Mark Pope: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Kentucky basketball's success projection for the next 25 years will outrage Big Blue Nation

Without a doubt, Kentucky is the most successful and historic program in all of college basketball. It has obviously been over a decade since the Wildcats have won a national title, but things seem to be trending in the right direction under Mark Pope.

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According to a recruit's father Mark Pope isn't afraid to flaunt Kentucky's resources

Kentucky hosted a very important target on an official visit this past weekend in 2026 top five prospect Caleb Holt. The staff was hoping to make a good impression on Holt and his family, and it seems like they did that.

Kentucky Wildcats News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / September 11

College basketball analytics continue to fall in love with the Kentucky Wildcats

Many college basketball experts are believers in this 2025-26 Kentucky basketball team, so fans have been curious to see what the analytics have to say about this team.

Kentucky Wildcats News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / September 11

Should fans be concerned with Kentucky's three-point shooting?

Last season, Mark Pope's first squad at Kentucky was filled with shooters everywhere. Led by Koby Brea, who was an extremely efficient shooter, that was one area that wasn't a weakness at all.

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Kentucky Wildcats News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / September 11

According to CBS Sports Kentucky has three of the best defenders in college basketball

In year one of the Mark Pope era, the defense wasn't great for the Kentucky Wildcats as it finished ranked 51st in KenPom, and the defense struggled mightily in the loss to Tennessee in the Sweet 16.

Kentucky Wildcats News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / September 10

Three Kentucky Wildcats who will be key for a deep NCAA Tournament run

Kentucky basketball hasn't seen all that much NCAA Tournament success over the last handful of years, but in year one of the Mark Pope era, he took the Wildcats to the Sweet 16.

Kentucky Wildcats News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / September 8

Are opposing teams and fan bases no longer scared of Kentucky basketball?

The argument can be made that Kentucky is the greatest college basketball program of all time, but it has been over a decade since the Wildcats last won a National Title.

Kentucky Wildcats News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / September 5

The top-ranked big man in 2026 has included Kentucky in his top 5 schools

The Kentucky basketball staff has been all over the country this week recruiting as the live period kicked off on Tuesday. One of the players they were in for this week has narrowed down his list.

Kentucky Wildcats News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / September 5

What will it take for Mark Pope to become a coaching legend at Kentucky?

When Mark Pope was hired to be the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats, the initial reaction was a bit of shock. The Wildcats at first were after some bigger names, but after missing on some different options, Mitch Barnhart went with Pope, who holds a special place in the hearts of Big Blue Nation.

Kentucky Wildcats News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / September 5

Who has the Kentucky staff visited since the recruiting period began?

The recruiting live period has ramped up since it began on Tuesday morning at midnight, where many coaches are out making in-home visits as well as attending practices and getting a closer look at many of their top targets.

College Basketball News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / September 4

Who are the three toughest opponents on Kentucky basketball's 2025-26 schedule?

Mark Pope made a statement with who he scheduled for the Kentucky Wildcats in the non-conference next season. The Wildcats will face teams such as St. John's, Louisville, Indiana, North Carolina, Gonzaga and Michigan State, not even counting their preseason exhibition matchups with Purdue and Georgetown.

College Basketball News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / September 4

The final few years of John Calipari's time at Kentucky set Mark Pope up for success

It has been a very interesting few years for the Kentucky basketball program as John Calipari left for Arkansas and Mitch Barnhart hired a former Wildcat player, Mark Pope to be the new coach.

Kentucky Wildcats News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / September 3

Mark Pope's genius transfer portal strategy will lead Kentucky to an elite season

In the new world of college basketball, the transfer portal is very important, and Kentucky's head coach Mark Pope has done an excellent job of utilizing it during his short time in Lexington.

Kentucky Wildcats News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / September 3

Mark Pope went on a peculiar recruiting visit to see 2026 five-star PG Tay Kinney

Mark Pope and his coaching staff are working hard to land recruits in the 2026 class, and one of the top recruits Kentucky is pushing after is five-star point guard Tay Kinney.

Kentucky Wildcats News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / September 2

Five burning questions for Kentucky before the college basketball season starts

There is a ton of excitement and belief surrounding this Kentucky basketball team, but as is the case with any team, there are some questions surrounding the Wildcats.

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College Basketball News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / September 2

A Bleacher Report 2026 NBA Mock Draft has a handful of positives for Kentucky

Mark Pope has an abundance of talent on his 2025-26 Kentucky basketball team, which is one of the reasons many believe the Wildcats are in for a special season.

Kentucky Wildcats News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / September 1

Making the case for which Kentucky Wildcat should start at power forward

Mark Pope has brought in two new players at the power forward position, and these two players will be competing over the next few months to see who will start for the Wildcats.

College Basketball News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / August 29

Update on Kentucky's 2026 basketball recruiting efforts

Mark Pope and the Kentucky staff have casted a very wide net in the 2026 class, involved with nearly a dozen of the top 15 recruits in the class. As a handful of Kentucky targets begin to take their fall visits, it's time to take a look at where things stand with some of the program's top targets in the class.

Kentucky Wildcats News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / August 27

Three Kentucky Wildcats given odds to win College Basketball's National Player of the Year

Mark Pope has a few players on his 2025-26 roster that could be some of the best players in all of college basketball this season. There are a lot of names that could be added to this list, but the top three would likely be Otega Oweh, Jaland Lowe, and Jayden Quaintance.

Kentucky Wildcats News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / August 27

Is Kentucky's seed too low in ESPN's recent Bracketology update?

There is no offseason for ESPN's Joe Lunardi, as he is always working hard to make sure he is updating his Bracketology even during the summer. Yesterday brought another update to the Bracketology, and once again, the Kentucky Wildcats were a three-seed.

Kentucky Wildcats News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / August 26

Could a surprise player jump into the starting lineup for Mark Pope's Kentucky Wildcats?

College basketball is a lot closer than most fans think, and Kentucky fans are quite excited. This is one of the most highly anticipated college basketball seasons in Lexington in some time, as it looks like Mark Pope is going to have a top ten team to begin the season.

College Basketball News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / August 25