There is only 1 Kentucky basketball
Few coaches could turn a phrase like Al McGuire, and one of his most iconic lines still echoes through the halls of college basketball, especially in Lexington.
“They had it before you, they had it during you, they’ll have it when you’re gone.”
McGuire, who coached Marquette to a national title in 1977, uttered that line decades ago, but its resonance has only grown. Even after a decade of postseason disappointment and the end of the John Calipari era, the standard at Kentucky hasn’t changed. And now, under Mark Pope, that Roman Empire mentality is back—and built differently.
Pope, a former Wildcat who knows the weight of the jersey, has rebuilt the program in less than 18 months with a mix of experience, modern basketball philosophy, and a clear vision. His team is older, more skilled, and far less reliant on high school stardom. Instead, it’s about cohesion, fit, and culture.
That’s what McGuire was really getting at. Kentucky isn’t just another team on the schedule—it’s a program that demands your best. They will always be good, and fans will always be right there cheering them on. He continued:
"“My genuine opinion of the Kentucky basketball program is that there is only one and it is top drawer, Park Avenue, and that all other basketball programs in the country think they are, but they are not. The closest ones to get to it are North Carolina, maybe Indiana and UCLA. But at Kentucky, basketball is a type of religion, such a fanatical obsession that they expect to be national champions each year, and they live and die with each ball game. One of the things that is so different about Kentucky is that they have more than 100 stations that the games are broadcast over, while most colleges that have three or four think they are the greatest thing since sliced bread. Kentucky puts SRO — 23,000 people — in Rupp Arena; if they built an arena seating 50,000, there would still be a waiting list.""Al McGuire
And now? The Cats are ready to conquer again.
Kentucky’s 2025-26 roster is filled with just pure hoopers. Pope’s motion-heavy offense, spacing schemes, and defensive rotations are designed for tournament basketball, not highlight reels.
It’s working.
With players like Otega Oweh, Jaland Lowe, and Trent Noah leading the way, and newcomers like Andrea Jelavić and Jasper Johnson providing depth; this team is built to win now. Not just win games. Win titles.
The empire isn’t rebuilt on hype. It’s rebuilt on execution. On belief. On coaching.
McGuire was right: Kentucky will always be right there, no matter who is coaching.