Kentucky basketball has seen its fair share of ups and downs this season. From impressive wins to frustrating losses, the Wildcats have remained in the mix, but consistency has been an issue. However, the head coach isn’t hitting the panic button. His dreams are far bigger than that. “We have a really good team, and we have beautiful kids we’re cheering for, and we’re 4-3 right now against the top five ranked teams in the country,” Pope shared after the loss to Auburn. But he isn’t just staying optimistic—he’s going all in.
Mark Pope has been making waves in the college basketball scene with his reliance on the transfer portal. In his first season at the helm, Pope leveraged the portal to rebuild the Wildcats’ roster from scratch, securing the #2 transfer class for the 2024-2025 season. He’s already recruited three talented players for the 2025 class: Jasper Johnson, Malachi Moreno, and Acaden Lewis. But Pope’s not done yet.
While this trio has the potential to change the game, it’s also a gamble. Pope is counting on these three players to deliver, and if they don’t, it could set the program back. For starters, the trio is still untested at the collegiate level. While they’ve dominated in high school, the NCAA is a whole different ball game. Additionally, Pope is relying heavily on these three players to address critical areas for Kentucky: playmaking, interior defense, and perimeter security.
But, of course, Pope’s not going to put all his eggs in one basket. He’s already looking forward to the next transfer portal, where he’ll be on the hunt for even more talent. He’s doubling down on the strategy that’s served him well so far – with a twist. This time, he’s adding a dash of aggression to the mix. “We have some really, really important pieces we’re excited to have back next year, that knows what we do… Three incredibly talented rookies coming in, SO FAR… We’ll be really aggressive in the portal and bring in a couple of superstars,” he shared, leading the fans to think, think, and think.
“We have some really, really important pieces we’re excited to have back next year, that knows what we do… Three incredibly talented rookies coming in, SO FAR… We’ll be really aggressive in the portal and bring in a couple of superstars.”
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) March 3, 2025
After Caleb Wilson chose UNC over Kentucky, the first name that comes to mind is Nate Ament. The Cats are in contention for five-star forward Ament, who visited Kentucky for the UK-Tennessee game in February. He is down to a final five of Kentucky, Duke, Louisville, Tennessee, and Arkansas. Well, for now, we as fans can only think and wait.
However, to talk about Pope’s philosophy, it is simple—a balance between recruiting high school talent and acquiring experienced collegiate players through the portal. Through his efforts to build relationships, he was able to acquire some of his former players, like Jaxson Robinson. In fact, his strategy hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“I know he’s (Pope) put together a great roster. He’s got size, he’s got shooting, and he brought in a lot of transfers. He’s put together one of the best rosters in the country. I think he’s going to be right there,” said Vanderbilt head coach Mark Byington.
Of course, Byington is right. That’s exactly how Pope assembled a special group. From key defenders who were among the best to sharpshooters, he had them all. But the best part? Despite setbacks, he’s not stopping.
Mark Pope is totally flipping the script on the transfer portal. For years, people have thought that teams built through transfers can’t gel and won’t succeed. And yeah, there’s some history to back that up – teams loaded with transfer portal players have often fallen flat because they struggle to form cohesive units, struggling because of their individualistic backgrounds as former stars at other schools. This concern is rooted in the fact that these players often dominated the ball at their previous schools, making it tough for them to adapt to a new system and play a role. But Pope’s approach is different. He’s all about building relationships and camaraderie among his players, both on and off the court.
This approach might not work right away, but we can see the long-term benefits Pope is aiming for here. So what happens next remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure—Kentucky’s incoming class is going to be exciting. The trio of Johnson, Moreno, and Lewis will be crucial in maintaining this momentum. Johnson, a five-star guard, has already set a league record with 14 assists in a single game. Moreno, a 6’11” true force in the paint, has been dominating on the court, with a staggering 39 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks in a single game. And Lewis, a playmaking point guard, has been impressing with his elite vision and toughness.
But as he chooses to be aggressive, we hope he will keep these points in mind.
Kentucky’s Roster: A Mix of Youth and Experience
The Wildcats’ upcoming roster has a mix of youth and experience. First, there’s Brandon Garrison, a McDonald’s All-American transfer who has the potential to be a dominant force in the frontcourt. Then, there’s Otega Oweh, a junior whose explosive, defensive mindset makes him capable of taking over games. No doubt, he could be Kentucky’s leader next season. Joining him could be Collin Chandler, a freshman and former top-40 recruit. While he’s still adjusting, if he develops, he could become a major offensive weapon in 2025.
NCAA, College League, USA Basketball: Battle in Seattle-Kentucky at Gonzaga Dec 7, 2024 Seattle, Washington, USA Kentucky Wildcats guard Kerr Kriisa 77 knocks the ball away from Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Khalif Battle 99 during the first half at Climate Pledge Arena. Seattle Climate Pledge Arena Washington USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xStephenxBrashearx 20241207_SB_bd8_02
However, the Wildcats still have major gaps to fill. Pope has already confirmed his aggressive approach in the transfer portal, but where exactly does he need reinforcements? With Lamont Butler leaving, his departure has created a massive hole at point guard. While Lewis is talented, asking a freshman to run the offense in the SEC is a big gamble. But that’s not the only problem. Both Amari Williams and Andrew Carr will leave soon, meaning the Wildcats will need size. Moreno is a great addition, but one big man isn’t enough. Pope will likely target another rim protector
No matter what, the Wildcats under Pope are developing a play style that hasn’t been seen in years. What do you think? Can Pope’s gamble pay off and take Kentucky back to dominance?
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