Jon Rothstein calls Kentucky an 'NCAA Tournament team' after watching practice

CBS Sports college basketball insider Jon Rothstein is making his practice rounds, visiting the likes of Duke, North Carolina, Louisville, Rutgers, Wake Forest and NC State in recent days. His latest stop? Lexington to check out the Kentucky Wildcats under first-year coach Mark Pope.

He previously ranked Kentucky as a middle-of-the-pack team in the SEC at No. 9 overall in his conference projections — a controversial pick, but one he justified due to the “major, major jumps” many of the “brand-new” team’s incoming transfers were set to make.

“All of those players are stepping up a different weight class and Mark Pope is stepping up a different weight class, as well,” Rothstein said at the time.

What are his thoughts after seeing the Wildcats in person? He believes it’s a group expected to make the NCAA Tournament with plenty of weapons.

“The Wildcats have known commodities with Jaxson Robinson, Andrew Carr and Drexel transfer Amari Williams, but the mystery surrounding Kentucky entering 2024-25 is the type of alignment that Mark Pope uses in the Wildcat backcourt to start the season,” he said. “There is a bevy of options at Pope’s disposal — Lamont Butler, Kerr Kriisa, Koby Brea, Otega Oweh all look like potential starters for Pope, who has a brand new team from last season. Kentucky looks like an NCAA Tournament team in 2025, but the makeup of the perimeter will be fascinating to watch from now until opening night on November 4.”

ROTHSTEIN REACTION: KENTUCKY. pic.twitter.com/P97ka39Z0p

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 1, 2024

Elsewhere, he listed Lamont Butler, Koby Brea, Jaxson Robinson, Andrew Carr and Amari Williams as his five projected starters while the perimeter will be “fascinating to watch unfold” with Butler, Kriisa, Oweh, Brea and Robinson all competing for three spots.

“Lots of different pieces to mix and match,” he said.

As for some behind-the-scenes insight, Rothstein spoke to Mark Pope, who singled out Andrew Carr as “Kentucky’s most efficient player” up to this point.

“Going to be a major focal point at (power forward),” he wrote. “The Cats’ staff feels he can have a similar impact to Grant Nelson last season at Alabama.”

How about a surprise? Kentucky may have one in Collin Chandler.

“The surprise here at Kentucky practice has been freshman guard Collin Chandler,” Rothstein added. “Former BYU commit hasn’t played in a bit due to a Mormon Mission, but is really talented. Going to be in the Wildcats’ rotation.”

What do you think, BBN? Is Rothstein coming around on the Cats?