As Kentucky prepares to host No. 1 Purdue in Friday night's exhibition, injuries to key players Jaland Lowe (shoulder) and Jayden Quaintance (undisclosed) are forcing Mark Pope into early lineup experiments. This gives other Wildcats a prime opportunity to step up and make their case for minutes.
Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of how the rotation might look against the Boilermakers.
Kentucky basketball projected depth chart
Point Guard
With Lowe out, Collin Chandler likely gets the first crack at running the show. Known for his explosive athleticism and fearless drives, Chandler worked on his playmaking in the offseason. His three-point consistency and on-ball defense will be tested immediately. Expect Denzel Aberdeen, the steady transfer from Florida, to also see significant minutes handling the ball. His combo-guard versatility provides Pope with a reliable secondary option. Walker Horn also could see time with it being an exhibition.
Shooting Guard
Otega Oweh, the SEC Preseason Player of the Year candidate, is the unquestioned anchor here. A powerful downhill attacker and tenacious defender, Oweh is the team's emotional engine. True freshman Jasper Johnson brings offensive spark and versatility off the bench; if his defense continues to progress, he could earn major minutes quickly. Zach Tow may see minutes here or at the 3 depending on if Pope wants to get everyone involved.
Small Forward
Returner Trent Noah seems like a natural fit for early minutes. Experienced in Pope’s system from last season, Noah brings shooting, rebounding, and high basketball IQ. Kam Williams, a transfer known for his scoring prowess, will likely provide offensive punch off the bench as he builds chemistry within the system. Long, athletic freshman Braydon Hawthorne is an intriguing prospect who could see his role expand as the season goes on, but may only see limited minutes here.
Power Forward
Expect Mo Dioubate, the physical transfer from Alabama, to be tasked with anchoring the defense and hitting the glass. His motor and rebounding are his calling cards. Andrija Jelavic, the skilled Croatian freshman, offers offensive flair and floor-spacing but is still adjusting to the college game's physicality and pace. He's a potential breakout candidate as the season unfolds.
Center
With Quaintance sidelined, this is a massive opportunity for Brandon Garrison. The returning big man possesses elite defensive tools and athleticism. Behind him, freshman Malachi Moreno has impressed with his improved strength and rim protection. Reece Potter continues to develop and could see time with JQ out.
Pope will undoubtedly experiment heavily with lineups and rotations throughout this game. Friday night is less about finding a set starting five and more about discovering who can handle the pressure when the real games begin. This is the first step to ending a 10 year drought, and it can't come soon enough.
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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