Mark Pope does not have a set formula for picking a starting lineup. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Many Kentucky fans were upset and perplexed last year when former UK coach John Calipari brought freshman playmakers Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham off the bench instead of starting them even though they were clearly two of UK’s top players — and both eventual top 10 NBA draft picks.
What will new coach Mark Pope do when it comes to a startling lineup? Will he start his best five players or five players that fit together the best? Does it make it harder than he has nine transfer players who have all been starters in their collegiate careers?
“I’m so sorry, because I’m going to give you the worst answer. It’s both and all the above,” Pope said Tuesday at UK’s Media Day. “ It really is. I believe in the synergy of every aspect of this game. I think that’s such a massive part of this game. I think that’s why team sports are brilliant.
“So there’s going to be times when I’m saying, ‘Hey, we’re going with this starting lineup because these pieces fit together.’ There’s going to be times we’ll go with the starting lineup because it’s the best five guys. It will be all the answers above.”
Pope said his staff will not spend a lot of time “emphasizing starting” all season.
“It’s finishing that really matters. Sometimes finishing is even, you know, not the most important thing,” Pope said. “There’s so many ways that guys make contributions.
“But there are times when, on paper, it might look like you could make a really rational argument about why things, rotations should work differently, because there’s a lot of rational arguments to be made. But we’ll consider all those things as we go.”
7 Responses
Sounds like Pope is open to what’s working and who is helping the team win.
So refreshing.
I think he is Old Fan for sure
It won’t matter who starts as long as all 12 see some action. This team wants to win No. 9 and will be willing to do whatever makes that happen. I don’t see another team in the country that is as sound as this team is from 1 to 12. The Duke game will be a great early test. Our starting 5, whoever that is, will match up with anyone. Our second wave 7 will be better than any other team’s non starters for sure. Win or lose, that game will be a yardstick to measure against going forward. This team can win the SEC regular season title, the SEC tourney title, and can be a serious Final 4 contender. If we make it to the Final 4, that will be over achieving but this team will not be happy just to be there. They intend to win No. 9 and i think they have a shot at doing so.
I like all the comments.
Pope will not have pets as a particular arrogant former coach always showcased regardless of their poor performance.
Pope has integrity! – that guy who was here before & isl now a hog, has ZERO integrity.
Pope play those who are giving 100%, those who have the hot hand & those who play TEAM ball first.
Sooooooooo refreshing !!!!
I don’t think it really matters who starts. The minutes are going to be evenly spread out. I think we will go 11 or 12 deep. Everyone is going to play. I would personally start. Butler Oweh Robinson Carr Garrison. Brea would be the 6th man.
The talent level of this team is so high that I don’t think there will be an appreciable difference in the level of play when one kid is brought in for another one. We could find that one group of five would be more productive as starters and a different group of five would be more productive as finishers and that could change from game to game depending on who we are playing. When we play Duke, I think Carr, Williams, Robinson, Perry, and Kriisa would be the best starting group. When we play Alabama, I think Almonor, Garrison, Brea, Oweh, and Butler would be the best starting group. Chandler and Noah will make contributions to both groups of 5. Regardless of who starts, all will see action which will give us fresh legs, foul protection, and injury insurance should that happen. This is a team that will make a serious run at a Final 4 and with a break or two could bring No. 9 home to Lexington.