KSR GAMEDAY: Kentucky hosts No. 1 Purdue to begin exhibition play

This isn’t your great-grandparent, grandparent, parent or even slightly-older sibling’s basketball exhibition schedule. Gone are the days of wondering if Kentucky will double up an opponent’s score or chasing that golden goose of beating a team by 100 — the Wildcats have gotten close over the years in these games, which have been essentially meaningless. The recent La Familia scrimmages over the summer had been more impactful than any of these tune-up games, official exhibitions more about playing in front of Big Blue Nation and against live competition better described as practice dummies with TV timeouts and officials, a chance to tweak the rotation and work in depth pieces, at most.

How about a flip to the other extreme? Welcome to Rupp Arena, No. 1 Purdue, the Boilermakers led by one of the best coaches in the sport and two All-American talents as the preseason favorite to win it all. There is no greater challenge possible than the one Kentucky is set to take on tonight at 6 p.m. ET. Mark Pope called it a “gift” from the NCAA to allow high-profile exhibitions, and he’s exactly right. In the wise words of an old friend, you truly either win or learn in a matchup like this, one that doesn’t impact your record or resume. It’s nothing more than a house-money test against the best of the best for bragging rights, a better measuring stick and starting point for both top-ten teams than any coach or media member voting on preseason polls can come up with. Win or lose, fun is guaranteed tonight at Rupp Arena, and that’s a rare thing.

Let’s dig in, shall we?

Mark Pope expects Purdue’s best — and the Boilermakers will get the same in return

Just how good is this Purdue team, which earned 35 of 61 first-place votes in the Preseason AP Poll? Pope says the collection of elite talent and coaching is unmatched in the sport right now, bringing back serious postseason experience while adding new intriguing pieces to contend at the top of the sport once again.

“This is an incredibly, incredibly, incredibly important data collection moment for us, and it’s unbelievable that we get to do this against this Purdue team and Matt Painter. If he’s not the best coach in college basketball, he’s got to be right up there in the top two or three or four right now. He’s incredible,” he said. “… How often do you get to go test yourselves before the season even starts with the lights on against a team that’s composed of three guys that have been to a national championship game and been to a Sweet 16? … They’ve experienced everything and they’ve been together and they’ve built such a great program.”

That doesn’t mean his Cats are showing up for a participation trophy.

“This group is — they’re just hardwired that way. They’re going to try and win.”

Will Jaland Lowe play?

The short answer is no, which stinks, obviously. It was a chance for two of the best point guards in college basketball to trade haymakers, leading two Final Four favorites. Braden Smith will play for Purdue, but Jaland Lowe, unfortunately, will not.

That’s the only bad news that came from Pope’s update on Lowe ahead of the exhibition. Everything else indicates his absence will not extend too much further.

“Doing good,” he said Thursday. “(Lowe’s) recovery has been epically fast. He’s feeling really good. He was back shooting yesterday, full speed. We’ll probably keep him out of live contact for at least another week, just to make sure. He’s a massively important part of this season so we want to make sure he’s healthy.”

When asked about how this injury compares to Lamont Butler’s recurring shoulder issue last season, Pope said that his situation was about pain tolerance. Lowe has none.

“Jaland was actually pain-free really, really quickly,” Pope added.

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Painter announces starting lineup vs. Kentucky

Who will be the first five on the floor for the Boilermakers? Painter confirmed his starters while adding Purdue “has more than five starters” with guys willing to “sacrifice for the greater good.”

Three are obvious — two All-Americans and a fourth-year starter — but who are the other two?

• PG – Braden Smith (senior)
• SG – CJ Cox (sophomore)
• SF – Fletcher Loyer (senior)
• PF – Trey Kaufman-Renn (senior)
• C – Oscar Cluff (senior)

As for Kentucky, Pope didn’t reveal his first five on Thursday, but a little birdie tells KSR to expect Denzel Aberdeen, Otega Oweh, Trent Noah, Mo Dioubate and Brandon Garrison are the favorites.

Cats are throwing a Postgame Party

If you’re coming to the game (or just want to be around Rupp for the fun of it), make sure you check out Kentucky’s first-ever Postgame Party right outside the building.

It’ll start around halftime through the final buzzer and a couple hours after from 7-10 p.m. ET outside the Vine Street entrance (across from Triangle Park). The event is free to the public, but food and beverage concessions will be available for purchase. The biggest surprise? Owensboro native Cam Thompson, described as a “rising force” in the country music scene, will be performing live and debuting his new single, “Lexington.”

How are we feeling about Cats and Vols?

Yes, a football game will also be played this weekend in Lexington — a big one, admittedly. We hate everything orange to the depths of our souls around here at KSR HQ, so any chance to beat Tennessee is welcomed.

That doesn’t mean vibes are good, however. Reports of Mark Stoops’ future as head coach coming to a close sooner rather than later are ramping up, the latest from Justin Rowland of Cats Illustrated indicating an in-season move as early as this weekend is on the table. Is he coaching for his job or just counting down the weeks (and counting up the buyout dollars going in his pocket)? Is he coaching for another job, potentially? We’re in head-on-a-swivel season, as Adam Luckett likes to say.

Kentucky is currently an 8.5-point underdog at Kroger Field, according to our friends at BetMGM. One way or another, the result is going to make a statement and help decide the future of the football program in Lexington.

Big changes on the Availability Report

Who will be on the field in that big-time matchup on Saturday? We know standout DB DJ Waller Jr. will not be, downgraded from doubtful to out. In total, eight players have been ruled out with three more listed as questionable — including star RB Seth McGowan.

KENTUCKY’S AVAILABILITY REPORT

OUT

• WR Troy Stellato
• CB DJ Waller Jr.
• RB Jamarion Wilcox
• OLB Jacob Smith
• LB Devin Smith
• DL Nic Smith
• WR David Washington Jr.
• TE Elijah Brown

QUESTIONABLE

• RB Seth McGowan
• WR Fred Farrier II
• OL Aba Selm

PROBABLE

• DL Kahlil Saunders

How are things looking on the other side?

TENNESSEE’S AVAILABILITY REPORT

OUT

• DB Rickey Gibson III
• WR Travis Smith Jr.
• DB Jermod McCoy

QUESTIONABLE

• TE Ethan Davis
• WR Radarious Jackson
• LB Arion Carter
• LB Ben Bolton

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First up, though, Kentucky vs. Purdue. We’ll worry about the other stuff tomorrow.

Let’s have a weekend, folks. Go Cats, always and forever.