In a college basketball world increasingly defined by transfer portal moves, NBA Draft decisions, and high-stakes recruiting battles, few programs generate as much intrigue and speculation as the Kentucky Wildcats. Now, with the arrival of new head coach Mark Pope and a dramatically revamped roster, one well-known college basketball analyst has made a daring — some might say shocking — prediction about Kentucky’s preseason ranking.
The Bold Statement
College basketball specialist and longtime analyst Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68 set off a wave of debate this week when he projected Kentucky outside the preseason AP Top 25 for the 2025–26 season. In an era where most blueblood programs benefit from name recognition in preseason polls, especially after a strong transfer portal haul, Goodman’s assertion is as bold as it is controversial.
Goodman, who cited “uncertainty at point guard,” “lack of proven high-major size,” and the “uncharted waters” of Mark Pope’s first year in the pressure cooker of Lexington, did not even slot Kentucky in his “next five out.” Instead, he argued that Pope and the Cats have too many question marks to deserve a spot among the nation’s elite — yet.
“I love what Pope has done building this roster quickly, but there are too many unknowns,” Goodman said during a podcast segment. “There’s not one sure-fire first-round pick on this roster, and they lack the kind of battle-tested players you typically see on Final Four contenders. It’s not a knock — it’s just a wait-and-see.”
This stance sharply contrasts with other national analysts, many of whom view Kentucky as a borderline Top 10 team due to Pope’s whirlwind offseason recruiting and portal activity. But Goodman’s position has lit up message boards and social media — raising the question: is he onto something, or is this simply a provocative take?
Pope’s Portal Power: A Roster Reimagined
Since taking over from John Calipari in April, Mark Pope has moved with urgency and precision. A former Wildcat himself who led BYU to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, Pope has embraced modern roster construction, leaning heavily into the transfer portal to retool a team that saw nearly all of its key players depart for the NBA or other schools.
In the span of just six weeks, Pope has added:
- Otega Oweh, a dynamic two-way guard from Oklahoma known for his defense and athleticism.
- Brandon Garrison, a 6-foot-11 big from Oklahoma State with USA Basketball pedigree and rim-protecting upside.
- Jaxson Robinson, a potential NBA wing who followed Pope from BYU, pending NBA Draft withdrawal.
- Amari Williams, a dominant defensive presence and three-time CAA Defensive Player of the Year from Drexel.
- Koby Brea, one of the most accurate three-point shooters in college basketball last season at Dayton.
- Andrew Carr, a stretch forward and seasoned vet from Wake Forest.
- Landen Brenchley, a glue guy and veteran from Utah Valley who fits the BYU system mold.
Pope has also added high school recruits such as Collin Chandler and Travis Perry, the latter being Kentucky’s all-time leading high school scorer.
While this group lacks a clear one-and-done superstar, it oozes experience — a trait Kentucky fans begged for during the later Calipari years. The average age of Kentucky’s likely starting five in November could be close to 22 years old, a stark contrast to the 18-year-old-heavy teams that have faltered in March.
Why Goodman Might Be Right
Let’s give Goodman his due. His reasoning, while bold, isn’t without merit. Kentucky is undergoing a massive identity shift, both culturally and structurally. The post-Calipari era is uncharted territory. This isn’t the usual Kentucky offseason hype machine — there’s a new sheriff in town, and that sheriff has never coached at a program with expectations remotely close to UK’s.
Here are the key concerns Goodman highlighted:
- Unproven High-Major Cohesion: While Pope has assembled an experienced group, much of that experience comes from mid-majors or schools that didn’t regularly compete against elite-level talent. Will Amari Williams’ defense translate against SEC competition? Can Jaxson Robinson become a go-to scorer rather than a complementary piece?
- Point Guard Questions: Perhaps the most glaring hole is true point guard play. With Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham off to the NBA, and DJ Wagner transferring to Arkansas, the Wildcats don’t have a natural floor general. Pope may lean on combo guards like Chandler or Oweh, but neither is a traditional playmaker. Kentucky might not have the elite ball-handler required to survive in March — or even December.
- Lack of Continuity: Every player on Kentucky’s projected rotation is new to the program. Even in the transfer era, that’s rare. Teams like UConn, Houston, and Purdue had cores that played together for multiple seasons. Chemistry takes time, and preseason rankings typically reward continuity and returning production.
- Coaching Adjustment: Mark Pope has never coached a game in the SEC, let alone at Rupp Arena with 20,000 demanding fans watching every possession. The transition from BYU to Kentucky is a giant leap, and history shows that even great coaches often struggle early when taking over programs with sky-high expectations.
In short, Goodman believes that too many puzzle pieces must fit perfectly for Kentucky to be ranked before the games begin. And that’s a reasonable position, even if it’s unpopular in Big Blue Nation.
Why the Cats Could Crack the Top 10 Anyway
However, for every skeptic, there’s an optimist. Other analysts, such as CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander and ESPN’s Jeff Borzello, have Kentucky in their Top 15.
Here’s the argument for a higher preseason ranking:
- Depth and Shooting: Pope’s roster may lack a clear-cut star, but it’s deep, versatile, and loaded with shooters. Koby Brea, Jaxson Robinson, and Collin Chandler are all elite perimeter threats. Kentucky could lead the SEC in three-point percentage — a dramatic shift from Calipari’s often middling shooting teams.
- Defensive Potential: With long athletes like Oweh, Williams, and Garrison, Kentucky could become a top-tier defensive squad. Pope’s BYU teams were known for mixing defensive schemes and communicating well on that end.
- Experience Wins: In the transfer era, old teams win. Just ask San Diego State, UConn, or FAU in recent years. Pope’s team isn’t built on potential — it’s built on players who’ve logged thousands of college minutes.
- Fan and Media Momentum: Kentucky is still Kentucky. The brand matters. A solid showing in exhibition games or early non-conference matchups (potentially against Michigan State or Indiana) could vault the Wildcats into the Top 10 quickly — even if they start unranked.
What the Players Are Saying
While analysts debate Kentucky’s place in the rankings, the players themselves are staying focused. In recent interviews, several of Pope’s newcomers have downplayed preseason noise and emphasized chemistry.
“We don’t care where people rank us right now,” said Andrew Carr. “We’re here to build something new. We’ll let our play do the talking.”
Jaxson Robinson, who could return if he pulls out of the NBA Draft by the June deadline, offered a similar sentiment: “I’ve been on teams that nobody picked to win — and we won. Coach Pope has a plan. If people doubt us, that’s fuel.”
A Fanbase Divided — But Eager
As expected, Kentucky fans are split. Some agree with Goodman, suggesting it’s better to fly under the radar with a new coach and roster. Others believe the Wildcats deserve more respect after such a strong transfer portal run.
“What Goodman said is nonsense,” one user wrote on a Kentucky message board. “We’re deeper than half the Top 10 teams and have a modern coach who actually understands spacing.”
Another user replied more cautiously: “Let’s just see what happens in November. It’s a new day. I’m cautiously optimistic — but not expecting miracles.”
Regardless of where they start, few programs will be watched more closely than Kentucky in 2025–26. From Pope’s sideline demeanor to the first loss that triggers panic, this team will be scrutinized, praised, and criticized — sometimes all in the same week.
Preseason rankings are ultimately speculative. They reward past success, returning talent, and perceived upside. By those measures, Kentucky may be a fringe Top 25 team — or a dark-horse Final Four contender.
Goodman’s decision to exclude the Wildcats from his preseason poll might age poorly — especially if Pope’s new-look squad comes out firing in November. Or it may prove to be a prescient warning that even storied programs need time to adjust to a new era.
Either way, one thing is certain: Kentucky basketball is back in the national conversation. And with a fresh voice at the helm, the Wildcats are once again one of college basketball’s most fascinating stories — ranked or not.
