Mark Pope’s First Kentucky Team Built to Defend
Mark Pope’s first season as the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats is shaping up to be a departure from the high-powered offenses the program has become known for. Instead, Pope is assembling a roster focused on defense and toughness, a stark contrast to the one-and-done talents that have defined Kentucky basketball in recent years.
The roster overhaul Pope has orchestrated since taking over for the retired John Calipari has been nothing short of dramatic. Gone are the Wildcats’ leading scorer Reed Sheppard and several other key contributors, all of whom have either declared for the NBA Draft or entered the transfer portal. In their place, Pope has brought in a bevy of experienced transfers, each with a reputation for defensive intensity and grit.
“We’re going to surprise a lot of people,” Pope said in a recent interview. “This team is built to defend, and that’s going to be our identity.”[1]
Among the notable transfers Pope has secured are Amari Williams from Drexel, who was named the Defensive Player of the Year in the Colonial Athletic Association last season; Lamont Butler from San Diego State, a tenacious on-ball defender; and Brandon Garrison from Oklahoma State, a former McDonald’s All-American known for his shot-blocking ability.
“When you look at the roster, it’s clear that defense is the priority,” said CBS Sports college basketball analyst Jon Rothstein. “Pope has assembled a group of players who are going to make life miserable for opposing offenses.”[2]
The emphasis on defense represents a significant shift for a Kentucky program that has traditionally relied on high-powered offenses and one-and-done talents to carry them to success. Under Calipari, the Wildcats were often among the nation’s leaders in scoring, with players like Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Devin Booker leading the way.
But Pope, who spent the last five seasons as the head coach at BYU, has a different vision for the Wildcats. He believes that building a team around defense and toughness will not only lead to wins, but also better prepare his players for the rigors of the NBA.
“In the NBA, you have to be able to defend at a high level,” Pope said. “That’s what we’re going to instill in these guys – the mindset and the skills to be elite defenders.”[4]
The new-look Wildcats will be led by Koby Brea, a sharpshooter from Dayton who led the nation in 3-point shooting percentage last season. Brea’s ability to space the floor and knock down perimeter shots will be a valuable asset, but Pope is quick to point out that his role will extend far beyond just scoring.
“Koby is a great shooter, but he’s also a tenacious defender,” Pope said. “That’s the kind of player we want on this team – someone who can impact the game on both ends of the floor.”[2]
Joining Brea in the backcourt will be Lamont Butler, a transfer from San Diego State who is widely regarded as one of the best on-ball defenders in the country. Butler’s ability to lock down opposing guards will be crucial in Pope’s defensive scheme, which is expected to feature a lot of pressure and trapping.
Up front, the Wildcats will rely on the duo of Amari Williams and Brandon Garrison to anchor the defense. Williams, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in the CAA, is a versatile big man who can guard multiple positions, while Garrison, a former McDonald’s All-American, is a dominant shot-blocker who can protect the rim.
“When you have guys like Amari and Brandon, it changes the dynamic of your team,” Pope said. “They’re going to make it incredibly difficult for opposing teams to score in the paint.”[4]
While the focus on defense may be a departure from the Calipari era, Pope is confident that it will pay dividends in the long run. He believes that by instilling a defensive mindset in his players, he can not only win games at the college level, but also better prepare them for the next stage of their careers.
“In the NBA, defense is what separates the good players from the great ones,” Pope said. “That’s the mindset we’re trying to cultivate here – the idea that defense is just as important as offense, if not more so.”[1]
And if the early returns are any indication, Pope’s approach is resonating with his players. In a recent scrimmage, the Wildcats held their opponent to just 52 points, a far cry from the high-scoring affairs that have become the norm in Lexington.
“Coach Pope has really instilled a defensive mentality in us,” said Otega Oweh, a transfer from Oklahoma. “We take pride in our ability to shut down opposing teams, and that’s going to be the foundation of our success this season.”[2]
Of course, the true test will come when the Wildcats take the court for the first time under Pope’s leadership. But with a roster filled with experienced, defensive-minded players, there is a growing sense of optimism in Lexington that this team could surprise a lot of people.
“Kentucky basketball has always been about winning championships and sending players to the NBA,” Pope said. “But this year, we’re going to do it a little differently. We’re going to win with defense, and we’re going to show the world that there’s more than one way to be successful in this program.