Ben Roberts
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Ben Roberts
@benrobertshl.bsky.social
Kentucky men's basketball beat writer for the Lexington Herald-Leader and Kentucky.com. Beyond the Arc newsletter.

Latest stories: https://www.kentucky.com/profile/218560050
Pinned
UK basketball fans have a lot of questions about NIL.

I've spent the past few months tracking down some answers. Here's an exhaustive, inside look at the Wildcats' NIL operation, which has resulted in a payroll of more than $20 million for the 2025-26 team.

Story: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
How Kentucky basketball is benefiting from the massive changes to NIL rules
We answer your questions about how much money Kentucky basketball players get paid, new NIL rules, changes in recruiting and much more.
www.kentucky.com
There was an exchange between Kentucky's Jaland Lowe and Mo Dioubate that the TV cameras didn't catch Saturday. They both talked to me about it, and both view it as a healthy part of the chemistry-building process for this team.

Mark Pope seems to agree.

Story: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
Kentucky players are bickering on the basketball court. Is that a good thing?
There were verbal spats during Kentucky’s loss to Alabama. Mark Pope and some top UK players address what happened.
www.kentucky.com
January 7, 2026 at 3:23 PM
Kentucky isn't the only preseason darling that has struggled to live up to expectations during this college basketball season.

And some unexpected teams are at or near the top of the rankings.

Story: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
This college basketball season hasn’t gone by the script. It’s not just Kentucky
Kentucky is now 37th in the AP Top 25 voting after a 9-5 start to this season. Other preseason darlings have it even worse.
www.kentucky.com
January 6, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Should Jaland Lowe be starting for Kentucky?

There are pros and cons, but it's undeniable that Lowe brings something to this UK team that other teammates simply can't, and Mark Pope has acknowledged that he's thinking about a change.

Story: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
Jaland Lowe isn’t starting for the Kentucky Wildcats. Should Pope make a change?
Kentucky is starting games with its best playmaker on the bench. And UK’s offense is looking stagnant against good teams.
www.kentucky.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:42 PM
Final story from Alabama ...

Mark Pope finally has his full roster. That clearly won't be enough to compete with the SEC's best. Not yet, at least. www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
Kentucky’s Mark Pope needs more than a healthy roster. And Alabama just proved it
Even with Jayden Quaintance and Jaland Lowe in the lineup, the Kentucky Wildcats were beaten badly by No. 14 Alabama on Saturday.
www.kentucky.com
January 3, 2026 at 10:50 PM
NEW: The first SEC injury report of the season is out.

Kentucky is full go, with Jaland Lowe and Jayden Quaintance not even listed on the report. Six Alabama players are listed, including the SEC's leading scorer.

Story: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
Kentucky and Alabama have both been missing key players. Who’s playing Saturday?
The first SEC injury report if 2026 has been posted. Here’s what it says heading into Kentucky’s game at No. 14 Alabama on Saturday.
www.kentucky.com
January 3, 2026 at 1:25 AM
Everybody was excited about Jayden Quaintance's debut.

He thinks he can be a whole lot better. Talking with JQ about that explosive first game for Kentucky on Saturday and what's coming next: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
Jayden Quaintance starred in his Kentucky debut. Here’s his plan for what’s next
Kentucky forward Jayden Quaintance made a major impact in his first game back from major knee surgery. Here’s his outlook moving forward.
www.kentucky.com
December 23, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Reposted by Ben Roberts
"I’m really proud of Mark. I think he’s done a brilliant thing."

Mark Pope doesn't seem entirely convinced of it just yet, but Rick Pitino sees a specific direction for this Kentucky basketball team, and the Hall of Fame coach thinks it's a winning formula.

Story: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
Rick Pitino has an interesting idea about how this UK basketball season might go
The former Kentucky head coach praised Mark Pope and looked ahead to what the 2025-26 Wildcats might become.
www.kentucky.com
December 22, 2025 at 2:00 PM
"I’m really proud of Mark. I think he’s done a brilliant thing."

Mark Pope doesn't seem entirely convinced of it just yet, but Rick Pitino sees a specific direction for this Kentucky basketball team, and the Hall of Fame coach thinks it's a winning formula.

Story: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
Rick Pitino has an interesting idea about how this UK basketball season might go
The former Kentucky head coach praised Mark Pope and looked ahead to what the 2025-26 Wildcats might become.
www.kentucky.com
December 22, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Reposted by Ben Roberts
Final from Atlanta ...

Pope vs. Pitino was supposed to be the story of this one. And then Jayden Quaintance made his debut. And now this looks like a totally different Kentucky basketball team.

www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
Pope vs. Pitino was supposed to be the story. Jayden Quaintance stole the show
Kentucky’s top NBA prospect made his debut, and the Wildcats showed what they can be in a 78-66 victory over St. John’s.
www.kentucky.com
December 20, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Reposted by Ben Roberts
My column: At last, Mark Pope had his whole roster - and, suddenly, his coaching looked a lot wiser www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-c...
At last, Mark Pope had his whole roster — and the UK coach looked a lot wiser
Boosted by injury returnees Jayden Quaintance and Jaland Lowe, Kentucky rallies past No. 22 St. John’s 78-66 in the CBS Sports Classic.
www.kentucky.com
December 20, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Final from Atlanta ...

Pope vs. Pitino was supposed to be the story of this one. And then Jayden Quaintance made his debut. And now this looks like a totally different Kentucky basketball team.

www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
Pope vs. Pitino was supposed to be the story. Jayden Quaintance stole the show
Kentucky’s top NBA prospect made his debut, and the Wildcats showed what they can be in a 78-66 victory over St. John’s.
www.kentucky.com
December 20, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Reposted by Ben Roberts
Simply put, Kentucky basketball is a different team when Jaland Lowe is running the show.

And everybody — from Mark Pope to Rick Pitino to Jayden Quaintance – admitted as much after Lowe's stirring second-half showing on Saturday against St. John's: ⬇️
www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
‘Changes everything we do.’ Jaland Lowe shows value in vital UK basketball win
After reinjuring his right shoulder, Jaland Lowe put together a strong second-half showing in Kentucky basketball’s win over St. John’s.
www.kentucky.com
December 20, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Reposted by Ben Roberts
Kentucky basketball fans are familiar with Bruce Pearl from his 17 seasons coaching in the SEC.

Now, they’ll get to know him in a new capacity.

Pearl is now a CBS broadcaster.

Last night, I spoke with him ahead of his first game in that role: UK vs. St. John’s. ⬇️
www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
After moving to the broadcast table, Bruce Pearl talks Kentucky basketball
Former college basketball coach Bruce Pearl is now a CBS broadcaster. Pearl will be on the call for Kentucky’s game against St. John’s.
www.kentucky.com
December 19, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Reposted by Ben Roberts
Asked Mark Pope this morning if he was leaving the door open for Jayden Quaintance to make his UK debut vs. St. John's.

"We'll see."

More from Pope on JQ Watch, as the Cats get ready to battle Rick Pitino's team in Atlanta on Saturday: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
Mark Pope leaves the door open for Jayden Quaintance to debut vs. St. John’s
Kentucky’s coach said more about Jayden Quaintance, a likely NBA lottery pick, and the possibility that he will join the Cats’ lineup soon.
www.kentucky.com
December 18, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Reposted by Ben Roberts
"I know what’s going to come with it. I know teams are going to set screens on my right side. Might play a little dirty, try and pull (my arm), whatever."

Jaland Lowe on playing with a bum shoulder that will never be 100% this season, and how he's dealing with it: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
Jaland Lowe knows teams might play him ‘a little dirty.’ He’s dealing with it
Kentucky’s injured point guard came up big against Indiana. He’s learning what he needs to do to stay on the court moving forward.
www.kentucky.com
December 18, 2025 at 8:48 PM
"I know what’s going to come with it. I know teams are going to set screens on my right side. Might play a little dirty, try and pull (my arm), whatever."

Jaland Lowe on playing with a bum shoulder that will never be 100% this season, and how he's dealing with it: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
Jaland Lowe knows teams might play him ‘a little dirty.’ He’s dealing with it
Kentucky’s injured point guard came up big against Indiana. He’s learning what he needs to do to stay on the court moving forward.
www.kentucky.com
December 18, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Asked Mark Pope this morning if he was leaving the door open for Jayden Quaintance to make his UK debut vs. St. John's.

"We'll see."

More from Pope on JQ Watch, as the Cats get ready to battle Rick Pitino's team in Atlanta on Saturday: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
Mark Pope leaves the door open for Jayden Quaintance to debut vs. St. John’s
Kentucky’s coach said more about Jayden Quaintance, a likely NBA lottery pick, and the possibility that he will join the Cats’ lineup soon.
www.kentucky.com
December 18, 2025 at 5:13 PM
For those whose hopes have dwindled for this Kentucky basketball team ...

Five reasons to think Mark Pope and the Wildcats can turn things around from here and live up to those preseason expectations: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
Five reasons there’s still hope for Mark Pope and this Kentucky basketball team
This UK men’s basketball season started poorly, and the win over Indiana showed there’s still a long way to go. Why the Wildcats have hope.
www.kentucky.com
December 17, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Reposted by Ben Roberts
NEW: Can UK athletes arrange NIL deals outside of JMI? Why the secrecy on rev sharing split? Does basketball need a GM? What about those retirement rumors?

All that and more in a one-on-one interview with Mitch Barnhart. bit.ly/3KN9ejJ
Q&A: Kentucky AD Mitch Barnhart responds to criticism of JMI deal, NIL setup
UK AD Mitch Barnhart sat down with the Herald-Leader to address recent fan complaints about Kentucky’s NIL situation.
bit.ly
December 17, 2025 at 12:07 PM
The Rupp Arena fans loved what Kentucky did in the second half of last night's win over Indiana.

It had nothing to do with what led them to fall in love with Mark Pope's first UK basketball team. "I mean, oof, we’re not a thing of beauty right now."

Story: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
Kentucky got ugly to beat Indiana. And Mark Pope finally got his wish
The Wildcats trailed Indiana by seven points at halftime before bullying the Hoosiers in the second half, finally landing a meaningful win.
www.kentucky.com
December 14, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Mo Dioubate going through full warmups for Kentucky tonight. UK vs. Indiana on ESPN at 7:45 p.m.

Follow along right here: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
Kentucky men’s basketball vs. Indiana: Get live updates, stats from renewed rivalry
The Wildcats and Hoosiers clash at Rupp Arena, and stakes are high
www.kentucky.com
December 13, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Reposted by Ben Roberts
Otega Oweh has become a lightning rod for a Kentucky basketball season teetering on the brink. He says he's ready to be a different kind of player moving forward.

"A lot of it is on me on why our intensity, I feel like, hasn’t been there."

Story: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
Otega Oweh has called his shot. Can he save this Kentucky basketball season?
The SEC preseason player of the year hasn’t looked like it so far. But Oweh has promised a different version of himself moving forward.
www.kentucky.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Otega Oweh has become a lightning rod for a Kentucky basketball season teetering on the brink. He says he's ready to be a different kind of player moving forward.

"A lot of it is on me on why our intensity, I feel like, hasn’t been there."

Story: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
Otega Oweh has called his shot. Can he save this Kentucky basketball season?
The SEC preseason player of the year hasn’t looked like it so far. But Oweh has promised a different version of himself moving forward.
www.kentucky.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Reposted by Ben Roberts
NEW: So much for easing into things in Will Stein's first season at UK.

What you need to know about the 2026 schedule with dates set. www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
UK football 2026 schedule: Dates for Oklahoma trip, matchup with Jon Sumrall set
The SEC unveiled dates for the 2026 Kentucky football schedule Thursday. Will Stein’s first season will feature a matchup with Jon Sumrall and trip to Oklahoma.
www.kentucky.com
December 12, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Reposted by Ben Roberts
Trent Noah got a surprise start for Kentucky basketball in last night’s win over North Carolina Central.

Will it lead to bigger things for the sophomore from Harlan County? ⬇️
www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
Mark Pope gave a surprise start to Trent Noah. Will it lead to bigger things?
UK basketball sophomore played a career-high 26 minutes in blowout win over North Carolina Central.
www.kentucky.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:27 PM