Last year, all the buzz around Mark Pope’s debut season at Kentucky centered on his offense. Fans were thrilled by his fast-paced, 3-point-heavy system and couldn’t wait to see it unleashed inside Rupp Arena. And for a while, the Wildcats delivered exactly what was promised — fireworks on one end and fun basketball every night.
But that same excitement came with a cost.
Kentucky’s offense ranked among the best in the country, but defensively, the Cats were far from elite. By midseason, they had slipped outside the top 100 in defensive efficiency, finishing at No. 51 — solid, but not championship caliber.
Now, heading into year two, Pope is determined to change that.
A New Defensive Identity
This fall, the Wildcats’ practices have looked very different from last year’s. Instead of spending most of their time on spacing, shooting, and offensive flow, Kentucky is digging into defensive fundamentals — with a major emphasis on aggression and disruption.
“We’d like to find a way to be way more aggressive,” Pope said. “We want to force teams to be more uncomfortable.”
That’s a big philosophical shift for Pope, whose teams haven’t traditionally ranked high in forcing turnovers. In fact, only one of his previous 10 squads finished inside the top 200 nationally in defensive turnover rate. But his longtime assistant Cody Fueger says that’s exactly what they plan to fix.
“We’re going to try to make a massive jump there,” Fueger said. “This is probably our best-built roster for that type of defense.”
Building a Roster That Can Defend
Pope and his staff made it clear during the offseason that toughness and athleticism were top priorities. And they delivered.
Mouhamed Dioubate brings muscle and energy to the frontcourt. Brandon Garrison returns as a physical anchor inside. Otega Oweh and Collin Chandler have both earned praise for their perimeter defense, while newcomers like Denzel Aberdeen and Kam Williams add length and speed on the wings. When 6-foot-10 Jayden Quaintance returns from injury, he’s expected to be a defensive game-changer.
“Guys are getting better and better,” Fueger said. “We’re spending a lot of time on that end, and it’s paying off.”
Inspired by the NBA’s Best
When asked what influenced his defensive overhaul, Pope pointed to the NBA Finals — specifically the Oklahoma City Thunder’s title run.
“I think watching that OKC–Indiana series has got everybody kind of on edge about extending the floor,” Pope said.
OKC led the NBA in forced turnovers the past three seasons, using full-court pressure and relentless ball pressure to fuel its offense. Pope sees a similar blueprint for Kentucky — pressure the ball, push opponents farther from the basket, and turn defense into transition points.
Guard Collin Chandler said fans already saw flashes of that in the Blue-White Game. “We’re focusing on jamming — picking up full court, making the offense feel rushed,” he said. “That’s going to be big for us.”
Turning Defense Into Offense
Kentucky’s coaches believe this shift will not only tighten up the defense but also supercharge their offense.
Last season, UK ranked 10th nationally in offensive efficiency — and that was with injuries to key guards like Kerr Kriisa and Jaxson Robinson. Pope and Fueger want to climb even higher this year, and their plan is simple: let defense fuel the offense.
“If we can defend, it’s going to turn into better offense,” Fueger said.
Chandler agrees. “We’re trying to get in transition — transition 3s are great for us,” he said. “The more stops and turnovers we get, the more chances we have to shoot.”
Kentucky averaged just over 25 three-point attempts per game last year. This season, they’re aiming for 35 — a number Pope believes is attainable with faster pace and more transition opportunities.
Back to the Boards
Another major focus this offseason: offensive rebounding. Last year, Kentucky ranked just 13th in the SEC and 229th nationally in that category — numbers that Pope wants nowhere near his program’s standards.
Enter Dioubate, whose motor and physicality make him a force on the glass. Oweh, Garrison, Quaintance, and freshman big man Malachi Moreno are also expected to contribute heavily.
“I feel like this year we’re going to be really balanced,” Oweh said. “We’ve got multiple guys who can crash the boards every play.”
More offensive rebounds mean more possessions, more kick-outs, and more open threes — exactly what Pope wants.
A Touch of Pitino’s Pressure?
Don’t be surprised if Kentucky breaks out some full-court press this year. Pope hinted that he may borrow a page from Rick Pitino’s playbook — fitting, considering it’s the 30th anniversary of the 1996 national championship team he co-captained.
That ’96 squad forced over 22 turnovers per game and led the nation in scoring.
“We have the personnel, we have the depth, and we have the athleticism to extend pressure,” Pope said. “It’s hard to do in college basketball now, but I think we can.”
