Mark Pope addresses high expectations for Kentucky each year: 'I love every bit of it'

Kentucky‘s practice court was once surrounded by banners of its plentiful NBA talent. Now, it holds only nine — eight show the years which the Wildcats won it all. The ninth, which sits to the right of ’12, reads: #9 The Assignment.

That number seems to be a theme surrounding the UK men’s basketball program this offseason. This comes after head coach Mark Pope was given his first full offseason to shape this year’s team in his image.

Pope went on to sign the second-best transfer portal class this offseason, as well as bringing in a top-20 recruiting class. It’s no surprise that expectations for the Wildcats are high heading into year two of Pope’s tenure.

“The expectation here has nothing to do with me setting it,” Pope said. “It’s what it is at Kentucky. It’s one of the things that sets us different, sets us apart from every other program in the country. I happen to love it. I love every bit of it. I’m so grateful to be here where the expectation is that there’s only one ending to the season that actually makes it a satisfying season.

“I’m grateful to be in this environment. It comes with everything that you guys all know that it comes with. But that’s where I want to be, and I’m grateful that’s where our guys want to be, and they feel it.”

The expectations are what make us different. pic.twitter.com/7cTQXEJAKj

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) July 21, 2025

Seven players transferred into Pope’s program this offseason — Kam Williams, Jaland Lowe, Mouhamed Dioubate, Jayden Quaintance, Andrija Jelavic, Reece Potter and Denzel Aberdeen. He also adds two incoming freshmen in Malachi Moreno and Jasper Johnson, both of which are in-state commits.

Otega Oweh headlines the group of four returners. The other three who will return for a second season at Kentucky are Brandon Garrison, Trent Noah and Collin Chandler. Pope expects each one to be ready to lead the Wildcats deep into March this season.

“It comes with all the complications you can imagine. But as an athlete, those are the complications you want to sign up for,” Pope said.

Kentucky already has a host of marquee opponents lineup up for the 2025-26 season. They’ll play Louisville earlier than usual (Nov. 11), as well as Michigan State (Nov. 18), North Carolina (Dec. 2), Gonzaga (Dec. 5), Indiana (Dec. 13) and St. John’s (Dec. 20) as a part of a star-studded non-conference schedule — one fit for a college basketball blue blood.