Exhibition games are meant for learning, experimenting, and shaking off rust. Don't read too much into the final score, the coaches always say. But after Kentucky dismantled No. 1 Purdue 78-65 in Rupp Arena on Friday night, it's impossible not to feel a surge of excitement. The Cats rarely trailed, only allow Purdue to lead for just a minute all night long and taking an 8 point lead into halftime.
Forget the final score for a moment. The way Kentucky won sent the clearest message: this team has a physical edge and a competitive fire that could make them truly dangerous.
Wildcats body the Boilermakers
Purdue is renowned for its physicality, and built around physically punishing the other team. Yet, from the opening tip, it was Kentucky dictating the terms of engagement. The Wildcats were the aggressors, playing with a toughness that visibly bothered the Boilermakers.
As the SEC Network announcers noted repeatedly, Kentucky didn't just compete physically; they often dominated. They won the rebounding battle decisively (42-30), controlled the paint (36-26 points in the paint), and played with a swarming defensive intensity that held Purdue to a dismal 38.6% shooting from the field and a shocking 17.6% (3-of-17) from beyond the arc. Those kind of nights will help you overcome a cold night on offense.
Balanced attack and emerging stars
While Mark Pope undoubtedly used the game to tinker with lineups, several Wildcats stood out. Freshman Jasper Johnson led the way with 15 points off the bench, showcasing his scoring punch. Returners Otega Oweh and Trent Noah chipped in 10 points each, providing steady veteran presences.
Filling in for the injured Jaland Lowe, Denzel Aberdeen looked comfortable running the point, finishing with 9 points and a team-high 3 assists. The frontcourt rotation was particularly impressive. Mo Dioubate was a monster on the glass, grabbing a game-high 9 rebounds to go with 8 points, while freshman Malachi Moreno continued his strong preseason with 8 points and 4 rebounds, looking increasingly comfortable. Brandon Garrison added 7 points and 4 boards while battling Purdue's bigs.
A statement made, with perspective
Yes, it's only an exhibition. We don't know the exact game plans or how deep either coach went into their playbook. There will absolutely be things to clean up, Kentucky still had some pretty careless turnovers and shot only 69% from the free-throw line. That has to be better.
But the way Kentucky imposed its will physically against the nation's top-ranked team cannot be ignored. They played with a collective toughness and a balanced offensive approach (34 bench points) that overwhelmed Purdue for long stretches.
Winning is always better than losing, even when it doesn't count in the standings. More importantly, learning how to win against elite competition by playing a certain style is invaluable. Kentucky didn't just beat Purdue; they bullied them. And that's a fantastic foundation to build upon as the real season approaches.
Final stat leaders
- Scoring: Jasper Johnson (UK) - 15; Trey Kaufman-Renn (PUR) - 19
- Rebounding: Mo Dioubate (UK) - 9; Kaufman-Renn, Cluff, Jacobsen (PUR) - 5
- Assists: Denzel Aberdeen, Collin Chandler (UK) - 3; Braden Smith (PUR) - 5
- Team FG%: Kentucky - 49.2%; Purdue - 38.6%
- Team 3FG%: Kentucky - 31.0% (9-29); Purdue - 17.6% (3-17)
- Team Rebounds: Kentucky - 42; Purdue - 30
What are your biggest takeaways?
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