Kentucky-Valparaiso Postgame Quotes
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY MEN’S BASKETBALL MEDIA CONFERENCE
November 7, 2025
Lexington, Kentucky, USA
Coach Mark Pope
Press Conference
Kentucky – 107, Valparaiso – 59
MARK POPE: I am sorry that we are late. Sorry that we kept you waiting. It is not my fault. The Pope girls, it’s hard, like we walk through people and it’s like, I can’t. That’s why Shay is up here. She will take all of your questions. I’m proud of our guys, it’s a good Valpo team, they are going to win games this year. Coach Powell does a nice job. I’ve known him for a long time. He runs good stuff and he’s got great pace and he’s got physical players. I thought our guys came out with tremendous energy from the get-go. I felt like they function pretty well. We are making progress. We’ve got a long way to go and we got to get way, way better. It was a good night for us and proud of what we did.
Q Mark, how pleased were you with not only the making the first 6 shots of the game but it seemed like they really kept the focus defensively at the other end too and really made it hard to set the tone early on both sides?
MARK POPE: We are trying to live on the defensive end. It’s hard to guard, it’s really challenging. This team really challenges you because of their pace, just the continuous movement. And they do a nice job. I thought we were, we knew we were going to be really challenged without gap defense and we talked about this. We were really poor in the exhibition game against Georgetown. And we had great movement off the ball. We were much better with our gap integrity and all of our gap concepts against Nicholls, but they were more stationary and more just spaced and that’s what makes it easier and with Valpo, they really challenge you with the ton of movement. I thought our guys did better. I thought our bottoms were solid for a lot of game. I thought BG, in particular, they really count on their duck game to take you out of rotation. I thought BG managed it incredibly well. He didn’t get sealed. He danced with his feet the whole time. He was able to release and get to the bottom when he needed to. He was active in the monster. He was an example of the guys doing pretty well there. I was really proud of the guys defensive effort. We had some lapses. Which I would like us to keep this standard every single possession for the rest of our lives. And that is our goal. But I was proud of the effort.
Q Mark, obviously tremendous performance from Malachi tonight with 18 and 10. First off, what makes him such an effective rebounder, he obviously has the size but there’s so many other intangibles that go into that from your vantage point, and secondly, just his progression as a freshman 2 games in having a double double seemingly matching up well against guys much more veteran and older than him. Just what goes into that from his perspective.
MARK POPE: I was really proud of him today. As a freshman, just in his second game. There’s so much going on, like there’s so much of life also. Just all the things. Like all of our guys, he’s dealing with a thousand different distractions. But he was able to come on the floor tonight and really focus. He’s got a physicality that might be surprising. I think when you look at him, you expect he’s going to feel a certain way when you actually make contact with him. But I think he’s way stronger and I think he’s doing an unbelievable job rebounding out of his area and he’s determined. You know, he’s using one of our best percentage hit and go get and wedge guys and it’s his consistent effort I think that’s really really functional for him on the glass. He’s been our best rebounder on both sides of the ball pretty consistently from the get go. He’s taking that challenge really seriously and it’s fun to watch him grow. He’s young, he’s going to have ups and downs. His ceiling is really really high and he had a huge impact. I will tell you what I was most proud of, when he did get the ball on the post, he had a tendency to attack baseline, attack baseline, he was really disciplined tonight about attacking middle. He was really patient with the bounce, like he was squeezing extra dribbles, really just kind of working to get to his spot and got a couple of shots blocked and then in the second half, went to the rip through, the step through, which is just like exactly how you respond when people who are overplaying your left shoulder. I thought the way he calculated the game was really good. So I’m proud of him. Probably the most important thing, he’s a 3 assist 0 turnover guy for a freshman big and had a ton of usage tonight and I don’t think you seen that very often.
Q Mark, you had 10 guys between 15, 24 minutes. Similar to the Purdue game when you talked about spreading the minutes, spreading the points like your 96 team, if they could be that selfless. I’m just curious, what can you do to ensure that’s how this team progresses or maybe what has to happen in the locker room to make sure it progresses and stays like this the rest of the way?
MARK POPE: It’s going to be every day all year long endeavor. And it is going to be a constant focus and constant topic of conversation. I think we can play so much harder. You know, I talked to the team and the staff about this. I don’t ever want someone to take the ball inside line out of bounds and just have an uncontested catch. We have enough bodies and enough energy and enough talent to contest every single possession every single second of the entire game. And I think we can wear on guys. You know, I don’t have a final possession count, but it was pretty high tonight and they helped us because they were willing to really run up and down too. We’d like to make these games as many possessions as we possibly can. If a team chooses to slow us down then we like to make the intensity level of every individual possession so high and we need each other to do it. I actually felt like we had fatigue on the floor. You know you think about it, our highest minutes was Collin Chandler at 23 minutes. Otega 20, Malachi at 20, Mo at 20, Jasper at 21, everyone else under 20. So the highest minutes guy was 23 and I still felt like we had fatigue on the floor. It’s a credit to our guys for playing so hard. I’d like to play harder and harder and harder. I think we can do it. I think we squeeze more into every single minute of the game and I think it feeds everybody.
Q Coach, you guys had Jaland Lowe return tonight. How important was that and how important is it to have him back and get some other guys in some more natural positions. We Collin be able to be off the ball more. Just how important was it for him and the other guys on the team?
MARK POPE: I thought Jaland was great. He’s a 5-0 guy, right? On his first game in a Kentucky uniform. He comes in and he’s 5-0 off the bench. It’s really impressive. He can get to wherever he wants to on the floor. That means a lot to us; that really has a really huge function for our team. I thought he was terrific defensively. He made an unbelievable saving play in transition one possession. The rest of the team just wasn’t there to help him. I think he’s a difference maker for us. He’s going to be massively important to this team. He’s got a ton of experience and he’s just cat cat quick and can get where ever he wants whenever he wants and that’s going to be important for us.
Q Mark, obviously the percentage is not where you want them to be 3-point shooting wise in the 2 exhibitions and the opener. Finished at almost 40% and at one point you were 7 for 11 to start the game. How important was it for the team’s confidence was it to see those threes falling like that?
MARK POPE: You guys would be upset with me. We don’t spend a lot of time talking about our three-point percentage. We talk about, and I know that’s unconventional. For us a lot of times, the offense starts when we shoot it, it’s not a finish. We are just focused on attempts. We might have a game where we shoot 11% and we should win that game and we might have a game where we shoot 40% and we should win that game. It’s just baked into the cake. The three-point side is the beginning of a possession, it’s the beginning of an opportunity for us, it’s not the ending. We shot it well tonight, you know, 11 for 28, and that’s fine. I’m still am frustrated we are not getting up more. We just got to find a way to get over this 30 mark.
Q Looking ahead a little bit. I don’t think we will talk to you before the Louisville game. With a top 15 matchup looming, do you have any early thoughts on that one?
MARK POPE: Yeah, it’s the biggest game. The nice thing for us is that every game is the biggest game we’ve ever played. In-state rivalry games are always fun and exciting. We can’t wait to get to it and we got to get through the autopsy of this game and take what we can learn and we will jump into that tomorrow. It’s just a beautiful thing. Everything comes so fast. We are going to be in New York the week after next. Someone told me that yesterday and I was like, wow, it seemed like it was months away. So, it’s just great game after great game after great game and this is certainly a big one, just like they all are. We will finish up this deal and then get to that and can’t wait to get out and play.
Q Hey coach, right over here. Jaland Lowe finally got to see the court for the first time. What did you see from him and do you have any timeline on when he could possibly start and play without caution to his right shoulder?
MARK POPE: Yeah. That’s going to be a work in progress for sure. But man, he looks sharp. He hit two corners, one in the first half same side left side corner where he just like, I mean, most of us mere mortals dream about being able to move on the floor as quickly as he can and then just spread the way he can. He had an unbelievable play to draw a power play and then find, I think it was Collin in the corner in the first half and in the second half he threw that left handed hook pass, I think it was to Collin again. Maybe the first one was to Collin, Denzel, yeah. And he just is got unbelievable vision. He just throws lasers and darts everywhere. They are on time, on target passes. It’s something we don’t talk about a lot. It’s NBA level. One of the difference between college guys and NBA guys is these college guys get in a lane and they kind of see and they deliver a pass to an area. J Lo is delivering passes right into the pocket and they are 35 hook laser passes, right? It’s off the move, it’s just really impressive. I don’t think there’s a lot of players in college basketball that could make the plays that he makes. Earning us really good shots was pretty special. A bunch of our guys was great hitting the roll tonight, but he was a big part of that. I thought he exerted terrific effort. He just brings so much to the game. He will open this game up for us and make it a little bit easier. And that’s important.
Q Coach, you flipped out on us the other day so I’m going to flip it on you. I think we want to hear about how your daughter thought about the game and how you did coaching tonight?
Shay: I think my dad did a really good job. We won, so. I’d say that’s a 10 out of 10.
MARK POPE: 10 out of 10, let’s go, I like that. I’m pretty sure that she doesn’t have enough gas to get home tonight, so she’s just staying here so I can fill up her card. Guys, thanks, have a great night.
KENTUCKY BASKETBALL POSTGAME QUOTES
KENTUCKY VS. VALPARAISO
RUPP ARENA – LEXINGTON, KY.
NOVEMBER 7, 2025
KENTUCKY PLAYERS
#10, Brandon Garrison, F
On how Jaland Lowe being back made things easier…
“Yeah, you know we missed Jalen out there, but you know just having him, that’s an extra weapon we got that makes it easier for all of us. His pace you know, he’s one of the fastest guards in the country you know, one of the best play makers and he going to find us so he can go crazy and make his own shot.”
On how getting off to a fast start helped assist with tonight…
“Yeah, you know coach, in the last film that we had, he hit on us, you know we have to have a better start, and I feel like we did better on that today.”
On playing rival, Louisville, for the second year in a row…
“Oh yeah, you know just the same old rivalry that took place last year. We’re going to go in there and take it as another game you know it’s one of the biggest games, they always talking about it, you know just going in there and not overdoing nothing and just doing us and just coming out with a win.”
#24 Malachi Moreno, F
On how it felt to have a big game…
“It felt great. Coach has said it before; it was only a matter of time before I got comfortable and tonight, I felt really comfortable. So, having that comfortability and having that trust for my teammates just gave me to most confidence to perform.”
On the process of settling into Kentucky…
“It’s been a gradual process. I’ve kind of just been trying to take it one day at a time, trying to get better every single day, and try to make an impact in any way that I can.”
On what point in the game he gained confidence…
“I think I was really feeling it when I made my free-throws. All my teammates were looking for me in the first half, so I think just having that trust for them gave me confidence and I made it.”
On adjusting to the physicality…
“I think I’ve adjusted pretty well. I’ve been in the weight room a lot, trying to figure out my body, what works best, and just trying to get my body ready for what’s to come.”
On what it does for the team to have Jaland Lowe back…
“It’s awesome. He’s an All-SEC point guard, honestly an AP point guard. And just having that kind of guard looking for his teammates, but he’s also quick, shifty, and gets to the rim to score. It’s so much fun to play with that.”
#15, Jaland Lowe, G
On coming off the bench and adjusting to the game…
“I mean, I would just say it was like my freshman year. It’s not new to me coming off the bench. My freshman year, I went through that plenty of times but it’s just something that everyone goes through and that’s not too hard for me. I just know to bring a positive attitude and play my game.”
On how he’s feeling…
“I’m out here, so I’m 100%.”
On how the assist from Denzel felt…
“Oh man, I was so happy that he was my first assist. To be honest with you, it felt great, just making plays for my guys and I’m glad Denzel was the first one to give me an assist.”
VALPARAISO HEAD COACH ROGER POWELL JR.
Opening statement…
“Hey, not much to say, other than, I mean, they’re really good and we played probably pretty bad, you know, I thought especially in the first half, their pace, their size, and they’re talented, and when they get going in transition, it’s hard to stop them and I think we got little shell shocked early, love the fight for these guys in the second half and just keep competing.”
On Kentucky’s 5 position player and players 24 and 10…
“I mean, 24 had 10 rebounds and 18 points and, you know, Garrison had 12. I mean, they’re a problem. They have great size, you know, they can score on a block. They can score and pick and roll their physical so, I mean, they’re going to be a problem in the rest of the season in their conference. Mean they’re really good. They’re two really good bigs.”
On Jayland Lowe…
“Man, he’s really good, obviously, you know, you know, getting him back is going to help change their team. He keeps everybody out of control. He has great court vision. Makes plays. I mean, he had, you know, five assists, no turnovers. I mean, he’s, he’s, I think, a huge piece that they were missing. So, he’s going to continue to get in his flow. And, I mean, he’s a, he’s a high-level player, but, you know, he’s high-level transfer too. I mean, that’s, that’s what they got here.”
On UK making it tough in the beginning of the game…
“I think, I think it’s going to, it’s going to take our team some time to get used to that physicality. You know, we have some decent length, but in their physical they’re strong, and their length was causing a lot, causing us a lot of problems. I mean, we had some layups at the rim that we couldn’t finish because they were, they were making it difficult. So, you know, it took us a little time to kind of adjust today, I thought the second half, we got a little bit better. We got, we got, you know, more comfortable and finishing at the rim. But like I said, they’re big, strong, they’re athletic, and they’re in this across the board, even their guards are big and long. So, you know, that was, that was something that was a struggle for us.”
On playing teams like UK…
“You know, I think for us, these games are great. You know, playing against this level competition, we got a couple more games like that this season, you get better, and especially when you got a new team, and you play against I mean, this is a talented roster, so, you know, I’m excited about the opportunity not just look at the film, but just to feel that for the first time, to be in that environment, for the first time for some of our guys, like, it’s, It’s, it’s, it’s, it’s precious. It’s extremely valuable for us to be able to go through this.”
VALPARAISO PLAYERS
#0, Rakim Chaney, G
On taking in the atmosphere of Kentucky basketball…
“I am taking it step by step. We were able to go through a walk-through when we got here, so, I was able to get used to a big arena and playing against a pretty good team. I think it is as soon as you get the first win, the first immediate time out, you get to settle in and get back to playing basketball. I think I caught that early because I made a defensive play, and then I got a bucket early. I was able to get myself going and really settle in and relax.”
On his progression from week to week…
“This is big for us, especially against one of the best teams in the country. It’s big for us to be able to watch film on us and on them, taking stuff from them and then looking at ourselves in the mirror. Like Coach said, looking at what we can do better individually, and then coming together as a unit to see what we can do to make the team better. I think for us, playing these teams is a great opportunity. Playing against this level of competition, we have a couple of games like that this season, you get better and especially when you have a new team. This is a talented roster, so I am excited about the opportunity, not just to look at the film, but to feel that for the first time. To be in this environment, for the first time for some of our guys, it’s precious. It’s extremely valuable for us to be able to go through this.”
On taking charge of scoring the majority of the points…
“First off, I am happy I got the opportunity to score the points, but I really wanted the win, especially against a big team like this. I think that means a lot more than just having double-digit points. I think the biggest thing that worked for me is just making good reads. I think coach and I should definitely agree, as a freshman, I am making better reads. Then in the second half, I felt like I did a good job getting in the paint. I got fouled a few times but then converted it more to the free throw line.”
