2025-26 Roster Chatter (UPDATE: Oweh Returns, Roster Complete)

[UK Cowboys]

So, concerning the roster, does anyone expect anybody but Oweh to lead us in scoring?

I think he’s the safest bet.

With everyone on board, including a healthy JQ and Jelavic, I think Oweh, Lowe, Quaintance, and maybe Aberdeen are double digit scorers.

Oweh and Lowe for sure. That’s our top two, but I think Aberdeen- out of the shadows of Clayton, Richard, and Martin- will step up his scoring.

If JQ is 100%, then I think he’s going to score a little more than he did last season. He wasn’t really featured much offensively, so a new offense that features a big man prominently should help his numbers.

The final starting spot has me curious. I think it’s Dioubate’s spot to lose. But he’s never played more than 16 minutes per game, so I think his minutes go up and I’m guessing his scoring improves with more minutes. His defense is going to be there, so I think he is going to see more minutes.

But Garrison and/or Jelavic might be better offensive options than MD and that might limit his minutes.

Overall, I’m thinking we have four double digit scorers (OO, JL, JQ, and DA) with MD being in the 9-10 point range.

Thoughts on our leading scorers?

I think Chandler has a chance to. He had a great finish to last season and I expect a huge jump from him this year

[Catsrock]

I still say Oweh leads the scoring because I HOPE Lowe doesn’t HAVE to be so high volume. He took all the shots at Pitt because they had no other options. If he’ll take the good shots and pass on the bad ones I hope he shoots less but better.

I also hope Otega’s outside shot is smoother. Need to keep the D honest so that he can attack the rim.

[Catsrock]

I think Chandler has a chance to. He had a great finish to last season and I expect a huge jump from him this year

Agreed Chandler could and should have a really nice season. But personally I’d be really surprised if he’s our leading scorer for the season. Maybe a couple games when he’s feelin it.

[KentuckyWild2020]

Agreed Chandler could and should have a really nice season. But personally I’d be really surprised if he’s our leading scorer for the season. Maybe a couple games when he’s feelin it.

And Noah.

Not so sure Kam Williams immediately steps in takes Noah's minutes.

[KentuckyWild2020]

Pope's biggest challenge will be managing minutes and getting everyone to buy in on the same page.

[KCKUKFan]

No disrespect to either (I expect them both to be contributors), but if Noah and Chandler are leading scorers, then we're not going to end up where we want to at the end of the year.

It will be either Lowe or Oweh consistently.

Johnson, Dioubate, Aberdeen will all have some big scoring games that raise eyebrows. Williams, too, probably.

[KentuckyWild2020]

I'm not going to engage in this pointless debate with you again, but why do you think Oweh would play 2G in the NBA? He can't shoot.

There are countless great shooters that can't even crack a lineup in the league.

Maybe it's because you assume Oweh's niche is scoring and rightfully so, he can put the ball in the basket.

Oweh has the physical tools to be a good defender next level, the offense is just another bonus.If he can develop into a great defender, should match up well against other 2 guards across the league.

It's no like any team is going to draft him to put the ball in his hands and give him the greenlight to score, you know how the NBA works.

[KCKUKFan]

Maybe it's because you assume Oweh's niche is scoring and rightfully so, he can put the ball in the basket.

Oweh has the physical tools to be a good defender next level, the offense is just another bonus.If he can develop into a great defender, should match up well against other 2 guards across the league.

It's no like any team is going to draft him to put the ball in his hands and give him the greenlight to score, you know how the NBA works.

If you're going to play in 2G in the NBA, you better be able to shoot the ball.

Oweh's best chance in the NBA is to be a utility guy that can rebound and play defense.

[KentuckyWild2020]

No disrespect to either (I expect them both to be contributors), but if Noah and Chandler are leading scorers, then we're not going to end up where we want to at the end of the year.

It will be either Lowe or Oweh consistently.

Johnson, Dioubate, Aberdeen will all have some big scoring games that raise eyebrows. Williams, too, probably.

This ain't Pittsburgh and we don't need Lowe carrying the load and shooting 20 shots a game.


Im not sure Lowe is better than Johnson . Experience yes but Johnson has a ton more upside.

[KentuckyWild2020]

If you're going to play in 2G in the NBA, you better be able to shoot the ball.

Oweh's best chance in the NBA is to be a utility guy that can rebound and play defense.

Of course but mid range attacking the basket isn't completely dead.

Still, Oweh is more of a Marcus Smart type prospect in my opinion and yes Smart plays 1-3, mostly 2 and 3.

[KCKUKFan]

This ain't Pittsburgh and we don't need Lowe carrying the load and shooting 20 shots a game.


Im not sure Lowe is better than Johnson . Experience yes but Johnson has a ton more upside.

Mark Pope made an interesting point: Lowe had one of the worst shooting percentages in the country when he took "bad shots" last year. When he took "good shots," he had one of the best shooting percentages. Because he was one of the only good players on a dreadful team, he took a lot of bad shots. The calculus is that Pope can make him one of the most efficient scorers in the country this year, because the supporting cast will be a major upgrade.

If Jaland Lowe isn't a scorer and one of our two best players, then Kentucky isn't going to be what we want them to be, full-stop. The guy is absolutely essential to our success.

[KCKUKFan]

Of course but mid range attacking the basket isn't completely dead.

Still, Oweh is more of a Marcus Smart type prospect in my opinion and yes Smart plays 1-3, mostly 2 and 3.

Smart is probably a good model for Oweh to make an NBA roster.

[KentuckyWild2020]

Smart is probably a good model for Oweh to make an NBA roster.

Holy sh$$, we half way agree on something 😆 🤣 😂 😹

Laying all jokes aside. Calipari is gone and we have 12-13 players who can play.

Really nothing at all to complain about, I'm excited, can't wait.

[Cat9Lives]

Oweh is a dawg. I look for him to be the go to guy this year. We have lots of options though.

[UK Cowboys]

And Noah.

Not so sure Kam Williams immediately steps in takes Noah's minutes.

I think Noah, like Chandler, is being greatly overlooked