Kentucky’s preseason exhibition against Purdue offered more than just a victory. While the Wildcats defeated the Boilermakers 78–65, Mark Pope’s postgame press conference highlighted what’s shaping up to be a great season for his young team. From development to chemistry, Pope’s comments highlight that this Kentucky teams trajectory isn’t measured based off of points or rebounds; it’s about growth, and learning to thrive together.
Collin Chandler Dunk — Mandatory Photo Credit: Indystar
Chemistry and Growth
Pope emphasized that the Wildcats’ ability to stay “in [it] for each other” will be central to success:
“As much as we can just stay in this for each other, we have a chance to be a good team. And so I’m super proud of them,”
He was especially proud of how the players responded to mistakes:
“Next play, next play… those guys did that brilliantly. We had a bunch of plays where guys just moved on the next play pretty well. That’s going to be important for us all year long.”
Mandatory Photo Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
Jasper Johnson’s is ELITE
Freshman guard Jasper Johnson made a strong case for being a lottery pick in his unofficial Kentucky debut. Pope praised him for embracing Kentucky’s system while still showcasing his unique talents:
“I’m really proud of Jasper because he is trying so hard to learn what we do. He’s got a very unique skill set. He has committed himself to trying to do what we do and then letting that part of him that he brings to the game come out through it.”
On the court, Jasper played 19 minutes, scoring 15 points on 6/10 shooting, whilst added 3 assists and 1 steal. Pope was also impressed with how he and the other young guards stepped up in Jaland Lowes absence due to his shoulder injury last friday in the Blue-White Scrimmage:
“Jasper , Otega, Denzel and Collin combined for 10 assists and only 4 turnovers tonight… I thought they were good, handled it well.”
Pope also highlighted Johnson’s ability to handle pressure in the paint and make plays for teammates:
Malachi had a really important play for him… we encouraged our bigs to attack the no-gap pressure and he did. He got all the way down the rim, bullied his way all the way down, and finished with a nice left-hand finish.”
Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
Collin Chandler’s Silent Impact
Sophomore guard Collin Chandler may have scored just 1 point in the game, but Pope argued his contribution was far more significant, so much so that he was the MVP today:
“He was the highlight for the whole game for me. I would give him the MVP of the game… He had two elite-level weight in the corner, full-speed cuts where he hit the roll late that just broke it open.”
Chandler’s stat line of 2 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists in less than 16 minutes proved he could impact the game without having to dominate the in the scoring colulm. Pope highlighted Chandler’s how sometimes you need guys to do the dirty work and understand their role:
“That’s what we need. We need to champion it, take pride in it, and he was unbelievable. Good things are going to happen when he’s on the floor.”
Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
Mo Dioubate’s Energy and Physicality
Mo Dioubate, the former Alabama forward brought the kind of energy and physicality Pope has raved about this entire offseason:
“He just plays with all his guts spilling out all over the floor. He plays hard, and he’s got a lot of fans in my own family right now… I thought he was great tonight.”
Against Purdue, Dioubate logged 19:21 minutes with 8 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 assist. Pope noted that Dioubate’s relentless play helps the team sustain pace and intensity:
[H]e plays hard and it’s contagious. That’s what we’re trying to create.”
Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
Malachi Moreno’s Growth
Freshman forward Malachi Moreno also earned high praise for his performance tonight; on his birthday.
“He’s got a chance to grow into a really special player. He’s got a lot of work to do, he’s got so much growth ahead of him, but he has a chance to have a massive impact on this game.”
Moreno contributed 8 points and 4 rebounds in 22 minutes, looking like a potential starter due to the absence of Jayden Quaintance. Pope discussed his ability to respond to the adversity against some of Purdues elite bigs. Staying composed, and making the right plays:
“He didn’t give up… he chased the ball without fouling, did it legally, and made a key play late in the half.”
Leadership
Pope was equally enthusiastic about the contributions from the bench and leadership off the floor. Despite sitting out due to his shoulder injury, Jaland Lowe received significant praise for his vocal leadership:
“Jaland Lowe was unbelievable on the bench, keeping guys in the occasion talking.” Pope also stressed the importance of thingsl like team communication, crediting associate head coach Alvin Brooks: “[He’s] probably the leader in all of basketball… he grades our team every single day… It shows in postgame, and we’re going to be really successful if we can love each other.”
Learning from the Exhibition
While the Wildcats’ victory was by a landside, Pope acknowledged areas for improvement.
“We didn’t shoot the ball particularly well tonight… We have to get way better at navigating traffic away from the ball… We had a tough time being there on the catch.” Still, Pope found positives in the team’s resilience and effort: “It was probably the most fun exhibition game I’ve ever been a part of.”
Kentucky’s first glimpse against top competition shows this team has the talent, chemistry, and potential to do great things; even while shorthanded. Pope’s comments highlighted that his squad is defined not just by stats, but by how they grow and support one another. The Cats have work to do, but the foundation led by Jasper Johnson, Collin Chandler, Mo Dioubate, and Malachi Moreno is something that is very special.
