Mark Pope, head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats entering his second year, stepped to the podium for his offseason press conference with the confidence of a man who knows his team is built for something big. In a candid, hour-long session, he laid out a vision for the 2025-26 season, describing a roster that’s “competitive, deep, and skilled” and fueled by players who are “hungry, hungry, hungry.” This wasn’t just coach-speak—it was a blueprint for a program aiming to reclaim its spot atop college basketball. Drawing from Pope’s own words, backed by stats and insights, this article breaks down his plan, the players driving it, and why Big Blue Nation has every reason to be fired up.
A team of hungry competitors
Pope didn’t mince words: his players are “starving” to test themselves daily. In an era where the transfer portal and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals have turned roster-building into a high-stakes chess game, Kentucky’s ability to attract elite talent remains unmatched. Pope revealed the team’s NIL valuation is close to $200 million, a figure that reflects the program’s pull in a chaotic market. Last season, over 1,800 players entered the portal, per On3, yet Kentucky landed a mix of proven veterans, high-upside freshmen, and SEC-tested transfers who fit Pope’s fast-paced, now physical system.
Take Otega Oweh who Pope called a versatile wing whose “elite physicality” screams NBA potential. Oweh's ability to dominate contact, explode off his first step, and navigate screens makes him a matchup nightmare. Last year, he shot 36-37% from three—putting him among the SEC’s top 25 shooters in high-minute roles, per Synergy Sports. Pope sees even more in him: “His ceiling as a playmaker, he hasn’t even begun to tap into that.” Otega’s growth could mirror that of recent Wildcats like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, whose playmaking blossomed as they grew. With Pope pushing him to quicken his shot release and rack up steals, he could be a draft darling by 2026 if he returns.
The Kentucky standard: More than basketball
What sets Kentucky apart, Pope stressed, is its culture. “There’s nowhere like this,” he said, emphasizing that success in Lexington demands sacrifice and a respect for the program’s legacy. Playing for Kentucky isn’t just about stats—it’s about embracing the weight of Big Blue Nation’s expectations. Pope’s recruits get it. Transfers like Mouhamed Dioubate and Denzel Aberdeen, both from SEC programs, chose Kentucky for the chance to be part of something bigger. Dioubate, a player Pope calls “special” for his faith and family-driven mindset, brings a skill set that slots perfectly into Kentucky’s system. Aberdeen, fresh off a title run with Florida, carries championship pedigree and a work ethic forged in a military family.
Pope shared a story about a recruit’s emotional FaceTime call, where the kid—raised in a hoops-crazed environment with two-a-day practices—teared up at the thought of wearing Kentucky blue. “The opportunity to be associated with Kentucky basketball is a little bit beyond his wildest dreams,” Pope said. It’s a reminder of why players pick Kentucky: the chance to become legends. As CBS’s Matt Norlander notes, Kentucky’s brand is a handful of "golden tier" programs in the country.
Year two leaps and painful goodbyes
Pope’s enthusiasm peaked when discussing the growth from year one to year two. “Guys make a massive jump,” he said, pointing to the onslaught of decision-making freshmen face. Data supports this: returning players often boost their offensive rating by 10-15 points per 100 possessions in their sophomore season, per Synergy Sports. Colin Chandler, Brandon Garrison, and Trent Noah are returners who hope to be prime examples. Pope marveled at their work ethic, joking that Chandler probably hit the gym on his wedding day. Brandon Garrison has stepped up as a mentor, guiding recruits with the same wisdom he got from veteran Amari Williams. Noah’s journey from freshman to veteran embodies the Kentucky experience—embracing the grind, mastering the system, and carrying the weight of BBN’s expectations. Pope’s prediction that Noah’s impact will resonate “30 years from now” speaks to the program’s ability to create lifelong ambassadors
" “It would be impossible for me to love Trent Noah any more than I do right now.”Mark Pope
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But not every story has a happy ending. Pope’s voice softened when he spoke about Travis Perry’s departure. “I was devastated,” he admitted, calling Perry a “terrific young man” with an “old soul” and the potential to be a Kentucky legend. Perry’s transfer to Ole Miss—part of the whopping 1,800-plus portal moves this year—stings, but Pope’s honesty resonates. Fans value a coach who feels the loss as deeply as they do, and Perry’s exit underscores the ruthless churn of modern college hoops.
A schedule built for battle
Pope’s scheduling philosophy is simple: bring on the best. “I love playing great teams all the time,” he said. The Wildcats’ non-conference slate includes an exhibition against No. 1 Purdue, a team projected as a top-five squad by KenPom after reaching the Sweet 16 and nearly knocking off Houston. Facing Matt Painter’s Boilermakers, whom Pope ranks among the nation’s best coaches, will test Kentucky’s revamped roster early. Rupp Arena will be electric, and Pope’s pumped for the fans: “We get to walk in here in late October and play the number one team in the country.”
Another marquee exhibition is in the works, signaling Pope’s intent to forge his team in fire. These games aren’t just about wins—they’re about preparing for the SEC’s long physical grind and March Madness. Teamrankings shows that as the last 5 national champions all had a strong schedule:
- 2025 Florida- 4th
- 2024 UCONN- 2nd
- 2023 UCONN- 6th
- 2022 Kansas- 1st
- 2021 Baylor- 2nd
Kentucky in that same period
- 2025- 7th
- 2024- 34th
- 2023-24th
- 2022-7th
- 2021- 18th
So the national champion averages about 3rd every year where as Kentucky was averaging 18th during the same period. Simply put, a better schedule is needed if the Cats want to compete with the best of the best.
Freshmen to watch
Kentucky’s freshman class, led by Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno, has Pope over the moon. Johnson, a guard who can “go get a shot whenever he wants,” evokes memories of Devin Booker’s shot-making flair. His crafty style and cool-headedness make him a potential star, with defensive upside that could surprise. Moreno, a big man, is climbing NBA draft boards daily. “College evaluators and NBA evaluators fall more and more in love with him,” Pope said, echoing reports from NBADraftRoom who say he has first round potential.
Thriving in the chaos
The NCAA’s shifting rules—NIL, transfers, and more—have made roster-building “war games,” Pope said. Yet, he’s adapted, leaning on a staff that’s “a hundred times better” in year two. Kentucky’s resources—passionate donors, unmatched fan support, and a flagship brand—give Pope an edge. “We want to be the best at everything,” he said, from NIL deals to uniforms to wins. It’s a brash goal, but one Kentucky’s built for.
Pope’s lighter moments, like his vow to outdress Rick Pitino in a CBS game against St. John’s, show his charm. “I’m bringing the suit game,” he grinned, sparking laughs. His nod to former players like the Harrison Twins, who “built this” program, grounds his vision in Kentucky’s history. As ESPN’s Seth Greenberg points out, Pope is a "'perfect fit" for Kentucky.
Why it matters
Pope’s press conference wasn’t just a roster update—it was a call to arms for Big Blue Nation. His team, a mix of highly ranked transfers, rising sophomores, and electric freshmen, is built to compete in the present and grow into something special in the future. The schedule will push them, the culture will ground them, and Pope’s passion will lead them. As the 2025-26 season looms, one thing’s clear:
Kentucky basketball is hungry, and they’re coming for it all.