Kentucky fans have been waiting for any update on Jaland Lowe's status, and Mark Pope finally gave one, along with a surprising twist on how the team has handled his absence.
“I think short-term it has an impact,” Pope said. “I think long term it’s going to make us better.”
Pope explained that not having Jaland Lowe and Denzel Aberdeen early has forced the coaching staff to experiment with new lineups, combinations, and matchup-based wrinkles they may not have otherwise explored this early in the season.
“It it forces you to, you know, kind of dig under the hood and and explore a bunch of things,” Pope said. “Not having DA and and uh JLo forced us to kind of look at some things in different ways, which is going to help us in the long run. It really does. I mean, that's actually coach speak, but it's coach speak because it's true.”
Those lineups have not been great, Kentucky has looked lost offensively at times scoring 70 in the defeat against Georgetown with 20 made field goals but 15 turnovers. It looked better when Aberdeen rejoined the team against Nicholls State, but it still wasn't great.
The good news for BBN
So, when will Lowe make his debut? Pope gave the most positive update yet.
“I think so,” Pope said when asked if his debut is near. “You know, he'll have a full practice today. He's been really good the last couple days and so so I I hope so.” The Wildcats are figuring out their identity without one of their most versatile athletes and Pope is convinced that will pay off when the rotation is finally whole.
Kentucky will take on Valparaiso tonight on the SEC Network+ at 7 PM, so get your phones and tablets ready for another stream only game.
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