Kentucky HC Mark Pope believes Wildcats can be "really special" after team finds its competitive spirit 

Mark Pope is all set to make his debut as the Kentucky Wildcats' coach in October. As a member of the Wildcats' NCAA championship-winning team in 1996, there are heavy expectations on Pope to deliver another title.

Following John Calipari's exit, Mark Pope had to rebuild his roster, and he did so mostly through transfer portal additions and three freshman recruits. There are some lingering questions about the capabilities of a team that was put together just over the summer and has no experience in sharing the court.

Mark Pope, however, believes that his team can be special and listed the reasons for it in an interview with Courier Journal on Monday.

"All the things we see on the court are a result of the foundation that they're standing on," Pope said. "And so the things we're looking for on our team is, we are looking for our competitive spirit. If that's an unquenchable competition spirit, then we're gonna be really special. A competitive spirit that just knows no softening."

Pope has also called for the team to focus more on each other and the state of Kentucky as opposed to getting caught up in their own interests.

Mark Pope expresses excitement over preseason events

To mark the official start to the 2024-25 basketball season, Pope and women's Wildcats coach, Kenny Brooks, are set to host their first preseason event, Big Blue Madness, on Oct. 11 at Rupp Arena. Pope hyped the event during his appearance on Kentucky Sports Radio and said:

“We have some things in the works that have never been seen in college basketball before — I kid you not. It’s going to be awesome. Big Blue Madness is always awesome. We’re trying to go next level.”

The event will include formal introductions of Pope and Brooks, along with their first Kentucky men’s and women’s basketball teams. Other things planned for the day include contests, practice drills, videos, and more. This will be the 19th time the Rupp Arena is hosting the Big Blue Madness.

Pope and his Wildcats will play the first game of the season against Wright State on Nov. 4.

What are your predictions for Mark Pope's first season with the Wildcats? Let us know in the comments section below.