The buzz around Lexington is getting louder as the Kentucky Wildcats ramp up practices ahead of their second season under head coach Mark Pope. With a roster full of fresh faces, one question hangs in the air: just how good can this team be?
If the early feedback is any indication, the answer might be very good.
National media members have started checking in on the Cats, and one of the most encouraging updates came from J. Kyle Mann of The Ringer, who was in the gym recently. Mann, who has built a strong reputation in the basketball scouting and NBA Draft world, couldn’t help but note the massive leap Kentucky has taken compared to last year.
> “One of the big things that jumped out immediately is…man, what a difference a year makes,” Mann said on social media after attending a practice. “Last year I left wondering if there was even one NBA player on the floor. This year?
That kind of reaction is music to Big Blue Nation’s ears.
Mann explained that last season, the roster had only a couple of guys who grabbed his attention, but this year the depth and talent level made it hard to know where to look first. The Wildcats are stocked with players who not only stand out individually but also seem to be gelling as a group.
The analyst, who also happens to be a Kentucky native and lifelong fan, shared additional thoughts breaking down individual players and how their styles mesh together. His full video offers even more insight into why this roster could be special.
For now, though, one thing is clear: Kentucky basketball is already turning heads in practice—and this team might just be as good as advertised.
