Jay Bilas believes Kentucky is a Top 15 team under "offensive genius" Mark Pope

Kentucky is No. 23 in the Preseason AP and Coaches Polls. Although the Cats’ roster may lack the star power of those of the John Calipari era, Jay Bilas believes they are a top-15 squad because of Mark Pope’s ingenuity and a plethora of skilled shooters.

Bilas released “The Bilas Index, Vol. 1” this morning, his ranking of the top 68 teams in college basketball. Kentucky is No. 15. In his writeup, Bilas uses some familiar adjectives to describe Pope’s system and the mood in Big Blue Nation.

“There is renewed energy in Lexington due to the arrival of former Wildcat Mark Pope to replace John Calipari at the helm. Pope played at Kentucky for Rick Pitino and won a title in 1996 on one of the all-time great teams in college basketball. Pope is an offensive genius, and there will be 3s raining down in Rupp all season. Pope is a positive influence and thinker, but he does not have a superstar or surefire NBA draft pick on this completely new roster. What he has is loads of very good, very skilled players who can shoot the ball, and that will be nothing but fun. Kentucky will not be star-studded, but the Wildcats will be fun and joyful.”

From shooting to defense and experience, Bilas says the Cats have a little bit of everything. He also snuck in a shoutout to Rupp Arena ice cream, because of course.

“Transfers Jaxson Robinson (BYU) and Koby Brea (Dayton) can both fill it up, and Lamont Butler (San Diego State) provides Final Four experience, leadership and defense. Kerr Kriisa (Arizona and West Virginia) is a daring passer who will have freedom to create, and Otega Oweh (Oklahoma) is a physical defender who will put his body on the line for Big Blue Nation. And, Rupp Arena has the best ice cream in the country, which should be a recruiting advantage.”

Kentucky is one of nine teams from the SEC in the top 25. Alabama is No. 2 behind UConn (No. 1) and ahead of Kansas (No. 3), Houston (No. 4), and Duke (No. 5). Arkansas is No. 11, with Bilas predicting the Razorbacks will continue to “excellent” under John Calipari and that previous Kentucky commit Boogie Fland will be one of the best freshmen in the country.

Here is where all of Kentucky’s opponents rank in the top 68 (Spoiler: Louisville did not make the cut):

2. Alabama (Jan. 18, Feb. 22)
5. Duke (Nov. 12)
8. Gonzaga (Dec. 7)
11. Arkansas (Feb. 1)
12. Auburn (Mar. 1)
14. Texas A&M (Jan. 14)
17. Tennessee (Jan. 28, Feb. 11)
19. Ole Miss (Feb. 4)
22. Texas (Feb. 15)
23. Florida (Jan. 4)
33. Ohio State (Dec. 21)
39. Georgia (Jan. 7)
44. Mississippi State (Jan. 11)
48. Clemson (Dec. 3)
51. Vanderbilt (Jan. 25, Feb. 19)
63. Oklahoma (Feb. 26)

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