The win over Indiana didn’t just energize Kentucky fans — it also shifted something inside the practice gym.
In the days following the December matchup, Kentucky’s coaching staff walked away from practice talking less about the final score and more about what they were seeing from certain players behind closed doors. And what stood out could end up reshaping the Wildcats’ rotation moving forward.
The Energy Didn’t Go Away
One of the biggest takeaways from the Indiana game was Kentucky’s second-half toughness. What coaches noticed immediately after wasn’t a letdown — it carried straight into practice.
Multiple drills featured sharper communication, harder closeouts, and a noticeable uptick in competitiveness. The staff wasn’t seeing players coast on a win. They were seeing urgency.
That matters.
Mouhamed Dioubate Set the Tone Again
It’s no coincidence that Mouhamed Dioubate’s presence continued to stand out.
Fresh off his game-changing performance against Indiana, Dioubate brought the same edge to practice — flying to loose balls, attacking the glass, and defending with purpose. Coaches value consistency more than one great night, and Dioubate showed that his impact wasn’t situational.
That kind of effort is hard to keep off the floor.
Rotation Conversations Are Happening
What happens in practice determines minutes, and coaches took note of which players elevated their intensity and which didn’t. There was a clear emphasis on:
Rebounding effort
Defensive positioning
Playing through contact
Making the “extra” play
Players who thrived in those areas began earning longer looks with first-unit reps. That doesn’t always mean immediate lineup changes, but it absolutely affects who gets trusted when games tighten up.
Jaland Lowe’s Control Stood Out
Another positive sign came from Jaland Lowe, whose poise late against Indiana showed up again in practice. Coaches noticed how he organized possessions, communicated on both ends, and helped keep things clean when drills sped up.
That reliability matters in rotation decisions — especially when matchups get tougher.
Why This Matters Moving Forward
Kentucky’s rotation isn’t locked in yet, and practices like these accelerate decisions. Coaches want lineups that:
Sustain energy
Defend without fouling
Rebound at a high level
Stay composed late
What they saw after Indiana suggested that some players are separating themselves, not just with talent, but with habits.
Don’t Be Surprised If Minutes Shift
Rotation changes don’t always come with announcements. Sometimes they show up quietly — an extra stint in the first half, a longer leash late, a quicker hook for someone else.
Based on what coaches noticed in practice following Indiana, those shifts may be coming sooner rather than later.
And if effort truly dictates opportunity, Kentucky’s floor could start reflecting what the staff already sees in the gym.
