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.

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.

For the Wildcats to end the 2024-25 season on a positive note, at least four areas of concern must be addressed.

Mark Pope left BYU 10 months ago to return to his alma mater Kentucky, where he plied his craft at the direction of legendary coach Rick Pitino. Now, as head coach roaming the sidelines of Rupp Arena, that leap of faith is paying off big time.

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.

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