The Kentucky Wildcats will open a new era under first-year coach Mark Pope against Wright State after wrapping up their exhibition season with a 123-52 win over Kentucky Wesleyan. They also cruised to a 98-67 win over defending Division II national champion Minnesota State, averaging 110.5 points per game in those contests. The 51-point average margin of victory was the highest for a Kentucky team during exhibition games since the 2016-17 season. Pope was a player on Kentucky's 1996 national championship team, but he will deal with a new level of pressure as he takes over for former head coach John Calipari.
The Wildcats played in four Final Fours and won the 2012 national title under Calipari, while Pope has never won an NCAA Tournament game as a head coach. Kentucky heads into the season ranked No. 23 in the AP poll, putting the Wildcats behind seven teams in the SEC. If you want to see the latest Kentucky basketball news, be sure to see what the proven team of insiders are saying at CatsPause, the 247Sports affiliate that covers Kentucky.
The team of insiders at CatsPause.com are providing up-to-the-minute scoop on the latest intel surrounding the Kentucky basketball coaching transition and roster changes. CatsPause has built a solid reputation over its 20+ years covering the Wildcats, and has deep-rooted sources inside and around the Kentucky athletic department. And right now, CatsPause is offering $1 for the first month*, so now is the time to sign up.
The team at CatsPause has full coverage of Kentucky's roster overhaul and practice reports leading up to the season opener. Head to CatsPause now to see all the insider info.
Top Kentucky Wildcats basketball roster storylines
Pope had to essentially build Kentucky's roster from scratch following Calipari's departure, but he was able to bring in several high-level transfers. One of them is graduate transfer guard Jaxson Robinson, who played under Pope at BYU. Robinson was named to the watch list for both the Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy Men's College Basketball Player of the Year and the Naismith Julius Erving Award earlier this week. Robinson was the 2023-24 Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year, averaging 14.2 points per game for the Cougars.
He is expected to be in the starting lineup on Monday night, potentially joining players like San Diego State transfer Lamont Butler. Drexel transfer Amari Williams, Oklahoma transfer Otega Oweh and Wake Forest transfer Andrew Carr. Pope also brought in Dayton transfer Koby Brea, Oklahoma State transfer Brandon Garrison and FDU transfer Ansley Almonor. Additionally, the Wildcats have several freshmen who are expected to get some minutes, so Pope has many decisions to make as he rounds out the depth chart. Stay up to date on the latest news involving Kentucky basketball at CatsPause.
How to get insider Kentucky basketball updates
Kentucky's basketball roster will also feature a talented group of youngsters, including a freshman who can shoot the lights out from 3-point range, so be sure to join CatsPause to see who that is and get the rest of the insider roster news.
How is Kentucky's basketball roster shaping up, and which freshman can make an instant impact for the Wildcats? Go to CatsPause to see their insider information, all from a team of reporters with years of experience covering the Wildcats, and find out. And reminder, CatsPause is offering $1 for the first month*, so subscribe now before it's too late.
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