If there was any lingering doubt about Kentucky’s talent level heading into the season, one NBA scout just erased it.
'Two of everything'
“I expect them to be one of the best teams in the country,” the scout told KSR’s Jack Pilgrim. “They have as much depth as any team we’ll see this season. I call them Noah’s Ark because they have two of everything.”
Nine Wildcats are reportedly on that scout’s draft radar, that means nearly the entire 2 deep is being looked at by NBA teams. That’s staggering depth, and it tells the story of a roster built not just for the SEC, but for March too.
A modern-day platoon system
When Braydon Hawthorne is your 13th man, it means your top 12 could play anywhere. Some won’t see 25 minutes a night, but the sum of the parts might be greater than any individual.
If Otega Oweh and Jaland Lowe go cold, Kam Williams and Trent Noah can step in. If the guards struggle, Jayden Quaintance and Brandon Garrison dominate the paint. And if you need shooting or versatility, Andrija Jelavic and Collin Chandler can stretch defenses and guard multiple spots. It’s a modern version of the 2015 platoon team, deep, unselfish, and relentless. Just have to hope the season ends a bit better this year.
The return of championship expectations
Everyone always says Kentucky basketball is championship or bust, one anonymous coach said Mark Pope would be a "bozo" to not win a title at Kentucky. That's not entirely fair though, as winning the tournament is not always down to just being the best team. Sometimes it is luck or the draw of the tournament itself. But the financial advantage is there, the coaching seems to be there, now it just has to play out on the court.
KenPom backs up the optimism, ranking Kentucky No. 4 overall with elite efficiency on both ends. The analytics say championship potential. The NBA says pro-level depth.
For Kentucky, that combination means one thing: expectations are back where they belong.
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