It’s been a tough offseason for the Kentucky Wildcats and their passionate fanbase. While the program has managed to bring in some talented newcomers and retain a few key pieces from last year’s squad, they’ve also missed out on several top recruiting targets and transfer portal standouts—most notably Donnie Freeman. After a season that left many in Big Blue Nation eager for a change, the frustration is understandable.

But former Wildcats star Anthony Epps is urging fans to shift their focus. In a heartfelt message posted on X, Epps wrote: “Stop dwelling over who is not here and get behind who is! Congrats to all the players that have committed to UK Men’s Basketball. Glad to have you and can’t wait to see how you mesh as a team. That’s it! Let’s Go!”

Epps—who won a national championship with Kentucky in 1996, the same year current head coach Mark Pope was on the roster—brings a championship perspective to the conversation. His message is a rallying cry for fans to support the players who have chosen to wear the blue and white, rather than lamenting those who didn’t.

Admittedly, the roster as it stands has some question marks. There’s limited depth at center, and no clear replacement for Otega Oweh’s scoring and clutch performances. However, there’s also plenty of reason for optimism. Players like Alex Wilkins and Braydon Hawthorne have the potential to exceed expectations, and the anticipated return of Malachi Moreno could provide a much-needed boost—possibly setting him up for a breakout season.

It’s important to remember that rosters are rarely final this early. There’s still time to add talent, especially if some elite players decide to withdraw from the NBA draft. And as Pope proved in 2025 when he led a similar group to the Sweet 16, chemistry and fit can often outweigh raw individual talent.

So yes, it’s okay to feel disappointed. But as Anthony Epps reminds us, the best way to honor the Wildcats tradition is to get behind the players who are here—and root for them to surprise everyone.