Five big questions for Mark Pope and the Kentucky basketball team this offseason.

As the 2024-2025 basketball season wraps up for the University of Kentucky, there is no doubt that the program is poised for an exciting offseason. The Wildcats, a historically dominant force in college basketball, are coming off a season that showed promise but ultimately fell short of their lofty expectations. With a new season on the horizon, head coach Mark Pope and his team have several crucial decisions to make that will shape the program’s future. For Kentucky, the offseason represents a period of reflection, adjustment, and preparation for what lies ahead.

As Kentucky looks to retool for the 2025 season, several pressing questions loom over both the team’s roster and coaching decisions. Whether it’s evaluating the current roster, making decisions in recruiting, or addressing long-term strategies, the Wildcats have plenty to consider. Here are five big questions that Mark Pope and the Kentucky basketball team must address this offseason as they aim to return to the top of college basketball.

1. How Will Kentucky Manage its Roster Transitions Amid the Transfer Portal?

The transfer portal has reshaped the landscape of college basketball over the past several years, and Kentucky is no exception. After the 2024 season, Kentucky is expected to see some changes in its roster as players enter the portal or decide to explore other opportunities. For a program like Kentucky, which prides itself on recruiting top-tier talent, the question becomes: how will Coach Pope manage this influx of new players, and how can he ensure that roster transitions lead to continued success?

The Wildcats are no strangers to turnover, with high-profile players often moving to the NBA after just one or two years in Lexington. However, the transfer portal has introduced a new dynamic in college basketball, allowing programs to bring in experienced players to supplement their roster. Kentucky has historically relied on top recruiting classes to build its teams, but this offseason, the Wildcats must carefully evaluate how to balance fresh recruits with experienced transfers who can help fill specific gaps.

Coach Pope will have to be strategic in identifying players from the portal who fit his system and culture. While Kentucky may still rely heavily on high school recruiting, adding a few seasoned players could provide instant leadership, depth, and experience. Pope will also need to evaluate how well the new players integrate with the existing roster, ensuring that chemistry remains strong.

The Wildcats will have to ask themselves whether the team needs to focus on bringing in transfers at specific positions, such as in the backcourt or frontcourt, or if they should focus on bringing in versatile players who can contribute across multiple areas. Furthermore, the coaching staff will need to monitor the transfer portal throughout the offseason to see if any immediate impact players become available who can fill crucial roles.

2. Will Kentucky Retain its Core of Players, and Who Will Step Up as Leaders?

While Kentucky is likely to lose some key players to graduation or the NBA, several underclassmen may be in the mix to return for another season. The biggest question here is whether players like [Player A], [Player B], and others will stay or enter the NBA Draft, and if they decide to stay, how will they evolve as leaders for the team moving forward?

In particular, Kentucky will need to find out who can step up as the team’s focal point, especially in the absence of any marquee senior players. Players who may have been complementary pieces during the 2024 season need to assume bigger roles and provide both scoring and leadership. After a disappointing end to the season, this is the perfect time for Kentucky to identify who on the roster is capable of becoming the leader(s) that can rally the team and bring them back to national relevance.

One player to watch is [Player C], a rising star who showed flashes of brilliance but may not have fully realized his potential during the season. If he returns for his sophomore or junior year, can he take the next step as the team’s go-to scorer? Will he embrace the leadership role on and off the court? These are questions that Coach Pope will need to address, particularly as Kentucky looks to build continuity and ensure that the players who return are ready to assume bigger responsibilities.

A key part of the offseason will be developing these emerging leaders and ensuring they understand their role within the team. Pope has consistently built programs around strong team chemistry and leadership, and finding the right balance between emerging talent and experienced players will be a priority.

3. How Will Mark Pope Adjust Kentucky’s Offensive and Defensive Schemes?

One of the critical questions for Mark Pope this offseason will be whether his system needs adjustments or tweaks to improve upon Kentucky’s performance, especially in big games. Although Pope has brought success to Kentucky, including impressive recruiting classes, the Wildcats have struggled at times to execute both offensively and defensively, particularly in key moments.

On offense, Kentucky has often been known for its up-tempo style, focused on pushing the ball and generating quick offense. However, in critical games during the 2024 season, the team sometimes struggled with execution in half-court sets. The Wildcats must become more disciplined in their offensive execution, with an emphasis on better spacing, ball movement, and decision-making. Pope may need to incorporate more structured offensive sets that put players in positions to succeed, especially when the team is facing tough defenses.

Defensively, Kentucky has historically prided itself on being tough and physical, but there were moments in 2024 when the Wildcats allowed opposing teams to dictate the game. Whether it was a lack of communication, defensive rotations breaking down, or players not contesting shots aggressively enough, Kentucky’s defense fell short of its usual standards at times. Moving forward, Pope will need to ensure that the team’s defense becomes a more consistent and dominant force, which may mean making adjustments to Kentucky’s defensive schemes and rotations.

Adjusting both the offense and defense to better fit the team’s strengths will be crucial for Kentucky’s success. Pope will have to find ways to get his players more comfortable and efficient on both ends of the floor, even as he deals with personnel changes due to the transfer portal, graduation, and potential NBA departures.

4. Who Will Take Over the Point Guard Role for Kentucky?

One of the most pressing questions for Kentucky is the development of a true leader at the point guard position. The Wildcats have historically relied on dynamic, playmaking point guards who can control the tempo, facilitate the offense, and make clutch plays. As the 2025 season nears, Kentucky needs to find a player who can step into that role and command the team.

During the 2024 season, Kentucky struggled at times with point guard play, as the position was sometimes marked by inconsistency. Whether it was poor shot selection, turnover problems, or a lack of floor leadership, Kentucky couldn’t always rely on its point guards to run the offense efficiently. As the Wildcats move into the offseason, finding a player who can step up at the point guard position is crucial for the team’s success.

Is there a player currently on the roster, such as [Player D], who is capable of making the leap and becoming the floor general that Kentucky needs? Alternatively, does Coach Pope look to the transfer portal for an experienced point guard who can come in and make an immediate impact? If the Wildcats can identify and develop the right point guard, it would help stabilize the offense and give the team a better chance to execute its game plan.

5. How Will Mark Pope Tackle Recruiting to Fill Roster Gaps?

Even as the team looks to build on the 2024 season and make adjustments to their current roster, recruiting remains one of the most important aspects of Kentucky’s offseason strategy. Coach Pope’s ability to bring in top-tier talent, particularly at positions of need, will ultimately shape the Wildcats’ chances for success in the upcoming season.

In particular, Kentucky will need to target specific areas on the roster that need bolstering. Whether it’s securing depth in the frontcourt, improving the shooting guard position, or adding more playmakers in the backcourt, Pope will need to carefully assess the recruits and determine who will fit best within his system. Moreover, Kentucky will need to focus on attracting high-caliber players who can contribute immediately, especially with some senior players potentially leaving the team.

Recruiting isn’t just about talent—it’s also about finding players who fit the program’s culture and will complement the team’s needs. Pope has shown a keen eye for identifying players who thrive in his system, and he will need to do the same this offseason to ensure that Kentucky is prepared for the 2025 season.