Big Blue Dispatch
Daily Update • October 15, 2026
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Good morning, Big Blue Nation! Thursday, October 15 — welcome to Thursday!
Even though we are just two days away from UK's preseason exhibition opener against Little Rock, there is plenty of major basketball news to lead off with today. The SEC held its annual SEC Tipoff media event in Birmingham yesterday, and Mark Pope made headlines when he called his 2026 squad "probably the greatest shooting team I've ever had." Pope also spoke extensively about embracing the heavy championship expectations in Lexington this season.
The Lexington Herald-Leader and KSR also had detailed features this week on UK's newest additions to the coaching staff. KSR highlighted Mark Pope's praise for new assistant coach Alfred Aboya, calling him one of the absolute best people in the business, while the Herald-Leader covered John Pelphrey's return to the program as the new Director of Player Development.
Turning to the gridiron, the Wildcats are locked in and completely focused on this weekend's massive road test against blue-blood Oklahoma in Norman, looking to carry that top-15 momentum forward.
And finally, did you ever imagine a world in which UK football might be the favorite for the No. 1 overall recruit? A Sea of Blue breaks down the stunning recruiting predictions for 5-star defensive lineman Kellan Hall out of Christian Academy of Louisville, who now holds the top spot in the 2028 class rankings with the Wildcats emerging as the favorite.
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Go Cats! 🐾
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Saturday Down South
The No. 22 LSU Tigers are coming off a gut-wrenching Week 6 overtime loss against the No.
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On3 — Kentucky Wildcats
And just like that, talking season is over. Kentucky basketball season is here, with an exhibition game tipping off on Friday for our first unofficial look at the Wildcats heading into 2026-27.
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On3 — Kentucky Wildcats
The SEC is home to some of college football’s greatest cathedrals. Playing in those venues is not for the faint of heart.
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A Sea of Blue
You dont often see a player from the state of Kentucky ranked as the No. 1 overall recruit in the country, but that is now a reality.
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On3 — Kentucky Wildcats
Denzel Aberdeen was a polarizing transfer addition for Kentucky last offseason, coming from Florida just weeks after the Gators won a national championship. At the time, Todd Golden told KSR that while he “would have loved to have Denzel back,” “ there were other things that…
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On3 — Kentucky Wildcats
Mark Pope didn’t know if there would be any new staff developments at UK Media Day back on September 28, but by SEC Tipoff ’27 on October 14, the perfect opportunity had fallen into his lap, and he was ready to make a quick hire and ensuing announcement. Alfred Aboya , a former…
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On3 — Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky’s turn at SEC Media Days is done. Over your lunch hour, Mark Pope and Kenny Brooks took the main stage, while Milan Momcilovic, Zoom Diallo, Malachi Moreno, Asia Boone, and Clara Strack made the rounds to talk to reporters.
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Google News — UK Basketball
Mark Pope is excited about what his team can grow into this season Sports Illustrated
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Saturday Down South
The Kentucky Wildcats mens basketball program is getting ready to enter year 3 of the Mark Pope era, and there is likely to be a lot riding on the outcome of this campaign for the man who replaced the great John Calipari. Pope got off to a hot start in his first season, winning…
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Google News — Kentucky Wildcats
Here’s what UK will pay John Pelphrey — and why Mark Pope thinks he’s a great fit Lexington Herald Leader
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A Sea of Blue
You dont often see a player from the state of Kentucky ranked as the No. 1 overall recruit in the country, but that is now a reality.
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On3 — Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky Football coaches and players being asked about Kentucky Basketball at SEC Media Days is a tale as old as time; today, the tables were turned. From the SEC Now desk to the main stage, Will Stein and the Cats were a popular topic at SEC Tipoff in Birmingham.
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Nation of Blue
The San Antonio Spurs social media team tried to trick Keldon Johnson, DeAaron Fox and Jayden Quaintance into saying go Cardinals during a recent video. All three former Cats passed the challenge.
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ESPN — Kentucky Basketball
Mark Pope embracing championship expectations at Kentucky ESPN
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Google News — UK Basketball
Mark Pope talks about the hire of assistant Alfred Aboya Sports Illustrated
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