The Kentucky Wildcats stormed past the Purdue Boilermakers in one of the most highly anticipated exhibition games in college basketball history.
Although this win won’t go on the official record for the Kentucky Wildcats, it definitely gave the entire BBN faithful a lot to look forward to in the 2025-26 campaign as they impressed from start to finish over the preseason-ranked #1 Purdue Boilermakers 78-65. The Wildcats looked like a force to be reckoned with despite being down starting point guard Jaland Lowe and projected 2026 lottery pick sophomore sensation Jayden Quaintance.
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The Wildcats were led by their true freshman Lexington native, Jasper Johnson, as he finished with 15 points and three assists. Senior leader Otega Oweh and sophomore Kentucky native Trent Noah also finished tied in scoring with 10 each against the Boilermakers Friday night. True freshman and Kentucky native also looked far ahead of schedule as he finished with 8 points and four boards against the veteran frontcourt of Purdue.
The Wildcats also reigned supreme on the defensive end, giving Purdue’s backcourt, which consisted of Braeden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, and C.J. Cox, major fits around the perimeter for the majority of the night. The Wildcats are back in action Thursday night as they welcome the Georgetown Hoyas to Rupp Arena in their exhibition finale.
Who impressed in the Wildcats’ surging win over #1 Purdue?
Jasper Johnson
The Lexington native and true freshman guard Jasper Johnson stole the show in his unofficial Kentucky debut as he not only went for 15 points, but also hit three triples and dished out three assists. He also showed lots of promise on the defensive end, which was a major question mark all summer going into the season. A lot of folks thought it would take a lot of patience and time before he forms into his complete self, and it still might, but Friday night also showed that it shouldn’t be surprising if Johnson ends up having a short stint in Lexington when it’s all said and done.
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Malachi Moreno
Another true freshman and Kentucky native, Malachi Moreno, also looked further along than a lot of people would’ve thought at this stage, as he held his ground against one of the best frontcourts in the country in Purdue and finished with 8 points and four boards on his 19th birthday. It seems like, in the wake of Jayden Quaintance’s early absence, Moreno will have an expanded role at the five and might even have a good chance at starting in some games throughout the season.
Collin Chandler
While he only finished with two points, Collin Chandler was a menace all over the floor Friday night as he had five boards and ended up dishing out three assists. The sophomore guard was very active defensively for most of the night as well, and that was a major weakness for him in his freshman campaign. We can’t forget about that spectacular dunk either, but it seems that we will see more and more of his improvement as he will also have an expanded role off the bench this season.
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Trent Noah
There’s been high praise for the sophomore Kentucky native, not only from the coaches but from his teammates all summer. Although it was an exhibition game, Trent Noah earned his first start in a Kentucky uniform Friday night, and he finished the contest with 10 points, which included a couple of treys. While he didn’t get a lot of minutes last season, look for him to be one of Kentucky’s key contributors off the bench this season.
Mo Dioubate
Alabama transfer and junior forward Mo Dioubate didn’t back down once as he imposed his will inside the paint the whole night against #1 Purdue. He finished with 8 points, nine boards, and had two blocks as well. Dioubate was a mismatch nightmare for the Wildcats in all three meetings in the 2024-25 campaign as his physicality gave the Cats all sorts of fits.
The Wildcats have been missing that type of competitor and dog for quite some time, and I think all of BBN is overly glad that he’s on the blue side this time around.
