Kentucky men’s basketball gave fans an inside look at Mark Pope’s second-year squad on Tuesday as the Field of 68 podcast network hosted nearly two hours of live coverage from practice in Lexington.
The crew spoke with players and Pope himself while showing unfiltered practice footage — from shooting drills to scrimmages — providing Big Blue Nation with one of its best preseason glimpses yet.
Year Two Under Mark Pope
The tone around the program feels noticeably different this fall. Guard Collin Chandler highlighted the smoother transition compared to last year’s overhaul, saying the Wildcats are “locked in” without the distractions of a brand-new staff and roster. Chandler also turned heads with his story about Kam Williams, who buried 10 consecutive threes in Monday’s practice.
Player Highlights
Jasper Johnson, the freshman guard, revealed he’s up to 190 pounds thanks to Pope’s nutrition and strength program.
Brandon Garrison lightened the mood, sharing about life as a father to his two-year-old son.
Point guard Jaland Lowe praised Denzel Aberdeen, calling him a breakout candidate after an “incredible” stretch of recent practices.
Depth was a recurring theme, with several players suggesting Kentucky could realistically go 13-deep — possibly even experimenting with platoons.
Injury Updates
Otega Oweh, the SEC’s preseason Player of the Year, confirmed he’s been sidelined by turf toe but expects to return in two weeks.
Jayden Quaintance is ahead of schedule in his recovery from knee surgery, though Pope stressed patience given the 17-year-old’s age.
Pope Adds His Flair
The head coach brought energy and humor throughout the session — from joking about Louisville coach Pat Kelsey to reflecting on how he once considered the Arizona job back in 2021 before eventually landing at Kentucky.
He also showcased his evolving coaching philosophy, even having big men work on ball-handling rather than being limited to traditional post play.
Optimism Builds
The visit left fans buzzing with optimism. Between added depth, standout individual stories, and Pope’s willingness to innovate, Kentucky looks confident and entertaining just weeks away from tipoff.
The full Field of 68 episode, featuring interviews and practice footage, is available for fans to watch online.
