Kentucky Wildcats: Which Players Will Shine on Offense and Defense in 2025–26?
Year one of the Mark Pope era gave Kentucky basketball fans plenty of excitement—but also plenty of frustration. The Wildcats were among the nation’s most explosive offensive teams, but on the defensive side, they couldn’t find consistency. That imbalance cost them in big moments, reminding everyone that championship teams can’t rely on offense alone.
This offseason, Coach Pope made it clear he wasn’t going to let that happen again. He hit the transfer portal, scoured the international scene, and reshaped his roster with one major goal: balance. He wanted players who could guard as well as they score, giving Kentucky the chance to rank near the top nationally in both categories.
Why does this matter? History tells us that teams with top-15 rankings in both offense and defense on KenPom are often in position to win it all. That’s the model Pope is aiming for. And based on early analytics, the Wildcats may be closer than ever to reaching that level.
Analytics site EvanMiya.com recently released ratings for each Kentucky player, offering an early projection of who could stand out on each end of the court.
Offensive Leaders
The Wildcats were already dangerous offensively, and Pope’s system ensures that won’t change. According to EvanMiya’s ratings, here are the top five offensive weapons heading into the season:
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Jaland Lowe: 3.49
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Otega Oweh: 2.88
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Brandon Garrison: 2.87
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Mo Dioubate: 2.56
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Jasper Johnson: 1.63
The standout here is Jaland Lowe, who sits comfortably at the top. Lowe’s ability to control the pace and score efficiently gives Kentucky a floor general who can keep the offense humming. Otega Oweh and Brandon Garrison bring versatility, both capable of finishing inside and hitting tough shots.
But perhaps the most intriguing storyline is Denzel Aberdeen. His rating (1.32, 10th on the team) doesn’t scream “offensive star,” but numbers don’t tell the full story. At Florida last season, Aberdeen flashed the ability to put points on the board quickly, even in limited minutes. Now stepping into a larger role in Lexington, he has the chance to surprise everyone and become one of the Wildcats’ most reliable scorers.
Defensive Leaders
Defense is where Kentucky has the most to prove—and where Pope’s roster upgrades could pay off the most. EvanMiya’s top five defenders are:
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Jayden Quaintance: 3.96
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Mo Dioubate: 3.56
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Otega Oweh: 3.48
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Brandon Garrison: 2.89
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Jaland Lowe: 1.87
The numbers highlight Jayden Quaintance as Kentucky’s defensive anchor. His length, timing, and ability to guard multiple positions give the Wildcats a true difference-maker on that end of the court. Alongside him, Mo Dioubate and Otega Oweh bring toughness and energy, ensuring Kentucky won’t get pushed around like they sometimes did last year.
One surprising name, however, is Collin Chandler. Despite proving late last season that he can be a lockdown defender, Chandler’s rating was just 0.32, ranking 12th on the team. That figure almost certainly underrates his ability. Expect Chandler to prove the analytics wrong and emerge as a defensive weapon for Pope.
Analytics vs. Reality
It’s important to remember: these ratings are computer-generated. They don’t account for chemistry, player development, or the intangibles that often decide games in March. For example, Aberdeen’s offensive potential and Chandler’s defensive upside don’t show up properly in the numbers.
Still, the overall takeaway is clear—this Kentucky team is built to be balanced. And if that balance translates on the court, the Wildcats won’t just be fun to watch—they’ll be serious national title contenders.
Big Picture for the Wildcats
Coach Pope has always preached playing both ends of the floor with the same intensity. After an offseason of targeted recruiting, he finally has the roster to back it up. With a mix of scoring threats, defensive stoppers, and versatile athletes, Kentucky could have the two-way firepower to make a deep NCAA Tournament run.
If the Wildcats finish the season with both a top-15 offense and defense in KenPom—as Pope and his staff hope—history suggests Big Blue Nation may have reason to dream about banner No. 9.
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