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Mark Pope: Kentucky should be the best at everything

Grant Grubbs Profile Pictureby:Grant Grubbs•05/13/25•

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Mar 23, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope reacts during the second half in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Mar 23, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope reacts during the second half in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Mark Pope wants Kentucky to be the golden standard in college basketball. During an offseason press conference on Tuesday, the Wildcats head coach expressed his desire for the program to excel in every category.

“We want to play the hardest schedule. We want to play the best teams. We want to win the most games. We want to have the best players. Want to have the highest NIL. We have the coolest uniforms,” Pope said, per Aaron Gershon. “… We should be the best at everything.”

That’s a tall task for only a second-year head coach. Nonetheless, Pope isn’t shying away from the challenge. Since his introductory press conference at Rupp Arena last spring, Pope has emphasized to fans that he “understands the assignment.”

Evidently, that assignment isn’t limited to winning games, even if that is the ultimate goal. Pope took promising steps toward that goal in his debut campaign at the helm, leading Kentucky to a 24-12 overall record and a 10-8 mark in conference play.

Kentucky defeated Troy and Illinois in the NCAA Tournament before falling to Tennessee in the Sweet Sixteen. While the Wildcats didn’t hang another championship banner from Rupp Arena’s rafters, they did have a historic season.

Most notably, Kentucky picked up eight Top-15 wins, the most in a single season in program history. It was an encouraging sign for fans who initially questioned if Pope could coach at a program as elite as Kentucky.

Pope hasn’t slowed down in the offseason. Kentucky has the No. 2 class in On3’s 2025 Team Transfer Portal Rankings. The group is headlined by standouts such as Jayden Quaintance and Jaland Lowe.

Additionally, Kentucky is adding four-star freshmen Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno this offseason. Of course, Kentucky’s returners Brandon Garrison, Collin Chandler and Trent Noah are each expected to be significant contributors next season as well.

Kentucky’s leading scorer from last season, Otega Oweh, is currently testing the NBA Draft waters but most experts believe he will ultimately return for one more collegiate season. Mark Pope is ensuring that none of his players take the opportunity to play at Kentucky for granted.

“One of the things that we really try and encourage our players to do and our staff also,” Mark Pope said, “I’ll remind the staff all the time, is just like guys just take a look around for one second. Don’t miss this. That’s in the games at Rupp Arena. That’s when we’re on campus, in and out of the community interacting with fans. Nobody gets to do this.”