Selection Sunday is here. In just a few hours, we’ll know exactly where Kentucky is headed. The Wildcats come into the madness fresh off an up-and-down SEC Tournament, where they pulled off a dramatic win over Oklahoma but then got completely outplayed by Alabama in the quarterfinals. But while all the chatter is about Kentucky’s road in the tournament, head coach Mark Pope seems to be thinking ahead. Like, WAY ahead. 

Now, before we get too far ahead, let’s talk about what Kentucky’s dealing with right now. This team is struggling with an unhealthy roster. Lamont Butler, Kerr Kriisa, and Jaxson Robinson are all on the injury list, and it showed in that Alabama game. 

Butler’s return is expected soon (a much-needed boost), but Kriisa and Robinson are done for the season. Brutal timing. And beyond this season? Kentucky is staring down a full-on roster overhaul. Butler, Robinson, Ansley Almonor, Koby Brea, Andrew Carr, and Amari Williams—all gone after this season. That’s a lot of talent walking out the door.

Turns out, the head coach isn’t wasting any time addressing the future. According to Matt Jones, a reporter at the SEC Tournament claimed that Pope already has a ‘stud’ from the transfer portal committed for the 2025-26 season. But, obviously, they wouldn’t spill the name.

So yes, Pope has a lot of work to do.

So, what do we know? Kentucky needs a veteran, defense-first point guard, especially with Butler (and other seniors) on his way out. Maybe that’s where Pope landed. Or maybe he went for a versatile wing to fill the scoring void. Either way, we know Pope isn’t waiting around to build his roster for next year. That’s a huge relief.

Before we get too caught up in next season, there’s still a big dance to focus on. The good news is Kentucky’s recent losses didn’t do much to shake their projected seed. Even before the SEC Tournament, the Wildcats were consistently projected as a No. 3 seed. BracketMatrix.com, which compiles over 100 bracket projections, has Kentucky’s average seed at 3.06. Their best projection is a No. 2 seed (very unlikely), and their worst is a No. 4 seed.

Either way, they’re heading into the tournament. And while this season is far from over, it’s hard not to get excited about what Pope is building for the future.

Mark Pope’s recruiting game is on

Alright…we know that Kentucky’s 2025 class isn’t fully wrapped up yet, but Pope’s already making some big moves. Remember, when John Calipari left for Arkansas, the Wildcats had to completely rebuild their roster. Pope hit the transfer portal hard to make it work and he nailed it. 

Kentucky’s been ranked inside the top 10 for most of the season, proving that Pope’s approach is working. And now, he’s making sure the next class is just as strong. So far, Kentucky has three top-40 commits: Malachi Moreno, Jasper Johnson, and Acaden Lewis. All four-star talents. 

But, here’s the gamble. While this trio is loaded with potential, they’re still untested at the college level. High school dominance doesn’t always translate to NCAA success, and Pope is betting big on these guys. If they pan out? Kentucky is looking at a stacked squad. But if they don’t? It could set the program back big time.

That’s probably why Pope is doubling down on the transfer portal. He needs experience, reliability, and proven talent. And that mystery ‘stud’ he’s already locked in is likely a safety net to ensure Kentucky stays competitive no matter what.

So, while we wait for the Madness to begin, Mark Pope clearly has something up his sleeve, and Kentucky fans are dying to know who this secret transfer is. Could it be a game-changing point guard? A dominant forward? We never know.