INSTANT ANALYSIS: No. 9 Kentucky handles No. 1 Purdue in Rupp exhition

NCAA Basketball: Exhibition-Purdue at Kentucky — Oct 24, 2025; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jasper Johnson (2) brings the ball up court against Purdue Boilermakers guard Gicarri Harris (24) during the second half at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

No matter how many times you tell the Big Blue Nation to tap the brakes or remember it’s an exhibition, tonight’s outcome ensures that enthusiasm will start to spill over.

The Wildcats didn’t have Jaland Lowe or Jayden Quaintance and Otega Oweh is just getting back into action after missing time on the court. Kentucky still handled Purdue 78-65 in Friday night’s first exhibition game of the preseason for the Wildcats.

Freshman Jasper Johnson scored 15 points on 6/10 shooting to pace Kentucky in scoring. There was characteristic scoring balance and Kentucky’s length impacted the vaunted Purdue offense.

We’ll be breaking down the exhibition from a variety of angles throughout the weekend and into next week but for now read our Instant Analysis at the House of Blue.

Read and discuss: Instant Analysis of Kentucky’s 78-65 win against Purdue