Kentucky losing out on transfer Jaxon Kohler means Mark Pope is all in on Mark Mitchell

A ridiculous week of college basketball recruiting just got a whole lot simpler for Kentucky. Michigan State transfer Jaxon Kohler seemed like a real possibility for Mark Pope after yesterday's meeting between the two, but that dream is officially dead. Per Joe Tipton, Kohler has committed to BYU in a homecoming decision.

BYU appeared to be the favorite for Kohler from the beginning, even given Kentucky's involvement alongside the likes of Kansas and Louisville, too. While Coach Pope certainly entertained the possibility of adding Kohler to this current Cats roster, Missouri transfer Mark Mitchell has publicly been made the focus of his recruiting efforts.

Even as Mitchell awaits his fifth year of eligibility in a Louisville court, Kohler cutting out west is a clear indication that Pope has fully made up his mind. If Kentucky is to add one final player for the 2026-27 season, it will almost certainly be the All-SEC transfer.

Mark Pope's focus has been made clear with Kohler decision

Kohler could've chosen Kentucky, sure, but Mitchell isn't sitting awaiting a court hearing for Kentucky to end up with someone else. He'd probably play either way, but where there's smoke on the recruiting trail, there's fire.

The near double-double that Kohler brings on average will absolutely be missed in Lexington; the Cougars got a winner, no doubt. But Mitchell is a better scheme fit under Coach Pope. His status as a score-first, team-leading forward in the SEC would make his transition to Kentucky seamless.

Mitchell also quite simply feels the sort of marquee pickup that Pope needed to top this offseason off. He's a player that would've uplifted the spirits of the Big Blue Nation before the commitment of Milan Momcilovic.

Playing with Momcilovic, though, presents an even greater outlook for the Wildcats. If Kentucky manages to net Mitchell, we'll have a national championship-level team on our hands.

Mitchell would make fans forget the loss of Kohler in no time

Mitchell, in a potential role at Kentucky, is expected to click in at the four. With Momcilovic at the three and Malachi Moreno holding down the paint at the five, the Wildcats would run three All-SEC candidates in the upper portion of their starting lineup.

This may sound like wishful thinking - until Mitchell actually commits, it technically may be. But losing out on Kohler just isn't worth the doom and gloom at this point.

Now more than ever before, Mark Pope's plan is out in broad daylight. Kohler to BYU was the first domino to fall. If Mark Mitchell gets cleared for a fifth year in court, expect Pope and Kentucky to make a swift push ahead of the rest of the pack.

It's not a guarantee, but the signs for Mitchell to Kentucky are eerily similar to those that led Kohler to BYU. Keep believing, BBN, the race for the Cats' final roster spot is just getting started.

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