Expectations are sky-high for this Kentucky Wildcats team heading into the 2025-2026 season.
So much so that, aside from the goal of winning the ninth national championship on program history, this Wildcats
team is capable of winning 30 games.
That’s according to ESPN’s Myron Metcalf, who believes Kentucky is one of 17 teams that can win that many games this season.
Metcalf writes this on the Wildcats:
“Mark Pope has assembled a squad with depth he didn’t have a season ago. Injuries limited the potential of the Wildcats who still reached the second weekend of the NCAA tournament. With SEC preseason Player of the Year Otega Oweh leading the way and former Pitt star Jaland Lowe running the show at point guard, Kentucky can build on that accomplishment and chase 30-plus wins. The eventual return of projected lottery pick Jayden Quaintance, who tore his right ACL in February, will boost those odds,“ wrote Metcalf.
For what it’s worth, KenPom currently has the Cats finishing the regular season at 24-7. That would leave six more wins needed in the SEC and NCAA Tournament to reach 30+ wins.
Lowe is not yet back from a shoulder injury sustained in the Blue-White Game on October 17th. Quaintance is hopefully returning soon.
The only other SEC team Metcalf believes can win 30 games is Florida. Kentucky and Florida will play this regular season on Valentine’s Day and on Saturday, March 7th.
Let’s hope this prediction comes to pass, as it would likely mean a special season is in store for Big Blue Nation!
