Mark Pope’s call-in show: Trent Noah’s future, roster scoop, and more
Mark Pope’s call-in show: Trent Noah’s future, roster scoop, and more
The Brotherhood of Kentucky Basketball
Following Kentucky’s Sweet 16 loss, Pope witnessed something he had never seen before with one of his teams. Instead of retreating to their own spaces, every player on the roster gathered in one hotel room, staying together until 6 AM.
That sense of unity bodes well for Kentucky’s future, especially with players like Trent Noah developing within the program. Pope mentioned that he had a lengthy conversation with Noah just the day before and was thrilled with his defensive strides. However, he also noted that Noah’s next step is adding 15-20 pounds of muscle over the next couple of years to hold up against the SEC’s physical play.
Big Z, Big Dreams, and Big-Time Non-Conference Matchups
Of course, no call-in show would be complete without roster speculation. When a caller asked about Zvonimir Ivišić’s potential return, Pope laughed and responded, “I’d love to give a breakdown on everything we do, but I’m gonna get fired if I do that.”
While Pope remained tight-lipped on roster specifics, he was open about his vision for Kentucky’s future non-conference schedule. He expressed his desire for the Wildcats to participate in marquee events like the Maui Invitational, but due to existing commitments with Rupp Arena, such matchups won’t happen next season.
Pope’s Final Message: “There’s Nowhere Else We’d Rather Be”
As he wrapped up the show, Pope delivered a heartfelt closing statement about his love for Kentucky.
There is nowhere in the world that my family would rather be.”
With an offseason full of roster decisions, player development, and preparation for year two, Mark Pope is all-in on building a championship-caliber team in Lexington. And if his first year taught him anything, it’s that the Big Blue Nation is behind him every step of the way.
Kentucky set to host its first on-campus visitor since the transfer portal opened
Transfer portal season has progressed to a new stage for the Kentucky men’s basketball program. Potential additions for Mark Pope’s 2025-26 roster are starting to show up on campus.
