Vicky Graff Photo
Kentucky coach Mark Pope’s first assignment when he was hired as coach nearly a year ago was to hang banners and win national championships.
His first Kentucky team fell three wins short of claiming title No. 9. Still, the season was far from a failure, considering the Wildcats battled injuries, a rugged Southeastern Conference schedule, and managed to win 24 games to begin the Pope era. He exceeded expectations of fans and pundits who thought it may take him years to get there.
Considering the Wildcats returned zero production from last year’s squad and Pope had to build a team from scratch, winning three of five games in the postseason was no small feat. They battled and clawed through adversity and regrouped after losing second-leading scorer Jaxson Robinson to a season-ending wrist injury, not to mention Lamont Butler’s shoulder issues.
“I do believe that God has a plan for our lives,” Pope said. “I do believe God brought all of us together with this extraordinary group. I think he brought us together so each of us individually could grow. I think he brought us together so we could build relationships that are going to last forever.”
The Cats developed that lifetime bond early upon arrival during the preseason. The chemistry spilled over onto the court once the season began.
“We came in, nobody not knowing each other, really no coaching staff, and we built something that was really great, really inspiring for other people,” graduate guard Lamont Butler said. “To even play at Kentucky is a dream come true for myself and a lot of guys up here. We’re grateful for him to bring us here and to bring us something that we may not have experienced before this year and really, just really grateful, honestly.”
The partnership benefitted both the coach and the players from the start of the season until the final buzzer.
“I think the University of Kentucky is in great hands,” Koby Brea said. “Just to see what he’s done this year, his first year. And not only that, but he’s a life-changer to just our group.”
Pope’s brand was a blend of past Kentucky teams that dominated the 1990s with a mixture of present-day schemes that brought renewed excitement to a program that became stagnant under the previous regime. It was more about the name on the front of the jersey than future aspirations and Pope’s squad bought into the concept.
“I don’t know who is in charge of the jerseys and all that, but they’re going to go through some trouble to get mine,” Brea said. “It’s still surreal every time I walk in the locker room, and I’m able to put this jersey on.”
Throughout the season, Kentucky racked up eight wins against teams ranked in the AP top 15, the most in program history. Among those victories were wins over Duke, Florida and Tennessee, all of whom are in the Elite Eight. The Wildcats swept the Volunteers during the regular season only to come up short in the first game between the two border rivals in the NCAA Tournament on Friday by a 78-65 score.
The Wildcats were defeated three times by Alabama, another SEC foe among the final eight teams left standing and suffered disappointing losses to Ohio State, Georgia, Vanderbilt and, of course, Arkansas and former coach John Calipari, along the way.
The team’s senior and graduate senior nucleus — Lamont Butler, Jaxson Robinson, Koby Brea, Amari Williams and Ansley Almonor — set a foundation for teams to follow.
“It’s just being relentless about it, just what these guys did to set an incredible foundation, giving us a great beginning,” Pope said. “They set a really high standard. They set a high standard on the court, and a higher standard in the locker room and off the floor.
“They set an incredibly high standard representing the University of Kentucky, representing BBN and representing this jersey, and I’m grateful for that. That standard will carry us for a long time.”
It’s only the beginning of big things to come for the Wildcats.
6 Responses
Not really Keith. This team at times played Pope ball, but more often than not…especially when we were seriously challenged or dominated…resorted to playing hero ball because we just didn’t really trust each other enough to keep playing Pope ball. Hero ball is what they knew; it was what they were comfortable playing. I am not sure what he told next season’s freshmen, but he better be telling kids in the portal to go somewhere else if they were not going to commit to learning how to play Pope ball. I hope coach Pope is focusing on kids that will be sophomores next season. That gives him 2 to 3 years to teach them how to play Pope ball and see the results. The 2025/26 team, barring injuries, will not be a double digit loss team. They could make a Final 4, but most likely will be a regional finalist. The 2026/27 team will be favored to make the Final 4; the 2027/28 team will be favored to win it all! By then, everyone on the team will be playing Pope ball because they haven’t played any other way since high school…IF Pope demands that they play Pope ball. This year’s team had Pope over a barrel; Pope will be in control from here on. Word has it that Oweh is going pro, Garrison is going to the portal, and Kriisa is going back to Europe. Chandler and Noah have yet to say what their intentions are, so that leaves Perry, Moreno, Johnson, Lewis, and the new transfer Williams
Perry never had to play defense in high school; he was the designated shooter. He is staying for lack of another place to go. Chandler’s game is starting to come around, but he needs to play a lot basketball this Summer to find his groove again. I think he will stay. Noah showed promise in January, but has since tailed off. Something tells me that he may be portal bound. For now, Williams is a lock for the 3 spot, even if Noah stays. If Noah stays, I think he will emerge out of his cocoon and become a double digit scorer by season’s end. Short of getting a seasoned point guard, Perry will get that spot, but I see Johnson taking it over by Christmas. Chandler’s best spot is the 2 with Perry getting some minutes there also. Moreno is best suited at the 4 spot, but will not start next year. Derek Queen of Maryland would be a perfect fit as a 4 spot scorer, though his defense and rebounding are pedestrian at best. The chances of getting Rioux from Florida are slim, but just think about having a 7;9" center who is fairly mobile at 300 pounds! We will need 2 bonafide centers who can defend, rebound, pass, and score.
Chandler and Noah need to speak their intentions this week as recruiting in the portal will be at a fever pitch. Regardless of who stays and who comes, Pope needs to lay down the law…it’s his way or the highway! Go CATS!!!
Barry, there’s too much direction in college sports anymore. your post about the future teams doesn’t hold a light to the candle.
Too much direction? WTF does that mean 79?
Several directions Nil, transfer and so forth. Players don’t stay at the same school for 4 years anymore.. It’s not about education it’s about all mighty dollar. That’s what blank blank I’m talking about.
If above reporting is fairly accurate, I do hate to see Oweh depart but have no problem with Garrison being portal bound. He only occasionally flashed but not enough to show he met the uniform expections. I am not sure the 1st year foundation really that strong but do feel we got off to a good launch. The quality and quantity of SEC coaches has IMO never been stronger and now sure 1st yr performance much above average in the league.
The portal makes Pope and his play for your school philosophy even more difficult. Finding kids with that attitude and also 5* talent is exceedingly tough. But I firmly believe that if anyone can do it – it’s the Pope.