During the final call in show of the year, Mark Pope made it clear that roster building is priority number one for the coaching staff heading into the offseason. He emphasized that constructing a team is a fluid process, saying, “Every single time we add a piece, it changes the next piece we’re looking for.” His staff is analyzing what they got right—and what they need to adjust moving forward.
One of the biggest takeaways from his first year? The sheer physicality of SEC basketball. You need length and physicality at nearly every position in this league. The Wildcats battled through a grueling SEC slate, and Pope’s experience this season will shape how he builds next year’s roster.
The Brotherhood of Kentucky Basketball
Following Kentucky’s Sweet 16 loss, Pope witnessed something he had never seen before with one of his teams. Instead of retreating to their own spaces, every player on the roster gathered in one hotel room, staying together until 6 AM.
That sense of unity bodes well for Kentucky’s future, especially with players like Trent Noah developing within the program. Pope mentioned that he had a lengthy conversation with Noah just the day before and was thrilled with his defensive strides. However, he also noted that Noah’s next step is adding 15-20 pounds of muscle over the next couple of years to hold up against the SEC’s physical play.
Big Z, Big Dreams, and Big-Time Non-Conference Matchups
Of course, no call-in show would be complete without roster speculation. When a caller asked about Zvonimir Ivišić’s potential return, Pope laughed and responded, “I’d love to give a breakdown on everything we do, but I’m gonna get fired if I do that.”
While Pope remained tight-lipped on roster specifics, he was open about his vision for Kentucky’s future non-conference schedule. He expressed his desire for the Wildcats to participate in marquee events like the Maui Invitational, but due to existing commitments with Rupp Arena, such matchups won’t happen next season.
Pope’s Final Message: “There’s Nowhere Else We’d Rather Be”
As he wrapped up the show, Pope delivered a heartfelt closing statement about his love for Kentucky.
“There is nowhere in the world that my family would rather be.”
With an offseason full of roster decisions, player development, and preparation for year two, Mark Pope is all-in on building a championship-caliber team in Lexington. And if his first year taught him anything, it’s that the Big Blue Nation is behind him every step of the way.