Honeymoon is over for Mark Pope & Kentucky

Uh-oh, Mark Pope's Kentucky basketball team offer a reminder of John Calipari as losses mount
Mark Pope’s Kentucky Wildcats don’t play any more defense than John Calipari’s final team that couldn’t guard a Division II transfer last March.
For the first time at Kentucky, Mark Pope did not understand the assignment in loss to Coach Cal
Yes, Mark Pope is the man for the job at Kentucky. He’s the shot in the arm this program needed as it turned the page on John Calipari’s run in Lexington. It’s the right voice who pushes the right buttons and has overwhelmingly exceeded early expectations with a roster he put together on short notice and no recruiting base.
Here are four trends that should worry Mark Pope — and Kentucky basketball fans
For the Wildcats to end the 2024-25 season on a positive note, at least four areas of concern must be addressed.
Opinion
Brown: John Calipari beats Mark Pope at own game, as Arkansas stuns Kentucky basketball
Arkansas basketball shot a season-high 52% from 3 to power just its second win in SEC play and its first on the road for coach John Calipari.
Kentucky basketball: Mark Pope's Cats shred Tennessee's vaunted defense in victory
Just how impressive was Kentucky basketball's 3-point shooting in Tuesday's win over Tennessee? The Courier Journal puts it into perspective.
Embarrassment Mounts for Mark Pope as Major Blunder vs. John Calipari Leads to Brutal National Media Reality Check
Mark Pope and his Kentucky Wildcats were riding high after taking down the then-8th seed Tennessee, setting the stage for an electric showdown against Arkansas. The post Embarrassment Mounts for Mark Pope as Major Blunder vs.
Mark Pope's first Kentucky team shares similarities with John Calipari's last
J ohn Calipari's final team as the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats was a frustrating team for Big Blue Nation as the Wildcats were elite on offense, but the defense was horren
Kentucky's Mark Pope gives Lamont Butler, Andrew Carr injury updates after Vanderbilt loss
Unlike Lamont Butler, Andrew Carr was unable to take the floor against the Commodores on Saturday afternoon. A back injury ...
The New York Times7d
Mark Pope’s Kentucky honeymoon phase refuses to fade: ‘This means something’
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Mark Pope rides the elevator at Rupp Arena ... The twins went to the Louisville game in December, stayed after to watch Pope’s postgame radio interview and then marveled ...
The Indianapolis Star11d
Kentucky basketball recruiting 2026: Louisville native Tyran Stokes, 9 others with offers
LEXINGTON — Kentucky basketball hasn't yet wrapped up its 2025 recruiting class. But it's never too soon to begin looking ...
Mark Pope planning to tweak rotation ahead of Kentucky's matchup with South Carolina
Kentucky is looking to bounce back on Saturday against South Carolina after a blowout loss to Ole Miss, now losing four of ...
Kentucky basketball big man Brandon Garrison beginning to add 3-point shooting to his game
Kentucky basketball big man Brandon Garrison didn't attempt a 3 last season at Oklahoma State. This season with UK, he's ...
EssentiallySports on MSN23h
Crisis Deepens for Mark Pope Even After Encouraging Kentucky Locker Room Reports
Kentucky, which once marched confidently into a new era under Mark Pope, now finds itself at a dead end. The post Crisis ...