The annual Blue-White Game returned to Historic Memorial Coliseum, giving fans their first real look at both the Kentucky men’s and women’s basketball teams ahead of the upcoming season.
The event, held
annually, serves as a fan-favorite preview of what’s to come, featuring a mix of familiar faces and exciting newcomers taking the floor in a competitive yet family-like atmosphere. It’s a rare night where Kentucky fans get to cheer for everyone on the court, as both teams officially kick off a new chapter in their programs.
This year, all eyes were on second-year head coaches Mark Pope and Kenny Brooks. For Brooks and the Kentucky women’s team, the mission is clear: build on last year’s success and make a strong push toward a Sweet 16 appearance. With several key returners and promising transfers, expectations are high for the Wildcats.
Meanwhile, Pope’s men’s squad enters their second season with major ambitions. Following an offseason of strong recruiting and player development, Kentucky aims for a deep postseason run, with a possible Elite Eight or even a Final Four appearance.
Another bright spot for the men’s team was the return of Otega Oweh, who finally made his on-court debut after missing 10 weeks with a turf toe injury. His presence brings an added spark and depth to Kentucky’s backcourt as he looks to build on his strong play from last season.
For the men’s game, the White Team came away with a 43-32 win over the Blue Team. Jaland Lowe, Collin Chandler, Kam Williams, Mo Dioubate, and Brandon Garrison were the starters for the White Team. On the other side, Otega Oweh, Trent Noah, Denzel Aberdeen, Malachi Moreno, and Jasper Johnson started on the Blue Team.
Beyond the competition, the Blue-White Game remains a celebration of Kentucky basketball tradition, uniting fans, players, and coaches to set the tone for another exciting season in Lexington.
Kentucky Blue-White Game Takeaways
Kentucky Women’s Starting Five will be very tall
If Kenny Brooks’ projected starting five holds true, Kentucky women’s basketball will feature a tall, versatile lineup. Tonie Morgan and Jordan Obi are the only shorter players at 5’9” and 6’1”, while Amelia Hassett (6’4”), Teonni Key (6’5”), and Clara Strack (6’5”) give the Wildcats a major size advantage.
With that group, Kentucky could be tough to guard, using its length to dominate inside while still stretching the floor. Hassett isn’t afraid to shoot, averaging 5.4 three-point attempts and hitting 32.7% last season, which is impressive for her size.
Strack also showed potential from deep, averaging 2.4 attempts and shooting 24.4% from beyond the arc.
If both can improve their outside consistency, this lineup could be dangerous and stretch defenses while maintaining a powerful interior presence.
Bench Depth should not be an issue
Another key takeaway is that Kentucky women’s basketball appears to have more depth this season. Last year, Kenny Brooks relied on just seven players in the final game, which was a loss to Kansas State, but early signs show he’s opening up the rotation.
Asia Boone, Kaelyn Carroll, and Josie Gilvin all subbed in early, followed by Lexi Blue. Boone, a transfer from Liberty, brings proven shooting, where she shot 36.9% from three on 5.1 attempts per game. Carroll, a 4-star prospect from the class of 2025, stands at 6’2” and already looks comfortable knocking down outside shots.
Gilvin, who transferred from Western Kentucky University, could be an instant spark off the bench after averaging 13.1 points, 53.2% from the field, and 41.3% from three last season. Blue, meanwhile, is hoping for a bigger role after averaging 1.6 points in 9.2 minutes per game.
If Blue continues to develop and Brooks maintains a deeper rotation, Kentucky’s bench could be a real strength this season.
Tonie Morgan and Clara Strack are leading the way
Guard Tonie Morgan and forward Clara Strack led the way for Kentucky, each scoring 10 points. Many wondered if Morgan, a transfer from Georgia Tech, could bring her production to the SEC — and she certainly showed she can. She averaged 13.7 points per game in her final season with the Yellow Jackets.
Meanwhile, Strack picked up right where she left off last season. The returning forward averaged 15.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.4 blocks in 31.6 minutes per game while starting all 31 contests. It’s great to see her continuing that same level of play to start the new season.
Otega Oweh is back
It’s great to see Otega Oweh back on the court after missing 10 weeks with a turf toe injury that sidelined him for much of the offseason. The senior guard’s return is a major boost for Mark Pope’s Wildcats, who are aiming to build chemistry and momentum heading into the season.
Oweh emerged as one of Kentucky’s most consistent and dynamic players last year, averaging 16.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game while shooting 49.2% from the field and 35.5% from beyond the arc. His energy, physicality, and ability to create shots off the dribble make him one of the toughest guards to defend in the SEC.
Having Oweh back in the mix not only strengthens Kentucky’s backcourt depth but also gives Pope a proven scorer and leader who can set the tone on both ends of the floor. His competitive edge and experience will be crucial for a roster filled with new faces adjusting to Kentucky’s fast-paced style of play. If Oweh can return to form quickly, the Wildcats’ ceiling becomes even higher as they chase a deep postseason run.
Jaland Lowe is injured
Pitt transfer guard Jaland Lowe looked calm and composed during the Blue-White Game, showcasing his playmaking and scoring abilities. Entering his junior year, Lowe averaged 16.8 points, 5.5 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.8 steals at Pitt last season. While his efficiency was low, he only shot 37.6% from the field and 26.6% from three, which leaves room for improvement. The supporting cast and Oweh’s return should help him excel.
That is, if Lowe is actually on the floor.
During the scrimmage, Lowe collided with Otega Oweh and had to leave the court with a shoulder issue. He did not return, and the team medical staff was evaluating his shoulder to determine his availability for upcoming practices and games.
This will be a big storyline to watch in the coming days and potentially weeks.
3-point shooting won’t be a problem
One final takeaway from the Blue-White Game is that Kentucky’s three-point shooting looked very solid, despite early speculation about whether the roster could consistently knock down shots from deep. During the scrimmage, several players got in on the fun, including home-state guard Trent Noah, Jaland Lowe, Andrija Jelavic, Jasper Johnson, and others, all showing comfort and rhythm from beyond the arc.
If the Wildcats can carry this shooting performance into actual games, it could completely transform their offensive approach. It will also be interesting to see if Kentucky can finally reach the 35 three-point attempts per game that Mark Pope aimed for last season, a mark the team never hit. With multiple shooters stepping up early, the Wildcats have the potential to become one of the most dangerous perimeter teams in the SEC this year.
Conclusion
Overall, this should be an exciting season for both the Kentucky men’s and women’s basketball teams, with talented returners and promising newcomers ready to make an impact. Fans can hope to see deep NCAA Tournament runs from both squads, led by leaders like Tonie Morgan and Clara Strack on the women’s side, and Jaland Lowe and Otega Oweh in the men’s backcourt.
Depth will be a key factor this year. Kentucky appears to have enough talent on the bench to provide energy and scoring sparks when needed. Players like Asia Boone, Kaelyn Carroll, and Josie Gilvin for the women, and Noah and Johnson for the men, give both teams versatility and firepower.
If Brooks and Pope can maximize this depth while keeping their rotations fresh, Kentucky has a real chance to reach its goals. Fans will be watching closely to see if both teams can bring home an NCAA Championship this April, making this season one of the most anticipated in recent memory.
