Mark Pope’s Second Year in Lexington Is Already Making National Noise
The Mark Pope era at Kentucky is heating up — and it hasn’t even started year two. After a solid foundation in his debut season, the former Wildcat player-turned-head coach has built a roster that’s catching the attention of national analysts, insiders, and now, the advanced metrics crowd.
One of the most respected voices in college basketball analytics, Evan Miyakawa, has released his preseason rankings, and the numbers speak for themselves.
Kentucky is ranked #10 in the country — and that’s not based on hype, history, or headlines. It’s based on data.
Inside the Numbers: How Good Is This Kentucky Team?
According to Miyakawa’s model:
#10 Overall National Ranking
#9 in Defensive Efficiency
#16 in Offensive Efficiency
In a landscape dominated by metrics, this puts Kentucky among the nation’s most balanced teams. The defense, especially, is being pegged as elite — a testament to Pope’s system and the roster’s athletic versatility.
While offensive efficiency still has room to grow, landing in the top 20 shows that Kentucky is far
