7 things we learned from Big Blue Madness 2026
Several things to take away from this year’s Madness
At the opening night of Big Blue Madness 2026, we witnessed several notable highlights from Kentucky's college basketball teams. Karl-Anthony Towns, a beloved former Cat now in the NBA, made a special appearance at Rupp Arena, drawing a massive crowd reaction when he returned in his #12 jersey. Meanwhile, Alex Wilkins, a former Furman shooter now at Kentucky, dominated the 3-point shooting contest, defeating several competitors before taking the title.
Nearly all players participated in the various contests, including Kam Williams, Trent Noah, Milan Momcilovic, and Franck Kepnang. This was a positive sign for the health of the team, as many had been dealing with injuries throughout the offseason. Mark Pope and his team had a relatively small visitor list, with only three recruits attending, including future top prospect Ryan Hampton.
The main attraction, however, was CJ Rosser, a 6-10 forward ranked as the top overall player in the class of 2027, who the Wildcats are reportedly pursuing.
Coach Mark Pope displayed a confident demeanor, having built a strong team that he believes will make more 3-pointers than the previous year, which set a program record. For the women's basketball team, Coach Kenny Brooks was praised for his leadership and vision. He emphasized the importance of building upon last season's success and expressed optimism about the team's potential, particularly after watching the women's WBB team's shooting prowess during the 3-point competition.
Clara Strack, a 6'5 senior with an impressive freshman season last year, is already generating significant buzz. An awards campaign has been launched in her honor, and if she continues her performance, she could contend for both SEC and National Player of the Year awards. Additionally, the UK women's freshman class, consisting of Savvy Swords, Emily McDonald, and Maddyn Greenway, is expected to be a significant factor in their upcoming season.
The men's team will host Little Rock in an exhibition game in two weeks, while the women will begin their season on November 2 against Morehead State. Despite the relatively low-key nature of this year's Big Blue Madness, the event provided a positive outlook for both teams as they prepare for the upcoming regular season.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
