WATCH: Kentucky basketball’s Mark Pope and team spice things up at practice during offseason

With the rosters now set, Mark Pope has the challenge to forge a winning culture in Kentucky. The first-year coach aggressively recruited from the transfer portal after most players left the program in light of John Calipari’s decision to join Arkansas. Now, Pope needs to spark a camaraderie among the roster.

For the same, the Kentucky men’s basketball team detoured from the hardwood and lined up at the gridiron for a fun bonding session. With Pope at the helm, the crew began with conditioning, only to mount touchdown passes, participate in drills, run friendly games and indulge in a lot of celebration.

Here's a little behind-the-scenes video from the Wildcats' visit to the football field:

The Wildcats have been bonding over ping-pong and swimming as they stay at the Wildcat Coal Lodge. The squad has also gone bowling and golfing recently, getting comfortable and learning about each other in the process.

While Mark Pope’s efforts to bring the roster together are commendable, Kentucky is filled with veteran-level players. Given their experience, they know what to expect from a new program and are open to crafting a bond as soon as the opportunity strikes. The team is in their fifth week since their first summer practice last month.

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What could Mark Pope's offense look like in Kentucky?

After Pope went all in on the portal, it was expected that Kentucky would play a 3-point-heavy game in the coming season. After all, Pope has a reputation for that. Moreover, the current Wildcats are capable of handling the responsibility.

His BYU Cougars was second in the nation for 3-point attempts last season, with over 30 shots per game. A five-out offense was a staple in their playbook where every player was positioned at the 3-point line to open the floor and potential lanes.

Mark Pope’s Kentucky could be a decisive unit that prefers situational decision-making rather than set actions due to Pope’s offensive philosophy. Moreover, as the game gets faster, expect Kentucky to master early shots, be it from transition or based on quickly getting the ball into half-court to disrupt defenses.