Mark Pope has a plan for Kentucky basketball, and he’s making it clear with his approach to the roster rebuild.
After his introductory press conference on April 14, 2024, at Rupp Arena, where he was joined by former Kentucky greats like Rex Chapman, Pope made his intentions known. He aims to utilize all 13 of his allotted scholarships, with his roster currently standing at 11 players. The potential additions of North Florida transfer Chaz Lanier and former BYU star Jaxson Robinson could complete the lineup.
Analyzing the Roster
Pope’s current roster of 11 raises several questions. Is it an elite lineup? A collection of the best available players? A puzzle that needs to fit together? One Kentucky fan on social media remarked, “This looks like the roster that has beaten us in the NCAA Tournament the past few years.” The roster is notably older than John Calipari’s previous teams, a necessity given that most of Calipari’s 2024 commits scattered.
Pope’s Strategic Approach
Pope’s strategic use of the transfer portal reflects his methodical planning. His background as a Rhodes Scholar candidate and his pivot from Columbia Medical School to coaching highlights his calculated approach. During his tenure at Utah Valley and later at BYU, Pope demonstrated his ability to build successful programs. His success at BYU, particularly in navigating the challenging Big 12 conference, convinced Kentucky athletics director Mitch Barnhart of his capabilities, despite Pope not having an NCAA Tournament win yet.
Roster and Playing Style
Pope knows exactly how he wants his team to play—fast-paced, spread out, and reliant on three-point shooting, similar to the style that propelled the Indiana Pacers to the NBA’s Eastern Conference finals. Key transfers reflect this philosophy:
- Koby Brea (Dayton): 49.8% from three-point range, 3.8 makes per game
- Kerr Krissa (West Virginia): 42.9% from three, 3.5 makes per game
- Ansley Almonor (Fairleigh Dickinson): 39.4% from three, 2.9 makes per game
- Otega Oweh (Oklahoma): 37.7% from three
- Andrew Carr (Wake Forest): 37.1% from three, 6’11” height
Addressing Offensive and Defensive Needs
Critics may worry about the lack of consistent scorers, but potential additions Lanier and Robinson could address this. Lanier averaged 19.7 points per game at North Florida, and Robinson, the Big 12’s Sixth Man of the Year, averaged 14.2 points per game at BYU. Both have declared for the NBA draft but could return before the May 29 withdrawal deadline.
Defensively, Pope has fortified his lineup with standout transfers:
- Lamont Butler (San Diego State): Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year
- Amari Williams (Drexel): Colonial Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year
- Brandon Garrison (Oklahoma State): Promising 6’11” defender
The Big Question
How will this new team gel? No one knows for sure until they hit the court together. There will undoubtedly be challenges, but Pope has not only recruited players based on their positions and skills but also their personalities. With 11 players already on board and two more spots to fill, Pope’s strategic approach aims to build a cohesive, competitive team ready to make a mark in the upcoming season.
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