Kentucky handled business in their season opener, even with their offense looking far from polished. But as the numbers keep rolling in, one concern that’s quietly building under the surface might be impossible for Mark Pope to overlook much longer — let’s break it down.
It’s way too early to hit the panic button — but Kentucky fans have seen enough basketball over the years to know when something feels a little off.
Through three games — two exhibitions and the regular-season opener — one concern that’s quietly bubbling up around Mark Pope’s new-look Wildcats is their outside shooting. The sample size is tiny, but the numbers haven’t been kind.
Kentucky has hit just 26.7% of its three-point attempts (23-for-86) across the three contests. That includes a 0-for-13 second half from deep in the exhibition loss to Georgetown and a 2-for-16 first half in the 77–51 win over Nicholls to start the season.
“I just think our shot selection was a little bit off,” said guard Denzel Aberdeen, explaining the team’s rough start from beyond the arc against Nicholls.
A Chilly Start From Deep
So far, only Otega Oweh (37.5%) and Collin Chandler (35.7%) are shooting above 33% from three among players who have taken at least five attempts. The rest? Let’s just say it’s been icy:
Kam Williams: 15.9% (2-for-13)
Denzel Aberdeen: 20% (2-for-10)
Jasper Johnson: 29.4% (5-for-17)
Trent Noah: 30% (3-for-10)
Of course, Jaland Lowe’s absence hasn’t helped. Kentucky’s expected floor general has been out since the Blue-White scrimmage with a shoulder injury, though he could return as soon as Friday night against Valparaiso.
Forward Mouhamed Dioubate believes Lowe’s presence will make a big difference:
> “Having Jaland back, the offense is going to be more comfortable. We’ve been practicing with Jaland all summer long; he was most of our offense. Once he comes back, I think we’re gonna get better looks, more open shots, and more spacing on the court.”
Trusting Pope’s Track Record
If there’s a reason for optimism, it’s Mark Pope’s offensive history.
At BYU, his teams were among the most efficient in college basketball — ranking in the top 50 in adjusted offensive efficiency four times, and twice cracking the top 15 nationally.
And last year? Pope’s first season back at Kentucky was a masterpiece on that end. The Wildcats finished:
10th in adjusted offensive efficiency,
7th in scoring (84.4 points per game),
20th in assists, and
21st in fast-break points.
They also shot 37.5% from three, a far cry from what we’ve seen early this season.
The Difference in Roster Construction
Part of the shooting drop-off may come down to roster makeup. Pope’s first UK team was loaded with proven scorers — seven of the nine transfers he brought in had averaged double figures the year before.
This season’s roster? Only two players — Oweh (16.2 ppg) and Lowe (16.8 ppg) — averaged double digits last year. That’s a huge difference in proven offensive firepower.
Still, Pope’s system has a way of lifting players’ efficiency. Last year, most of Kentucky’s transfer-heavy lineup improved in assists, field-goal percentage, or both. Even players who didn’t score much more than before found better rhythm within the offense.
It’s too soon to make sweeping judgments after just one regular-season game and two exhibitions. But if you’re a Kentucky fan who likes to find one thing to worry about — the team’s three-point shooting might be the place to start.
History says Pope’s system eventually clicks. But for now, the Wildcats’ outside shooting remains the biggest question mark in an otherwise promising start.
