Will Jaland Lowe return for UK basketball? What he said at SEC Tournament

NASHVILLE — Jaland Lowe’s mind is existing in two places right now.

The present: Kentucky basketball’s 2025-26 season, which continues Friday in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals.

But it’s also on the future.

As it stands, he anticipates being back with the Wildcats next season.

“That’s the plan,” he told The Courier Journal following UK’s 78-72 win over Missouri in Thursday’s second round at Bridgestone Arena. “I don’t think about leaving the team or leaving the coaching staff. I’m really here right now, present with these guys. But the plan has always been to come back. And if that happens, that happens.

“And I’d be happy with that.”

Lowe, a junior, was Kentucky’s starting point guard before he underwent season-ending surgery on his shoulder in January. A Texas native, Lowe said he’s doing everything he can to be helpful from the sideline as UK gears up for what it hopes is a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

Yet he can’t help but think about the 2026-27 campaign.

“My mind’s always thinking about that,” he said. “Being out, I always think about just playing next season, just getting as healthy as I can to allow myself to have that chance.”

UK and Florida are slated to tip off at 1 p.m. ET Friday at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

• TV channel: ESPN
• Livestream: Fubo (free trial)

The game between the Wildcats and Gators will air nationally on ESPN.

Authenticated subscribers can access ESPN via TV-connected devices or by going to WatchESPN.com or the ESPN app.

Those without cable can access ESPN via streaming services, with Fubo offering a free trial.

Stream Kentucky vs. Florida

Kentucky is an 11½-point underdog (-110) on DraftKings, which set the over/under at 159½ points (-110). The moneyline is Kentucky +575, Florida -850.

Tom Leach (play-by-play) and Jack Givens (analyst) will have the UK radio network call on 840 AM in Louisville and both 630 AM and 98.1 FM in Lexington.

You can also listen online via UKAthletics.com.

All times Eastern

Wednesday, March 11

First round

Game 1: No. 9 Kentucky 87, No. 16 LSU 82 (Click here to read the story from the game.)

Game 2: No. 12 Auburn 79, No. 13 Mississippi State 61

Game 3: No. 15 Ole Miss 76, No. 10 Texas 66

Game 4: No. 11 Oklahoma 86, No. 14 South Carolina 74

Thursday, March 12

Second round

Game 5: No. 9 Kentucky 78, No. 8 Missouri 72 (Click here to read the story from the game.)

Game 6: No. 5 Tennessee vs. No. 12 Auburn, 3 p.m., SEC Network

Game 7: No. 7 Georgia vs. No. 15 Ole Miss, 7 p.m., SEC Network

Game 8: No. 6 Texas A&M vs. No. 11 Oklahoma, 9:30 p.m., SEC Network

Friday, March 13

Quarterfinals

Game 9: No. 1 Florida vs. No. 9 Kentucky, 1 p.m., ESPN

Game 10: No. 4 Vanderbilt vs. Game 6 winner, 3:30 p.m., ESPN

Game 11: No. 2 Alabama vs. Game 7 winner, 7 p.m., SEC Network

Game 12: No. 3 Arkansas vs. Game 8 winner, 9:30 p.m., SEC Network

Saturday, March 14

Semifinals

Game 13: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 1 p.m., ESPN

Game 14: Game 11 winner vs. Game 12 winner, 3:30 p.m., ESPN

Sunday, March 15

Final

Championship game: Game 13 winner vs. Game 14 winner, 1 p.m., ESPN

SEC Tournament games will air on ESPN and SEC Network.

You can stream ESPN, and SEC Network on Fubo, which offers a free trial.

Authenticated subscribers can access ESPN, ESPN2 and SEC Network via TV-connected devices or by going to WatchESPN.com, the WatchESPN app or ESPN+.

This story will be updated.

Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.