Author: successsport360
Kentucky fans might want to pause whatever they’re doing — because Mark Pope just delivered the most encouraging update yet on Jaland Lowe’s shoulder injury ahead of the Wildcats’ massive showdown with North Carolina. After missing time due to a shoulder issue that affected his shooting and overall comfort on the ball, the sophomore guard is finally trending in the right direction. And Pope’s tone made one thing crystal clear: Kentucky might be getting an important piece back at the perfect moment. “He’s looking better every single day.” Pope didn’t hide the optimism. Lowe has been gradually increasing his activity…
North Carolina barely has time to breathe after its first loss of the season. Following a discouraging performance against Michigan State, the Tar Heels now walk straight into another national-stage showdown: a top-25 battle with the Kentucky Wildcats inside Rupp Arena. Kentucky remains one of the nation’s biggest puzzles — dominant against weak opponents, winless against ranked teams — while UNC is fighting to avoid dropping two straight before December. Both teams need a statement. Only one will get it. Here are the three biggest factors that will shape this matchup. 1. UNC’s First True Road Test Comes in the…
Kentucky has done what most good teams do in November — bury the buy-games and dominate the mid-majors. The Wildcats have looked crisp, explosive, and confident against the opponents they should beat. But there’s one glaring hole in the résumé: No signature wins. Not one victory over a ranked opponent. And with the sting of blowout losses to Louisville and Michigan State still hanging over the locker room, Kentucky enters its toughest non-conference stretch with a point to prove — not just to the rankings, not just to the analytics, but to themselves. Jelavic Sends the Message: “We Need to…
When Jakand Lowe went down, the big question swirling around Lexington was simple: Who steps up now? On Wednesday night, Kentucky got the answer loud and clear — and his name is Denzel Aberdeen. In a 104–54 statement win over Tennessee Tech, the junior guard didn’t just fill a role. He seized a spotlight that had been waiting for someone bold enough to grab it. A Surprise Hero Emerges Aberdeen erupted for 16 points, tying for the team high on a night where Kentucky’s offense ran like a fully-loaded bullet train. He became one of the five Wildcats scoring in…
Mark Pope is wrestling with one of the toughest decisions of Kentucky’s young season — whether to unleash freshman Braydon Hawthorne now or protect his future with a redshirt year. And with talent reminiscent of former Wildcat legend Tayshaun Prince, the stakes feel even higher. Hawthorne arrived in Lexington with measurements that made coaches raise their eyebrows immediately. At 6’8″ with a 7’2.5″ wingspan and a 9’1.5″ standing reach, he brings rare length and versatility for a wing. Pope has been bullish on his upside since August, saying the rookie “might have the goods” to become truly special. But raw…
In the pressure cooker of Kentucky basketball, players are often judged almost entirely by their box scores. Did you score? Did you rebound? Did you make winning plays? If the answer is no, fans are quick to call for a substitution. Early against Tennessee Tech, those frustrations turned vocal, with chants from the crowd urging Mark Pope to take Brandon Garrison out of the game. Garrison has felt that pressure all season long. After returning for his second year under Pope, fans expected a leap. They wanted increased production, assertiveness, and consistency. Instead, his numbers have stayed modest at 5.9…
Kentucky didn’t just handle business on Wednesday night — they uncovered something far more valuable than a routine November win. In a 104–54 demolition of Tennessee Tech, sophomore guard Trent Noah delivered a breakout performance that may force the coaching staff to rethink the rotation heading into December. And it all happened in just 21 minutes. A Quiet Start to the Season — Until Now Noah entered the season as one of Kentucky’s better-known shooters, but minor injuries and a deep guard rotation had kept him from gaining real momentum. Through the opening stretch of games, he averaged just 11.1…
When Mark Pope made a change to Kentucky’s starting lineup, the move wasn’t subtle. With Mo Dioubate sidelined after suffering an ankle injury against Michigan State, Pope reshuffled the rotation: Kam Williams stepped in for Dioubate, and a freshman seven-footer replaced Brandon Garrison at center. The adjustment has paid immediate dividends — and the newcomer has seized the moment with both hands. A Promotion That Came as a Surprise He admits he wasn’t expecting to hear his name in the starting five. “It was very surprising,” he said. “But I was extremely grateful for the opportunity. It shows he has…
As Lexington celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding, the Herald-Leader and Kentucky.com are highlighting notable pieces of the city’s history throughout 2025. Compiled by Liz Carey, these daily snapshots capture moments that have helped shape the city — joyful, tragic, surprising, and unforgettable. A Giant Takes Shape When Rupp Arena opened on Oct. 17, 1976, it immediately ranked among the largest basketball-specific venues in the country, rivaled only by massive domes like the Astrodome and Superdome. Construction began in 1974, launching a $50 million project that would also produce the Civic Center shops, the adjacent convention spaces, and the…
It almost feels wrong to complain after a 50-point blowout. You win by half a hundred, you’re supposed to smile, clap, and move on. But this is Kentucky basketball — nitpicking is practically part of the culture. So pull up a chair at the Big Blue holiday table, grab a plate, and let’s talk about something this team has to fix: the frustrating habit of sleepwalking through the first half of games. I was in the arena for the Tennessee Tech matchup — my first in-person game of the season — ready to soak in the energy, the pace, the…