Kentucky Basketball Bests Purdue Boilermakers In High-Profile Exhibition

Justin Rimpi

When the final buzzer sounded at Rupp Arena on Friday night, Kentucky had just handed No. 1 Purdue a 78-65 reality check. Sure, it was only an exhibition game, but tell that to the near-capacity crowd that roared “Go Big Blue” every time the Wildcats pushed the tempo.

This wasn’t just any preseason tune-up. This was Kentucky, playing without starting Point Guard Jaland Lowe and freshman Center Jayden Quaintance, absolutely dominating one of the most experienced teams in college basketball. The Wildcats ran, they pressed, they turned Purdue’s halfcourt offense into a disjointed mess. And they did it all with the kind of flair that makes you wonder if Mark Pope’s second year in Lexington might be something special.

Kentucky’s Depth Chart Just Got a Whole Lot More Interesting

The big storyline heading into this game was simple: How would Kentucky respond without Lowe, their primary ball-handler? The answer? Just fine, thank you very much.

Denzel Aberdeen slid into the starting point guard role and looked completely comfortable running the offense. He finished with 9 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists while showing the kind of poise you’d expect from a veteran, not a guy thrust into an unfamiliar position. Aberdeen is clearly better off the ball—and he’ll return to that role once Lowe is healthy—but his ability to handle those duties in a pinch gives Pope some serious flexibility.

Then there’s Jasper Johnson, the freshman who supposedly “slipped” in the rankings. Someone forgot to tell him. Johnson led all scorers with 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including 3-of-7 from beyond the arc. He didn’t just score, either. He attacked the rim with confidence, made smart passes, and generally looked like a guy who’s been doing this for years, not someone playing his first game in a Kentucky uniform. If Johnson keeps playing like this, Pope’s going to have a tough time keeping him on the bench. Which, honestly, is a pretty good problem to have.

This Team Can Really, Really Run

Kentucky’s tempo was relentless. The Wildcats pushed the ball at every opportunity, turning Purdue’s defensive attempts into cardio sessions. They outscored the Boilermakers 15-5 in fast-break points and controlled the glass 42-30, which is noteworthy considering rebounding was supposed to be a major focus for Purdue this offseason.

Mo Dioubate was a one-man wrecking crew in transition. The Alabama transfer finished with 8 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals, and his physical presence was felt on every possession. When Kentucky got out and ran, Dioubate was usually leading the charge or cleaning up on the offensive glass. He struggled with foul trouble—19 minutes played because of it—but when he was on the floor, he was a force.

Otega Oweh, who’s been mentioned for just about every preseason award imaginable, added 10 points, 3 rebounds, an assist, and a steal. After missing 10 weeks with a turf toe injury, Oweh looked healthy and engaged. He didn’t have to dominate because the roster around him is so deep, but when his number was called, he delivered.

The Shooting Will Come Around (Probably)

Let’s not sugarcoat it: Kentucky shot 9-of-29 from three-point range. That’s not great. But here’s the thing—they weren’t afraid to let it fly. Twenty-nine attempts from deep in an exhibition game show this team is committed to spacing the floor and playing the kind of modern, fast-paced offense Pope is known for.

Johnson led the way with seven attempts. Kam Williams, who was brought in specifically for his shooting ability, went 2-of-6. Denzel Aberdeen took five shots from deep and connected on one. Trent Noah shot 2-of-4, good for 50 percent. The volume is there. The makes will follow.

Pope’s system thrives on ball movement and open looks. As the team builds chemistry and gets more comfortable with the offense, those percentages should improve. And if they don’t? Well, Kentucky still won by 13 without shooting well, which is a pretty encouraging sign.

What This Means For the Rest of the Season

Exhibition games are tricky. They’re not supposed to mean much, but they also reveal a lot. And what Kentucky revealed on Friday night is that this team has the potential to be really, really good. They’re deep. They’re athletic. They can score in transition and in the halfcourt. They defend with intensity. And perhaps most importantly, they don’t seem fazed by the moment. Playing the No. 1 team in the country in front of a packed Rupp Arena should be intimidating. Instead, Kentucky looked comfortable, confident, and composed.

Once Lowe and Quaintance return, this roster will be even more dangerous. Lowe’s playmaking ability and court vision will take pressure off Aberdeen and Johnson. Quaintance’s size and athleticism will give Kentucky another dynamic option in the frontcourt. If they can stay healthy, the Wildcats have all the pieces to make a serious run at banner No. 9.

Final Thoughts

Purdue will be fine. They’re too experienced, too well-coached, and too talented not to be. Matt Painter intentionally schedules these kinds of exhibitions, Arkansas two years ago, Creighton last year, Kentucky this year, because he wants his team tested early. The Boilermakers will learn from this and adjust.

But for Kentucky, this was a statement. The Wildcats didn’t just beat the No. 1 team in the country. They controlled the game from start to finish, played with energy and purpose, and showed the college basketball world that they’re not rebuilding under Pope. They’re reloading. If Friday night is any indication of what’s to come, Big Blue Nation is in for one heck of a ride.

Justin has been a sportswriter for nearly a decade. He has previously written for 247 Sports an Sports Illustrated.

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