Mark Pope isn’t sounding the alarm on Zoom Diallo after Kentucky’s exhibition slate.
Diallo’s offense has been uneven through three tune-up games, and the numbers show the bumps. Against Little Rock, he finished with five assists and three turnovers.
He then had a 3-to-3 assist-to-turnover ratio before bouncing back some against UCF with six assists and two turnovers. That stretch has sparked some fan frustration, with some even asking whether Mason Williams, who has been one of Kentucky’s best performers in the exhibitions, should be in the starting role instead.
Pope, though, sees a player still working through the adjustment to a different system.
"Zoom, like, all of our guys are learning a new way to play and it's actually inspiring to watch them learn and grow, and Zoom is trying to make his game as simple and forceful as he can. He's got a chance to be an elite-level floor general for us. He's seen a new challenge all three games and I'm telling you, he's gonna have big moments for us and make huge contributions."
The big issue for Diallo has been turnovers, but that’s also tied to the bigger transition he’s making. He’s adjusting from what he ran at Washington to Kentucky’s offense, which asks for a different pace, more ball movement and more shooting. As the point guard, he’ll be asked to facilitate in a way that looks different from what he did before.
The encouraging part is that the growth is already showing up in pieces, even if the results aren’t polished yet. This is the kind of thing that takes time, especially in October, and Pope is clearly betting that Diallo’s comfort and efficiency will keep improving as the regular season gets closer.
In Other News...
Kentuckys Roster Is Earning Serious SEC Respect Before Opening Night
The preseason chatter around Kentucky is already turning into something more concrete, with the SECs coaches giving the Wildcats a pair of early honors before the season even tips. Milan Momcilovic landed on the second team, while Malachi Moreno was named to the third team, a sign that Kentuckys roster is drawing real respect across the league instead of just buzz inside Lexington.
Momcilovic arrives from Iowa State with the kind of shooting pedigree that can change the shape of an offense, after leading the country in total 3-pointers made and 3-point percentage last season. Moreno, meanwhile, is back for his second year at Kentucky after making the All-SEC Freshman Team a year ago, giving the Wildcats a mix of proven perimeter firepower and a returning young piece that opposing coaches already know well. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky's SEC Title Chase Has One Threat Fans Can't Ignore
The SEC race has tightened into a familiar kind of November stress, with Kentucky and Georgia sitting atop the league standings with one conference loss apiece. For Wildcats fans, the math is simple enough to follow and hard enough to ignore: every remaining weekend carries weight, and the path to the league title is now shaped as much by what happens elsewhere as by what Kentucky does on the field.
Alabama is the complication Kentucky cannot dismiss, especially because the head-to-head tiebreaker already tilts in the Crimson Tides favor. That kind of edge can loom large in a crowded standings chase, even as Kentucky football continues to work at building its own momentum off the field, with modest gains in average home attendance and season ticket sales alongside ongoing stadium upgrades. It is a reminder that in Lexington, footballs progress still gets measured against the sport that usually sets the standard. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky Just Got A Big Reason To Worry About Tennessee's Offense
Kentucky is using its bye week to patch up an injury list that already includes several important pieces, and the Wildcats may need the extra time after another setback around the backfield. Starting running back CJ Baxter remains in uncertain shape after his injury, leaving Kentucky with some real questions to sort through before it gets back to game action.
Across the field, Tennessee got a scare when DeSean Bishop went down with a right ankle injury, but coach Josh Heupel said the running back is expected to be in good condition for the upcoming game. That matters for Kentucky because Bishop has become one of the Volunteers most important offensive threats, ranking second nationally in rushing yards and giving Tennessee a backfield weapon the Wildcats will have to account for if hes ready to go. [Read more 🡒]