By: Casey Madison (X/BleedBlueCasey) | Photo Via UKAthletics
Mark Pope’s first major test in his second year at Kentucky will come this Friday night when the Wildcats host No. 1 Purdue in an exhibition matchup at Rupp Arena. It may not count in the standings, but it will carry plenty of weight for a Kentucky team still learning how to play together, and for a Purdue team trying to prove why they’re the best team in the country.
For Pope, this is about growth, not perfection.
“This is what you want,” he said last week, “We need to be challenged. That’s how we grow,” he said last week.
Purdue’s Experience and Consistency
Purdue enters the season ranked No. 1 thanks to one of the most complete and experienced lineups in college basketball. The foundation starts in the backcourt with Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer.
Last season, Smith averaged 15.8 points, 8.7 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game, ranking among the nation’s most efficient floor generals. He shot 43% from the field and 38% from three, all while maintaining one of the best assist-to-turnover ratios in the Big Ten. Alongside him, Fletcher Loyer provides balance as a one of the best shooters in the country. Last season, the senior guard averaged 13.8 points per game while shooting 44% from beyond the arc.
In the frontcourt, Trey Kaufman-Renn and Oscar Cluff, bring elite experience. Last season, Backup big man Daniel Jacobsen, a 7’5 big man who impressed at USA Basketball’s junior minicamp, adds depth and long-term potential.
Kentucky Still Searching for Rhythm
Kentucky’s roster, meanwhile, remains a work in progress.
Junior point guard Jaland Lowe is still sidelined by a shoulder injury, and five-star forward Jayden Quaintance continues to recover from his ACL tear. Those absences have forced Pope to juggle rotations and rely on different combinations throughout preseason.
Otega Oweh returned to contact practices last week after missing weeks of practice with a turf-toe injury. He played limited minutes in the Blue-White scrimmage, finishing 1-for-6 from the field with two points, two rebounds, and a steal — signs of a player still regaining timing and rhythm.
“It’s just about getting his timing back,” Pope said. “Otega gives us toughness and a defensive edge. We’re not going to rush him, but he’s going to be a big part of what we do — especially in games like this.”
Without Lowe, Oweh’s defensive versatility and athleticism on the wing become even more valuable against Purdue’s disciplined guard play.
Young Wildcats Earning Trust
Two freshmen have used Kentucky’s early injuries to make statements of their own.
Trent Noah, a hometown product known for his elite shooting, has quickly earned Pope’s confidence. After winning the Blue-White three-point contest and showing consistent range in scrimmages, Noah’s ability to stretch the floor could be crucial against Purdue’s compact defense.
Then there’s Andrija Jelavic, the 6-foot-10 Croatian forward who arrived on campus in mid-August. Despite missing summer workouts, Jelavic has impressed with his instincts and shooting touch. He scored eight points on 2/3 shooting from deep in the Blue-White scrimmage — including a game-winning dunk in transition — and was also a finalist against Noah in the three-point contest at Big Blue Madness.
“Jelavic is still catching up physically, but you can see the instincts,” Pope said. “He moves the ball, makes the right reads, and he can stretch the floor. He’s going to help us.”
Photo Via @TWonderD on X/Twitter
Key Matchups to Watch
- Braden Smith vs. Denzel Aberdeen: The likely national player of the year facing up against the backup point-guard from a national champion.
- Fletcher Loyer vs. Otega Oweh: A great matchup for Kentucky that they will need to capitalize on.
- Oscar Cluff vs Brandon Garrison: An experienced mid-major transfer up against a former Mcdonald’s All-American who recently returned to Kentucky.
- Trey Kaufman-Renn vs. Mo Dioubate: A battle of two TOUGH defenders.
Mo Dioubate — Photo Via UKAthletics
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What Kentucky Needs to Show
This is less about winning and more about seeing how Kentucky handles adversity and execution with a shorthanded roster. Pope’s system is built on pace, ball movement, and spacing. All of which will be tested by Purdue.
“We’re still learning each other,” Pope said last week, “There’s going to be bumps, but I love this group’s competitiveness. They’re fighting.”
Mark Pope before the Blue-White Scrimmage — Photo Via UKAthletics
Friday’s exhibition won’t impact Kentucky’s records or statisitics, but it could reveal plenty about where Pope’s team stands in its development.
Purdue’s execution and experience will test Kentucky’s youth that will have to shine while shorthanded. The Wildcats, still missing key pieces, will counter with energy, depth, and the chance for several young players to seize their moment.
It’s only October, but this one already feels like a game that will tell us something real about who Kentucky is — and what it might become.
