By: Casey Madison (X/BleedBlueCasey) | Mark Pope. 2025 Big Blue Madness. Photo by Caleb Bowlin | UK Athletics
It’s official — Kentucky is getting some early praise, and rightfully so. On Monday, Kentucky’s Otega Oweh was named SEC Preseason Player of the Year, while Jaland Lowe was also named All‑SEC Third Team. Additionally, the AP Preseason Top 25 Poll came out, and Kentucky fans will find it quite ironic.
Otega Oweh is the guy to beat in the SEC
Following a breakout junior season in which he averaged 16.2 points per game and earned All‑SEC Second Team honors, he’s the media’s pick to top the league this fall.
UK’s 6-foot-4 senior guard topped the voting for preseason player of the year accolades from a select panel of both SEC and national media members. Also earning votes were Tennessee’s Nate Ament, Florida’s Alex Condon, Boogie Fland and Thomas Haugh; Malik Dia of Ole Miss, Mississippi State’s Josh Hubbard and Auburn’s Tahaad Pettiford.” via UKAthletics
Given those totals, and the fact he’s back for his senior year, it’s hard to argue against the hype.
Jaland Lowe earns 3rd team all SEC Honors
Lowe arrives at Kentucky as a transfer from Pitt, where he averaged 16.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.8 steals. He was a Third Team All‑ACC selection last season, and now he’s picked to make that same mark in the SEC preseason. At Pitt, he recorded 5 double‑doubles, 10 games with 20+ points, and even notched a triple‑double
Kentucky Opens at No. 9 With High Expectations
Kentucky enters the season ranked No. 9 in the latest AP Preseason Top 25 Poll: a perfect and meaningful spot as the Wildcats chase their ninth national championship banner. Kentucky is one of six SEC teams in the poll, joining Florida (No. 3), Arkansas (No. 14), Alabama (No. 15), Tennessee (No. 18), and Auburn (No. 20). The Wildcats were also picked to finish second in the SEC behind Florida in the preseason media voting. With Otega Oweh leading the way and Jaland Lowe joining the mix, Kentucky looks ready to prove that this team can live up to the hype and make a serious run this season.
Make sure to follow our new X/Twitter account for our Twitter Community!
