Vicky Graff Photo
Kentucky men’s basketball saw their season come to an end when they met their match against the Tennessee Volunteers, falling 78-65 in the Sweet Sixteen matchup.
While the loss to Tennessee stings a bit more than losing to most other teams, reflecting on head coach Mark Pope’s first season in Lexington feels like quite the success.
After all, Kentucky did make an appearance in the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2019 when John Calipari made his last real run in the NCAA Tournament.
Since 2019, Big Blue Nation had suffered several heartbreaking losses in the first or second round and even missed the tournament in 2021.
Pope was hired less than a year ago and was tasked with building an entire new roster upon his arrival.
He was not handed any favors, especially since most of Kentucky’s high school recruits jumped ship when Calipari made his departure last spring.
Against tall odds, Pope put together a veteran team built on culture, desire to win and willingness to be total team players. There wasn’t a peep of drama or ego for the entire season and that’s not only a testament to Pope and his staff but also the players for all being focused on the ultimate team goal: winning.
Kentucky had a hot start to the year by knocking off Duke, Gonzaga, Louisville, Florida and Tennessee twice. While they had their own share of bumps in the road due to untimely losses and having to battle multiple injuries to their backcourt, the Wildcats stayed positive and persevered to the end.
Pope will lose a sizable chunk of his roster this summer due to several players running out of eligibility, but his staff is already hard at work targeting players in the transfer portal and they have a trio of three four-star recruits coming in (Acaden Lewis, Jasper Johnson & Malachi Moreno) this fall.
There’s hope that Otega Oweh will spend another season in Lexington and it’s a possibility Brandon Garrison will do the same.
Freshmen Collin Chandler, Travis Perry and Trent Noah all had the opportunity to earn valuable experience this season, too.
Yesterday’s Sweet Sixteen loss to Tennessee certainly stings, but the future for Pope and Kentucky is incredibly bright.
UK-UT Sweet 16
Photos by Vicky Graff
4 Responses
You are national champions in my heart! We will miss you guys but wish for every good thing to find you and have a long and wonderful life.
well said Cricket
With all things considered, we had a pretty decent year. Mistakes were made in the portal and hopefully that will make recruiting for next season more cohesive and productive. Pope signed 3 pretty good freshmen, but I doubt that any will see starters minutes. Look at what Golden has done at Florida…he went overboard in recruiting bigs. Ament would be a nice addition, but that is still up in the air. A 13 man roster should have 6 true bigs. We need a true point guard who can do it all. Dent signed with UCLA. I would seriously find a way to put a bug in Rioux’s ear…the 7’9" kid at Florida who redshirted this year. Derek Queen and Braden Pierce at Maryland are ripe for the taking with Willard going to Villanova. Samet Yigitoglu at SMU is another freshman 7 footer. Flory Bidunga at Kansas and Reed Bailey at Davidson deserve looks. Kam Williams was a nice pickup. Pope gets a jump on the portal this year so I think he will get who he wants. Go CATS!!!
Consider what Cal have left them with nothing he is already ahead of the curve when Pope hits the floor again in November and baring no major setbacks, with the injuries he could be the next final four contender and possibly the next National champ Tubby Smith had a gift from pitino. Take a long shot Pope get some great guards and 3 bigs they’re he’ll be in it to win it.those from this year’s team are already seasoned fire away UK and let’s bring 2026 Natl Champ to Lexington. I love it can’t wait for November. Bronson Go Cats! #1.