Mark Pope is a coach who loves analytics. He studies trends, dives deep into numbers, and builds gameplans around what the data tells him. So why, with Kentucky struggling offensively at times, is he ignoring a solution that’s practically staring him in the face?
The answer is Andrija Jelavic.
The 3-Point Experiment That Isn’t Working
Jelavic arrived at Kentucky known as a mid-post, face-up scorer—a player who could create offense in the paint and around the elbow. Pope, however, has tried to stretch his game to the 3-point line. That experiment has produced minimal results. Jelavic is connecting on just 29% of his 3-point attempts (58 total), a number that makes it clear he’s far more comfortable operating closer to the basket.
Meanwhile, Kentucky has suffered through extended scoring droughts, often struggling to generate clean looks inside. And yet, the team’s most efficient inside scorer is seeing the fewest opportunities near the basket.
Jelavic’s Efficiency Speaks Volumes
Look at the numbers: Jelavic is shooting 67% on 2-point attempts across 61 shots. That’s elite efficiency—not a small-sample fluke. By comparison:
Malachi Moreno: 59% on 139 attempts
Brandon Garrison: 58% on 81 attempts
Mo Dioubate: 58% on 110 attempts
So the player who converts at the highest rate inside—the one who can consistently create offense—is being underutilized. Why give more attempts to players who are statistically less efficient in the paint? The data screams for Jelavic to get the ball more often in the mid-post.
Why Jelavic Works in the Mid-Post
Yes, Jelavic is slender and can be pushed around defensively. But Kentucky’s other bigs aren’t exactly immovable either. What Jelavic does have is skill. He reads the defense, finds seams, and can score efficiently without relying on brute strength.
With proper spacing, cutting, and ball movement around him, Jelavic in the mid-post could:
Break open scoring droughts.
Force defenses into tough rotations and double-teams, creating open shots for teammates.
Give Kentucky a consistent inside-out threat, opening up the floor for perimeter shooters.
The Tim Duncan, Not Robert Horry Approach
Pope seems to want Jelavic to become a stretch-four who knocks down 35% from deep. That’s not his game. His game is inside, efficient, and high-percentage. Think Tim Duncan in his prime: skilled, precise, and able to anchor an offense without needing to shoot from distance. Using him this way could transform Kentucky’s offense and help the team consistently avoid scoring droughts.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Jelavic has proven he can score at an elite rate inside the paint. Kentucky’s analytics-driven coach is all about trends, percentages, and efficiency. The stats are screaming at Pope: feed Jelavic inside. Let him operate where he excels. Give him the touches that maximize the team’s offensive output.
Mark Pope loves numbers. Now the question is: will he listen? Because if he doesn’t, Kentucky could continue to struggle offensively—wasting the team’s most efficient inside scorer in the process.
