Back on December 12, after Kentucky had just slugged its way to a 72-60 win over Indiana in a game that looked more like a defensive brawl than a showcase of offensive finesse, head coach Mark Pope made a bold claim.
“I do think we have a chance to be an elite offensive team,” Pope said. “... We’re gonna get great, man.”
At the time, that statement felt more like blind optimism than a realistic projection. Kentucky had just shot 37.9% from the field and a rough 23.8% from deep.
Through that point in the 2025-26 season, the Wildcats were 1-4 against high-level competition and were shooting just 38.1% overall, with the same 23.8% mark from three. Simply put, the offense was stuck in the mud.
Fast forward to February, and that same Kentucky team just dropped 94 points on Oklahoma, hitting 46.2% from beyond the arc in a convincing 94-78 win at Rupp Arena in front of 19,394 fans. Suddenly, Pope’s December proclamation doesn’t sound so far-fetched.
In back-to-back SEC wins-first on the road at Arkansas, then at home against the Sooners-Kentucky has looked like a completely different team. The Wildcats have shot a combined 51.7% from the field, 46.2% from three, and averaged a blistering 89.5 points per game.
The offense that once looked disjointed and unsure of itself is now flowing with confidence and rhythm. The ball is moving, shots are falling, and roles are starting to crystallize.
Against Oklahoma, it was a pair of former Oklahoma products who did the heavy lifting. Otega Oweh, who transferred from the Sooners, led the way with 24 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including 3-of-4 from deep. Brandon Garrison, an Oklahoma City native, came off the bench and delivered a monster double-double with 20 points and 11 boards.
Sophomore guard Collin Chandler continued his emergence, adding 18 points and hitting four of his eight three-point attempts. That’s now six of the last seven games in which Chandler has knocked down multiple threes-a sign of growing confidence and consistency in his expanded role.
“Really proud of BG stepping up and being great,” Pope said postgame, before heading to the airport to welcome back his daughter Avery from an 18-month mission trip in El Salvador. “Otega continues to play at an elite level. We got contributions from everybody.”
And that’s been the key lately-contributions from up and down the roster. For Pope’s system to truly work, the offense has to hum.
And historically, it’s been a pretty clear line: in the 42 games Pope has coached Kentucky against high-level opponents (Power 5 teams plus Gonzaga), the Wildcats are 0-10 when they score fewer than 72 points. That’s not a small sample-it’s a trend.
So when Kentucky was held to 66 against Michigan State, 64 against North Carolina, and just 59 against Gonzaga earlier this season, the red flags were flying. Those early-season struggles made it hard to imagine this group ever becoming “elite” on offense.
But the last few weeks have changed the narrative. Kentucky has now scored over 80 points in five of its last eight games. The offense isn’t just surviving-it’s thriving.
What’s behind the turnaround?
“I think more things are clicking for us offensively. I think it’s just trial and error,” Chandler said.
“We’re finding things that are working, and I think we’re doing that really well. We’re finding each other in spots that we can score.”
Assistant coach Jason Hart, who filled in for Pope at the postgame press conference, pointed to a simpler explanation.
“We just started making shots now,” Hart said. “Early on (in) the season, we (weren’t).”
Sometimes it really is that straightforward. Make-or-miss league, as they say.
But there’s more to it than just shot-making. Oweh, who missed significant preseason time with a foot injury, is finally healthy-and it shows.
He’s scored 20 or more in eight of Kentucky’s 10 SEC games. He’s not just a scorer, either.
He’s attacking off the dribble, making smart reads, and forcing defenses into tough decisions.
“Otega is just an elite player,” Oklahoma head coach Porter Moser said. “He can knock down the shot. He puts you in a really difficult decision-making mode off ball screens, because he can turn the corner on you, and now he’s making really good decisions passing out of it.”
Injuries have certainly tested Kentucky’s depth. The Wildcats have been without their expected starting point guard (Jaland Lowe), their top center (Jayden Quaintance), and a key floor-spacing wing (Kam Williams). But in a twist of fate, those absences have helped Pope tighten his rotation and define roles more clearly.
That’s opened the door for players like Denzel Aberdeen to step up. The Florida transfer, now thrust into the role of lead guard, has been steady and reliable. Over the last two games, he’s posted eight assists to just one turnover.
“I think Denzel has been brilliant,” Chandler said.
And Chandler himself? He’s become Kentucky’s go-to shooter, a role he’s embraced. Hart praised his development, noting that it’s rare to see a player stick around and grow within a system in today’s transfer-heavy landscape.
“It doesn’t happen often, because guys often transfer, but he’s a prime example of believing in coach Pope’s system,” Hart said. “His second year, he is real comfortable. He’s grown.”
That growth is showing across the board. This team is evolving, learning, and gaining confidence with every game. The road ahead won’t be easy-Kentucky’s schedule down the stretch is no cakewalk-but the signs of real offensive progress are hard to ignore.
Mark Pope’s December promise may have sounded like wishful thinking at the time. But now? It’s starting to look like a prophecy coming to life.