Mark Pope keeps leaning into the same basketball truth that has defined his coaching life: if the threes are falling, everything opens up. If they aren’t, the whole thing can crack.
That’s why his latest summer practice note is landing with such a jolt around Kentucky. In an interview with Jon Rothstein, Pope said, "Right now in the summer, we have six guys that are over 70% in all of their practice reps shooting the ball from the three-point line."
On its own, that sounds like exactly the kind of number Kentucky fans want to hear. The problem is that it sounds almost identical to what Pope said about last year’s team before the season ever got going. Reported by A Sea of Blue’s Chris Beasmore in September, Pope said, "But now, as of last week, we’ve got six guys above 70 percent from three, and a seventh hovering right below that.”
Same basic message. Same kind of confidence. Two different rosters.
And that’s where the nerves come in.
Last season’s Kentucky team finished with a composite 34.1% mark from three-point range, and the production never really matched the promise. Collin Chandler led the way at 41% before moving on.
Denzel Aberdeen was the only other player to get past 36%, and he barely cleared it. Kam Williams followed at 35.9%, while Jaland Lowe and Brandon Garrison both finished below 25%.
That’s the kind of shooting profile that can sink an offense built around perimeter pressure. And Pope’s offense has never been shy about asking for a heavy diet of jumpers. He even wants Milan Momcilovic to launch ten threes on his own.
The encouraging part for Kentucky is that this year’s roster at least looks more naturally equipped for that style. Momcilovic is coming off a junior season at Iowa State in which he led the nation by shooting 48.7% from deep.
Justin McBride arrives after hitting 40% from three last season at James Madison. Jerone Morton wasn’t far behind at 38.7%.
Williams, meanwhile, should be in a better position to benefit from more options around him and, ideally, better health.
There’s real reason to think this group can fit what Pope wants to do. The concern is that Kentucky heard a version of this exact story a year ago, and the results on the floor didn’t follow the optimism.
So the summer practice numbers are promising. They just need to mean something once the games start.
In Other News...
Kentuckys UCLA Recruiting Battle Just Took A Wild Public Turn
Nikola Kusturica has become one of the more intriguing names in the Kentucky-UCLA recruiting crossfire, and the picture around the 17-year-old prospect has shifted enough to get attention on both coasts. Once viewed by some as a possible Kentucky target, the projected lottery pick now appears to be trending toward UCLA, which adds another layer to a chase that already had plenty of buzz around it.
For Kentucky, the timing matters because Mark Pope still has a roster spot available and is continuing to look for more talent to finish out his group. Kusturicas rise has only made the watch list more interesting, especially after his standout play at the U17 World Cup, and the public back-and-forth around his recruitment has only underscored how closely fans are tracking every twist in the race. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky QB Sends Bold Message About DJ Millers Ceiling
Kenny Minchey has not taken long to notice the upside around him in Kentuckys passing game. The new quarterback, who arrived from Notre Dame, has been talking up sophomore receiver DJ Miller for his size, athleticism and confidence, the kind of traits that can make a young target stand out quickly in a new offense. Miller already gave the Wildcats a preview of what he can do as a freshman, finishing with 13 catches for 175 yards and two scores, including a breakout performance against Tennessee that hinted at a much larger role ahead.
For Kentucky, the most encouraging part may be how naturally Minchey and Miller seem to be developing together as the offense takes shape for the upcoming season. Millers production last fall only scratched the surface of his ceiling, and Mincheys belief in him adds another layer of intrigue to a unit still looking for reliable playmakers. If that connection keeps growing, it could become one of the most important storylines on Kentuckys side of the ball. [Read more 🡒]
Mark Pope May Have Kentucky On The Verge Of Another 2027 Splash
Mark Pope already has Kentucky off to a strong start in the 2027 class with five-star guard Ryan Hampton on board, and the early momentum around that group is starting to feel like more than a one-name story. The next wave of attention is drifting toward another elite prospect who has been productive with USA Basketballs U17 team and is already drawing the kind of national buzz that usually turns a recruiting board into a full-time obsession.
Kentucky has at least been in the conversation, with an unofficial visit already on the books, and the appeal is obvious if Pope can keep stacking high-end talent. The idea of pairing Hampton with another premier 2027 piece gives the Wildcats a chance to make real noise early in the cycle, but whether they can turn that interest into a second splash is still the part everyone is waiting to see play out. [Read more 🡒]