Mark Pope opens up on starting from scratch at Kentucky, open roster spots, one-and-done talent, John Calipari

“This is basketball heaven. It’s almost unthinkable that you get an opportunity to come here to the University of Kentucky and take a swing at it. It’s exhausting, draining, exhilarating and overwhelming. The list is endless. It’s also like family, home and love. We did the introductory press conference at Rupp Arena, and 22,000 people showed up. This is this state’s team. It’s everything. The standard is impossible. You have to win a championship every year, and nothing else is acceptable. All of that makes it a beautiful job.”

“This is year one of a project. But this group that we’ve assembled has way more experience than the team that we had last year at BYU. These guys are proven quantities. They’ve been into the NCAA Tournament multiple times and hit game-winning shots to get into the national championship game. Veteran, veteran guys who have played for a long time at the highest level. It was terrifying, but it actually turned out to be a real blessing that we got to start from scratch here. We got to hand-pick guys that fit perfectly into the way that we play. We want to expand the genre of game that we played last year. I feel great about our roster right now. We have a couple of really, really important pieces that we still have to fit in. On paper, I love it.”

“Our first three signings were three of the best defensive players in the country. Those three guys are unbelievable veteran players who have proven it at the highest level. They’re guys that will have unbelievable expansion to their games over the next several months. I have two of the top 10 backcourt defenders in the entire country. I have a top-five rim protector in the entire country. We can terrorize people on the defensive end. Koby Brea is a perfect fit for us. Andrew Carr feels exactly the same. We think of him as Lauri Markkanen. He is a really, really skilled three-level scorer. He’s going to be really special for us.

“We got a little piss and vinegar, veteran experience with Kerr Kriisa. I’ve been recruiting him for six years. I was in Lithuania recruiting him before he ever came to college. Brandon Garrison is an elite young talent on the frontlines as you could possibly be. Collin Chandler is a superstar. He is just a superstar in the making. Trent Noah and Travis Perry are elite-level basketball players who carry the heart of Kentucky. I love the way that this team can fit together.”

“He is a unique player. He’s 6-foot-6 with shocking explosiveness and a real burst. He’s got a really, really pretty stroke. When the ball is released from his hands, it’s just really soft at the rim. He flies around and guards. He’s got an incredible heart. He is so unselfish. You put all that together, and I don’t know who to compare that to, but I know it’s the DNA of something incredibly, incredibly special.”

“We’re at ten scholarships right now. I have two really, really important pieces that I have to add. The 13th scholarship is a floating piece. It could be a place for a young player. It could be a place for a senior player who is going to take a redshirt year. It could be a place for a project. It could be a place for a high-risk guy. We’re really dialed in on filling these last two spots. It is a priority right now.”

“We both desire it. Sometimes scheduling can be really difficult. Both of us are attempting to navigate it. My true want is for Coach Pietro to enter Rupp Arena once more. Is there a fan base that cherishes a coach more than Coach Pitino’s supporters do? They are ever so appreciative of what he accomplished here, year after year. In the eyes of his fans, he has become so iconic. Though I’m sure he is aware of it, I would really like to see him return to his building.I can’t wait to return to this building and defeat him.I’m trying to beat coach, and I’m dying, dying, dying. It is certain to occur. We have to sort out every last detail.”