kentucky fans have plenty to get excited about.
The Wildcats landed at No. 8 in Blue Ribbon’s preseason Top 25, a strong endorsement from editor Chris Dortch, who has been evaluating teams for decades.
“It starts with the guy at the front of the bench. I’m a really, really huge fan of Mark Pope,” Dortch said.
A Promising Foundation
Pope’s first season at Kentucky already showed what he could do. The Wildcats earned a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament and reached the Sweet 16 despite battling a rash of injuries. Key players Jaxson Robinson and Kerr Kriisa were sidelined, Lamont Butler was limited, and others were banged up. Still, Kentucky pushed through to its best tournament run since 2019.
“If they had been even decently healthy all year long, they could’ve been a Final Four team,” Dortch argued. “They would have had a chance to win it all.”
That makes his confidence in Pope’s 2025-26 squad even more striking.
The Best Backcourt in the SEC?
Blue Ribbon ranks Kentucky’s backcourt as the best in the SEC, no small feat given the league put a record 14 teams in last year’s NCAA Tournament.
The guard trio of Jaland Lowe, Denzel Aberdeen, and Otega Oweh headline that strength:
Lowe, a transfer from Pittsburgh, is expected to run the offense and thrive in Pope’s up-tempo system.
Aberdeen, who transferred from Florida, showed flashes of elite shooting when given more opportunities last year. He’s now projected as a starter.
Oweh, Kentucky’s returning star, is back for his senior season and already earning preseason All-American second team recognition.
“With those three guards, they’re going to be problematic for people,” Dortch said. “You’d be hard-pressed to find a better triumvirate.”
Add in Collin Chandler, freshman Jasper Johnson, and Tulane transfer Kam Williams (who hit 41% from three as a freshman), and Pope has plenty of firepower.
Frontcourt Depth — With a Wildcard
Kentucky’s frontcourt isn’t ranked in the SEC’s top three, but Dortch still sees big upside.
Mouhamed Dioubate, a transfer from Alabama, brings toughness and versatility at the 4 spot.
Jayden Quaintance, the 6-10 future NBA lottery pick, is recovering from ACL surgery but could be ready by December or January.
Brandon Garrison (former McDonald’s All-American) likely starts at center until Quaintance returns.
Freshman Malachi Moreno, international prospect Andrija Jelavic, and Reece Potter (all 6-11 or taller) give Pope plenty of size and shooting options.
Throw in Trent Noah, a proven shot-maker, and Braydon Hawthorne, a developmental forward with upside, and Kentucky’s depth could be overwhelming.
Managing Talent — and Retention
With so much depth, Pope’s biggest challenge may not be winning games but keeping everyone engaged.
“When you’ve got a lot of depth, the concern is keeping everybody’s head in the game,” Dortch explained. He called it a “delightful dilemma” but noted that roster retention is the name of the game in modern college basketball.
Kentucky has 14 scholarship-level players, with only Oweh and Aberdeen in their final season. Balancing immediate success with long-term retention will be key.
“You don’t want to have to go get nine or 10 guys every year,” Dortch said. “Even if you’re Kentucky.”
The Big Picture
Blue Ribbon slots Kentucky just behind Florida (No. 1), Purdue, Houston, Duke, UConn, St. John’s, and Tennessee in the national rankings. Rounding out the top 10 are Michigan and Louisville.
For Pope and Kentucky, it’s another sign that the program is back among the nation’s elite.
“It’s just a different world,” Dortch said. “And Mark is equipped to handle it. Mark Pope is equipped to handle college basketball in the year 2025. That is my quote.”
