Men's Basketball

Takeaways From Kentucky Basketball Pro Day

Published

5 months ago

October 9, 2024

The Kentucky Wildcats hosted their 2024 pro day in front of all 32 NBA teams, here are the biggest takeaways.

Chet White | UK Athletics

In the 10th annual Kentucky Pro Day the Wildcats now had a different man at the helm but that did not change the objective. Show the NBA scouts the talent that the Wildcats are going to put on the court this year. We will be going over our biggest takeaways from the 1st Pro Day under new Kentucky basketball head coach Mark Pope.

THE CATS PLAY FAST

One of the most interesting things about this open practice was how Pope ran it to keep the players fast and always moving. This was shown no better than when he set the shot clock to 12 to force the players to play with urgency always looking for a shot.

We learned later that Pope usually sets the clock to 20 in his practices but moved it up to 12 to show the scouts just how fast these guys can play.

Coach Pope wants to put up points in any way necessary and you can tell that by watching any film from his tenure at BYU. With the talent he has already brought to Kentucky, you can expect exciting play to follow if pro day taught us anything.

Lamont Butler and Brandon Garrison Lead the Cats on Defense

While everyone raves about Pope’s offensive philosophy rightfully so, we cannot forget to mention the key players that will make the defense for this Kentucky team.

Starting with Lamont Butler is one of the best on-ball defenders in the country and will no doubt be the starting point guard for this team. Not to mention the voice of the Wildcats with his veteran leadership. Butler knows what it takes to win in March and will be the leader of this team.

While it’s almost certain Brandon Garrison will not be in the starting lineup for Kentucky come November, he will certainly get minutes off the bench because of the paint presence he brings.

The speed at which he moves while guarding the ball is also very impressive for someone of his size. That coupled with his ability to protect the rim will guarantee he gets minutes coming off the bench to guard some of the toughest bigs Kentucky will face.

Kentucky will Shoot the Lights Out

If it wasn’t obvious from the film of these players at their former schools, Pope went out and got him some shooters in his first offseason as the Kentucky basketball coach.

At any given point Kentucky is guaranteed to have four players on the court at all times who will be able to make the three at a high clip.

This helps with the shooting presence of Wake Forest transfer Andrew Carr who showed in the pro day that when he’s hot it’s hard for him to miss, coupled with Travis Perry who Pope said has been doing things that he’s “never seen at any level of basketball”.

Not to mention Dayton transfer Koby Brea who was a hot commodity this offseason with the likes of every blue blood after him in the portal. Honorable mention for Ansley Almonor and let’s not forget Jaxson Robinson’s ability to shoot from any spot on the floor including being the top guy to create his shot.

The Freshmen Surprise

Yes, this is one of the oldest teams in the country when it comes to experience on the floor in college basketball, but let’s not forget the guys playing their first years post-high school.

Collin Chandler has the highest ceiling out of everyone on the roster given what we saw tonight and considering it’s been two years since seeing the floor in a competitive basketball environment. The kid can play with his athleticism and when he gets more consistent from behind the arc, watch out.

Travis Perry needs no introduction the all-time leading scorer in Kentucky high school basketball history has gotten a ton of praise from Pope this offseason. Perry can shoot it with the best of them so don’t be surprised to see the kid get a good amount of minutes on this year’s roster.

Let’s not forget Trent Noah, the former South Carolina commit has shown early the potential he has in future years at UK. He may not get to see the floor much this year with the array of veterans Pope put on this year’s roster, but the kid is only going to get better.

Men's Basketball

Mark Pope Explains the Science of Arguing With SEC Officials: “It’s Just Kind of Picking and Choosing”

Does the squeaky wheel get the grease when it comes to referees? Mark Pope has an answer when it comes to his experience in the SEC.

Published

7 hours ago

March 11, 2025

Lane Mills

Kentucky head coach Mark Pope questioned a referee during the game

Matt Stone | IMAGN

In his first year in what is unarguably the toughest, most physical conference in college basketball, Mark Pope has become known for cutting SEC officials more slack than most of his coaching counterparts.

Time and time again, in the face of frustration from fans, journalists and even his own players, Pope has, for the most part, kept his cool with the black and white stripes. But his facial expressions tell all, and sometimes, that trademark smile fades fast when a questionable whistle blows.

On Monday’s Mark Pope show, the coach was asked about “squeaky wheels getting the grease,” in reference to coaches who chirp the officials getting a favorable whistle from them. His response should draw a sigh of relief from those who throw their hands up when the opposing team treks to the line once more.

I’ll be really honest,” he began. “Early on in our SEC run… it was unfortunate that it really did appear, like if you had a tantrum every two seconds that you kind of earned the attention of the referees, and they would actually respond. That’s how I felt.”

The Slightest Whisper

Pope then mentioned his plan coming in, which was to ignore the officials entirely. While he still views that ideal in a positive light, he didn’t deny the success that other coaches were having on the opposite end of the spectrum.

“I can be really productive to do it in a constructive way. Sometimes a whisper can be way more effective and way more moving than a tantrum,” he encouraged. “It’s just kind of picking and choosing.”

Pick your battles, Coach Pope. As long as this philosophy lasts, Kentucky could continue to get a less-than-favorable whistle against juggernaut conference opponents. Though, all the same, after an entire season enduring a controversy that seemed to only impact those watching from home, hearing Coach Pope even so much as acknowledge it is certainly a step in the right direction.

If you support Mark Pope’s positivity in one instance, you’ll have to deal with the ramifications in every facet: on the floor, off the floor, and everywhere in between. The Cats will have to win the occasional 8v5 until one side gives.

Men's Basketball

Rockets Rookie Reed Sheppard to Miss at Least Four Weeks With Thumb Injury

Published

2 days ago

March 10, 2025

Kai McClelland

Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (15) reacts after a play during the game.

Troy Taormina | Imagn

On Thursday, March 6, Reed Sheppard slapped down on the ball while New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson had the ball in is hands around the halfway mark of the fourth quarter.

The Rockets, who were up a wide margin on the road, subbed in the former Kentucky guard to begin the fourth quarter, however, he would be subbed out soon after fouling Williamson.

Sheppard, drafted No. 3 overall after an illustrious freshman season, was coming off of one of his best professional performances, where he scored a career-high 25 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 3.

Rockets Head Coach Ime Udoka announced on Saturday, March 8, that Sheppard’s injury is to the top of his thumb and not the lower portion, which is the “better outcome” for the rookie. Regardless, he fractured his thumb.

Udoka added that Sheppard will be in a splint cast for about four weeks as he recovers.

Although the former Wildcat hasn’t particularly been great in the NBA thus far, averaging just 3.9 points, he was starting to see a jump in minutes off of the bench for one of the best in the West.

On Monday, Jan. 6, Sheppard was assigned to the team’s G-league affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. The following day, in his debut, he dropped 49 points, going 17-33 from the field and 8-19 from three. He also tacked on six assists, five rebounds and three steals.

This performance kick started his role for the Rockets, seeing an increase of minutes from 5.3 per game to 11.8 per game as January turned to February.

Now, with an unfortunate setback, Sheppard will be forced to watch as the Houston Rockets look to finish their regular season with 50 or more wins for the first time since the 2018-19 season.

Men's Basketball

Kentucky’s NCAA Tournament Fate: The Latest in Bracketology

As the Mark Pope’s inaugural season comes to a close, where do the bracket experts see he and Kentucky landing on Selection Sunday?

Published

4 days ago

March 7, 2025

Lane Mills

Kirby Lee | Imagn

With the dust finally starting to settle on Mark Pope’s first year in the driver’s seat, Kentucky’s outlook for March Madness is beginning to take shape as Selection Sunday (March 16) closes in.

After entering the season ranked #23 in the AP poll, the ‘Cats have been in just about every possible position. From rising as far as #4 in week seven to dropping all the way back down to #19 (where they are currently), the team have been in-and-out of the “championship hopefuls” mix all season.

Big, trademark wins against teams like Duke, Tennessee (x2), Florida and Gonzaga had pundits singing the unit’s praises, while puzzling losses to Ohio State, Georgia, and Texas inspired the exact opposite sort of dialogue.

Though as confusing as the year has been on the whole, the overall consensus of the “bracketologists” seems see Kentucky between the 3-5 seed lines on that fateful day. Read below, and let us know what you make of Kentucky’s potential road to San Antonio!

Bracket Matrix: (3.21, last 3-seed)

*Combines all bracketology and averages each team’s seed.