Which of These Deals Do You Make for the 2024-25 Kentucky Basketball Season?

Life is all about choices and deals. John Calipari made a choice after this season that it was time to leave. Mitch Barnhart made a choice to give the program back to an alum. Fans make choices all the time about what to think about various teams. But sometimes conflicting options arise and it can be hard for a fan. For instance, Reed Sheppard’s success last season was a great joy for fans. But then the team flamed out in the 1st round. I’m not sure that was a good trade-off.

So what I’ve done is come up with a series of deals you could make for the 2024-25 season. I wonder if you would make them.

DEAL 1: SWEPT BY TENNESSEE BUT BEAT ARKANSAS

So this deal has a couple of different aspects. First and foremost, you are trading 2 losses for 1 win. And one of those losses will be at Rupp Arena. Secondly, Rick Barnes seemed to have John Calipari’s number for much of the back end of his tenure. I think this annoyed a lot of fans because it seemed UT was outcoaching the Cats in many of those games. Getting swept by the Vols in Year 1 of the Pope era wouldn’t change that idea much.

But on the flip side, you beat John Calipari and Arkansas in Rupp Arena. That will be one of the most highly anticipated games in recent memory. I think for almost every UK fan, and certainly, those who were cheering for a coaching change, beating Calipari will be sweet vindication. And many might be willing to give up a couple of losses to get that.

DEAL 2: FINISH OUTSIDE THE TOP 3 IN THE SEC BUT WIN THE SEC TOURNAMENT

This basically comes down to how important is the SEC Tournament to you. UK has been such a flop in that event since 2020 that many fans are absolutely starved for a deep run in Nashville. But what if it came with a decent amount of SEC regular season losses? To finish 4th or worse in the regular season, you probably would lose 5-8 games. Would you be willing to take a so-so January through March to win 3 games in the SEC Tournament?

DEAL 3: MAKE ELITE 8 BUT LOSE TO LOUISVILLE IN REGULAR SEASON

I feel like the fanbase has been so focused on our coaching change and Cal to Arkansas that we’ve glossed over that Louisville has a new coach and he’s put together a much-improved roster. While the game is in Rupp next season, the rosters on paper are not significantly separated. The Cards could be an NCAA Tournament team this year. That will not be an automatic win.

But what if I could guarantee an Elite 8 run but you have to give UofL the win? Ultimately, isn’t the NCAA Tournament the most important thing? But is the Elite 8 far enough to give up the rivalry for a year?

DEAL 4: MAKE THE FINAL FOUR BUT LOSE TO ARKANSAS THERE

How about this one? Kentucky makes a Final Four in Year 1 of the Mark Pope era. We would be so back. But what if John Calipari’s Hogs were waiting for us there and Arkansas got the win? Keep in mind that means Arkansas would be in the national championship game in Year 1 with the coach we largely pushed away. But it also means that Mark Pope can clearly succeed at a high level here, making a Final Four in his first year. So you would know the program was in good hands but also would have an absolute crushing defeat to end the season.