Expectations are always high in Lexington, and this season is no different.
There’s no question that the Kentucky Wildcats team that will take the floor in the 2025-2026 season has the potential to win a national championship. They have the talent, and Mark Pope understands the assignment to bring a ninth national championship back to Lexington.
The Wildcats had a really good offseason, getting transfers that include Denzel Aberdeen from national championship-winning Florida and shot-blocking phenom Jayden Quaintance from Arizona State. They join Otega Oweh, Brandon Garrison, Collin Chandler, and Trent Noah to form a team that’s capable of cutting down the nets in October.
So, what does college hoops guru Jay Bilas think of this team?
“If they stay healthy and mature the way last year’s team did, this team’s got the talent to make some noise,” ESPN analyst Jay Bilas told KSR on this week’s episode of the Sources Say Podcast. “Now, do you put them up right away with Houston or Duke or Purdue or whatever? Maybe not.
“Maybe they’re a little bit further down the line. The product on the floor last year, I think, exceeded at least what my expectations were, and I can’t imagine that this year’s team is not going to do the same thing.”
So is it championship or bust for Kentucky this season?
“I get the championship or bust thing, and I know that’s the ultimate destination for the Kentucky players, the program, and certainly the fans,” Bilas said. “But even if that’s the ultimate destination and Kentucky didn’t reach it last year, I can’t imagine that, if you gave everybody truth serum in Big Blue Nation, that they didn’t love last season. It was a joyful year and so much fun to watch and be a part of.”
There’s no doubt Kentucky collectively has the level of talent to contend for a title. However, they will need to avoid the injury bug and get Jayden Quaintance fully back from ACL surgery to have a chance at reaching said potential.
Category: General Sports
