Kentucky fans hoping for a fresh identity under new head coach Mark Pope might be getting exactly what they wished for — and then some.
Practice clips from early summer workouts are beginning to surface, and there’s one clear takeaway: this isn’t just a new roster — it’s a whole new system.
Gone are the days of traditional, one-dimensional schemes. What we’re seeing from Pope’s Wildcats is pace, spacing, and unpredictability. Multiple ball-handlers are pushing the tempo, wings are crashing from unexpected angles, and the bigs? They’re stretching the floor. Yes, you read that right.
> “Mark Pope has always believed in modern basketball principles,” one team insider said. “But what he’s doing with this group is bold — he’s tailoring the system around their versatility, not just trying to plug players into roles.”
From the footage:
Otega Oweh and Collin Chandler are initiating offense off rebounds and pushing in transition
Trent Noah is finding space as a knockdown shooter in movement-heavy sets
Brandon Garrison is stepping out for pick-and-pops and hitting mid-range jumpers with confidence
Andrija Jelavic is switching defensively and even bringing the ball up after stops
Spacing is wide, rotations are crisp, and the ball is flying around the perimeter
This is a positionless system with purpose.
But here’s where things get really interesting: Pope isn’t just installing something trendy — he’s building a scheme that maximizes this roster’s unique talents. With high-level experience from transfers like Oweh and Garrison, plus exciting young prospects like combo guard Jasper Johnson, four-star center Malachi Moreno, four-star wing Braydon Hawthorne, and Croatian power forward Andrija Jelavic, this team is built to think, move, and attack from every angle.
“Everything we do has to fit these guys,” Pope reportedly told his staff. “We’re not playing catch-up — we’re setting the tone.”
And fans are already responding.
On social media, #BBN is buzzing over the clips. One fan posted:
> “You can already see the difference. This team looks connected in a way we haven’t seen in years.”
Another added:
> “We’re gonna be a nightmare to scout. You can’t prepare for this level of unpredictability.”
