Fall practice is underway, Big Blue Madness is closing in, and the preseason chatter is only getting louder. That’s the backdrop for Evan Miyakawa’s latest batch of computer-driven rankings, which give a pretty clear snapshot of where Kentucky stands heading into the 2026-27 season.
Miyakawa has Kentucky sitting 18th in his team rankings, but the more interesting story is how the roster breaks down player by player. His Bayesian Performance Rating, or BPR, measures production on a per-possession basis on both ends of the floor, and only three Wildcats crack the top 100 nationally: Malachi Moreno, Milan Momcilovic, and Zoom Diallo.
Moreno is Kentucky’s highest-rated player by a mile. The sophomore center is up to 11th overall with an 8.48 BPR after originally being listed 12th when Miyakawa first posted the rankings on Friday. Momcilovic lands 46th at 6.52, while Diallo comes in 67th at 6.03.
After that, there’s a noticeable drop. Kam Williams checks in 250th with a 3.99 BPR, followed by Ousmane N’Diaye at 499th and 2.82. Trent Noah is 573rd at 2.52, Franck Kepnang is 590th at 2.44, and Alex Wilkins is 608th at 2.37.
Wilkins’ placement stands out the most. He was the name Miyakawa had already pointed to back in the spring, when he noted the Furman transfer’s turnover problems and how they dragged down his projection. Even so, Miyakawa said he expects Wilkins to beat that number this season, even if the model isn’t there yet.
The rest of the roster follows with Justin McBride at 811th and 1.79, Mason Williams at 877th and 1.64, Jerone Morton at 1,029th and 1.27, Braydon Hawthorne at 1,507th and 0.44, Reece Potter at 1,817th and 0.01, and Zyon Hawthorne at 1,983rd with a minus-0.16 BPR.
There’s also an important wrinkle in Kentucky’s team outlook: if fifth-year and international players across college basketball are ruled ineligible for 2026-27, the Wildcats would actually rise from 18th to 12th in Miyakawa’s team rankings. LSU would take the biggest hit, falling from 17th to 151st, while St. John’s would drop from 9th to 34th and Texas Tech from 11th to 27th.
For now, it’s preseason math. The real test comes once the season starts and the numbers have to meet the eye test.
In Other News...
Kentucky Faces One Risk Fans Hate After Texas A&M Win
Fresh off a road win at Texas A&M, Kentucky turns back home this week with South Alabama coming to Kroger Field and a little more uncertainty than the final score from College Station might suggest. The Jaguars arrive at 2-1 after wins over Southeastern Louisiana and Ohio, along with a close loss to Tulane, so this is not the kind of tune-up game the schedule guarantees on paper.
Will Steins bigger concern is what the victory may have cost on defense. Ty Bryant is dealing with a shoulder issue after trying to come back into the game against Texas A&M, and Grant Grayton is among the pieces Kentucky is monitoring as it tries to sort out who can go and who needs to be held back. With South Alabama up next and the rest of the schedule already looming, the Wildcats are balancing the urge to keep momentum rolling against the risk of making a short-term problem turn into something more lasting. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky Just Got An Early Answer On Will Steins New Staff
Jay Batemans move from Texas A&M to Kentucky gave Will Stein an early look at what his new defensive coordinator can do, and the timing of it made the whole thing feel a little richer. Bateman was on the other sideline in Kentuckys 31-21 win over the Aggies, and his group helped keep the game from turning into a shootout, limiting Texas A&Ms chances and giving the Wildcats enough room to settle in on the road.
For Stein, the fit appears to be about more than just scheme. He spoke highly of Batemans coaching and personal qualities, underscoring the trust already forming inside the new staff. Kentucky now has an early confirmation that one of its most important hires can handle a big stage, even if the bigger question around why Bateman made the jump is still part of the larger story. [Read more 🡒]
Kentuckys Big Blue Wall Just Sent A Message Fans Have Missed
Kentuckys win over Texas A&M was the kind of result that does not always match the box score at first glance. The Aggies finished with more first downs, more total yards and more rushing yards, but the Wildcats still walked away with the victory because their offensive line controlled the game in the way Kentucky fans have been hoping to see again.
That front made life easier for Kenny Minchey, who settled in for 252 yards and two touchdowns while the Wildcats kept the pressure squarely on Texas A&M. Even Aggies coach Mike Elko pointed to Kentuckys physical edge after the game, a telling sign that this was less about flashy numbers and more about one team setting the tone where it mattered most. [Read more 🡒]