You learn a lot about a team's culture by watching its bench, especially during adversity. When Mark Pope was asked who stood out in Kentucky’s impressive exhibition win over No. 1 Purdue, his answer wasn't the leading scorer or rebounder.
It was injured guard Jaland Lowe, who didn't play a single second.
Leadership beyond the court
“I thought our bench was elite. I think Jaland Lowe was unbelievable on the bench,"Pope stated emphatically postgame. “I thought Jaland Lowe was, you know, he'd be my probably my second player of the game. He was unbelievable on the bench. Uh keeping guys in the occasion talking.”
While players like Jasper Johnson (15 points), Otega Oweh (10 points), Trent Noah (10 points), and Mo Diabate (8 points, 9 rebounds) made the box score impact, Pope highlighted Lowe's contribution as equally vital. In street clothes, Lowe remained intensely engaged, calling out defensive rotations, encouraging teammates after mistakes, and providing constant vocal energy from the sideline.
A reflection of culture and buy-in
That level of engagement from an injured player, especially a transfer still new to the program, speaks volumes about the culture Pope is cultivating. It underscores the "in it for each other" mentality he consistently preaches. Leadership, in this system, isn't defined by minutes played or points scored, but by commitment to the team's success in whatever role possible.
“I thought our staff was really good uh on the bench communicating and that's we're going to need that,” Pope added, emphasizing the collective effort. “Like there's going to be a lot of this... we're going to have to overcome adversity.”
Lowe’s passionate support from the sideline wasn't just performative; it was a genuine display of buy-in. It set a powerful example for what active engagement looks like, reinforcing the idea that every player has a role in contributing to the team's energy and focus, whether they're on the court or not. When a key player leads this effectively without even dribbling a ball, it signals something special might be brewing.
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Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion