Is Kentucky’s starting 5 the best in the SEC? Let’s settle it.
Kentucky’s depth is the talk of the SEC this summer, with a 14-man roster loaded top to bottom. But when it comes down to it, you only get five guys on the floor at a time. So here’s the question: is Kentucky’s starting five the best in the conference?
Let’s start with the projected Wildcats starters:
- PG: Jaland Lowe – 16.8 PPG, 5.5 APG at Pitt
- SG: Otega Oweh – 16.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG in year 1 under Mark Pope
- SF: Kamari Williams – Versatile 6'7" wing with two-way potential
- PF: Mouhamed Dioubate – Physical rebounder, defensive glue guy
- C: Jayden Quaintance –Explosive and physical big man returning from an ACL injury
That’s a group with athleticism, length, toughness—and a rising star in Lowe who looks tailor-made for Pope’s offense. And a Senior Otega Oweh, that is pretty hard to beat.
Now compare that to Florida’s five:
- PG: Xavian Lee – Ivy League breakout at Princeton (17.2 PPG)
- SG: Boogie Fland – 5-star freshman scorer who left Arkansas, looking for a better year 2 in a new place.
- SF: Thomas Haugh – Glue guy who fits Golden’s system
- PF: Alex Condon – Smart, skilled forward with upside
- C: Rueben Chinyelu – Shot-blocking and rebounding force who plays like a machine
Florida’s five is smart and skilled—and they just won a nattyl. Lee and Fland could be dangerous, but will the pieces gel in time, a similar ask of Kentucky's 5. Like Kentucky they have just enough returners to help balance the new guys.
Then there’s Arkansas, the wild card under John Calipari:
- PG: Darius Acuff – Electric freshman scorer
- SG: DJ Wagner – Looking for a bounce-back year to finally get him into NBA circles after being the number 1 player in high school 3 years ago. Was better in year 2, could be a big jump in year 3.
- SF: Karter Knox – Shot-maker with deep range but lacked consistency at times.
- PF: Trevon Brazile – 6'10" matchup nightmare
- C: Maliq Irwin – 7-footer, raw but intriguing
Calipari has talent. But with three freshmen and Wagner still seeking consistency, it’s a volatile mix.
Bottom line? Kentucky’s five might not have the most hype—yet—but they’ve got the most balance. A proven point guard, elite defenders, size inside, and a clear identity under Mark Pope. If chemistry holds, they may just be the team to beat.
So who has the best roster? We think it is probably Kentucky 1-14 but things get more interesting when comparing the starting 5. What say you BBN? Are the Cats top dogs in the SEC heading into 2025? Or is it someone else?