Mark Pope Provides Insight on Kentucky’s Practice Focus: Aiming to “Punish” Teams Who Pressure Them
Mark Pope, the head coach of Kentucky’s men’s basketball team, has been working tirelessly to address some significant challenges his offense has faced recently, especially when dealing with high-pressure defenses. This defensive strategy, which forces teams to adjust quickly and play at a slower pace, has often thrown Kentucky off track. Opponents are using high-pressure defense to limit the Wildcats’ perimeter shooting opportunities, instead encouraging them to drive to the basket. While this approach has disrupted Kentucky’s offensive flow at times, it has also highlighted areas that need improvement for the Wildcats to truly contend for a championship.
One of the most notable issues Pope’s team has encountered is shooting from beyond the three-point line. In several recent key games, Kentucky’s long-range shooting has been subpar. In their loss to Duke, the Wildcats only managed to shoot 32% from three, and in their thrilling overtime victory over Gonzaga, Kentucky hit just 28%, with only seven successful three-pointers throughout the game. This trend of underwhelming perimeter shooting is reminiscent of struggles Pope’s previous BYU teams faced, particularly in last year’s NCAA Tournament against Duquesne, where they shot only 39% overall. While some players have had standout individual performances, the team’s collective shooting from beyond the arc hasn’t been as consistent as Pope’s system typically requires.
One player who has notably been affected by this trend is Koby Brea. Once considered one of the team’s more reliable shooters, Brea got off to a hot start but has seen his shooting percentages dip in recent games. Over the past four games, he’s only managed to shoot 34% from three, though his season average still sits at an impressive 61%. This drop-off reflects the overall challenge Kentucky has faced against intense defensive pressure, with Brea being just one example of how such defenses can throw off the rhythm of the offense.
However, Kentucky hasn’t been content to let their three-point struggles dictate the flow of their game. In response to the defensive pressure, Pope has adjusted his strategy to focus more on attacking the basket and capitalizing on inside scoring. During their victory over Gonzaga, the Wildcats scored an impressive 48 points in the paint, underscoring Pope’s decision to adjust the offensive game plan and emphasize movement, cutting, and passing to break down extended defenses.
After the game, Pope expressed satisfaction with how his players adapted to the pressure. He highlighted how their cutting game created open lanes for easier opportunities near the rim. He remarked, “It was massively encouraging” to see his team respond by exploiting the opportunities created by aggressive defenses, demonstrating their ability to “punish” teams for pushing them out and forcing difficult shots. This ability to adjust on the fly not only shows Kentucky’s flexibility but also lays the groundwork for future success, particularly when facing top-tier defenses.
In his postgame comments, Pope stressed the importance of using these experiences as learning tools, adding, “We’ll have a great film session” to analyze the ways they used cutting to alleviate defensive pressure. The Wildcats’ practice sessions are now focusing heavily on refining these techniques, with Pope determined to create more productive offensive sets, even when the three-pointer isn’t falling.
While Kentucky’s shooting remains a work in progress, Pope’s emphasis on scoring in the paint and improving ball movement provides hope that his team will remain competitive, even when faced with defensive challenges. His ability to adapt, paired with the team’s resilience and growing understanding of how to counter high-pressure defenses, suggests that Kentucky will continue to improve and evolve as the season progresses.
