Mark Pope’s Kentucky Wildcats don’t play any more defense than John Calipari’s final team that couldn’t guard a Division II transfer last March.

Yes, Mark Pope is the man for the job at Kentucky. He’s the shot in the arm this program needed as it turned the page on John Calipari’s run in Lexington. It’s the right voice who pushes the right buttons and has overwhelmingly exceeded early expectations with a roster he put together on short notice and no recruiting base.

For the Wildcats to end the 2024-25 season on a positive note, at least four areas of concern must be addressed.