In a good way.
The Kentucky Wildcats are starting to gear up for the 2025-26 season as Mark Pope and his staff put the final touches on the roster.
After a successful spring portal window for the Cats, Coach Pope has started to make some public appearances with the most recent coming with Jon Rothstein on Wednesday.
Rothstein and Pope have plenty of questions about this upcoming roster, but one answer really stands out from Coach Pope regarding Alabama Crimson Tide transfer forward Mouhamed Dioubate, especially since he compared his game to Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green.
“He punished us. I don’t like to say it, but, man, he punished us three straight games this season; it was not a happy time for us,” Pope said. “He shot the ball at a ridiculous clip on low volume. He’s a 46% three-point shooter on low volume, but where he was most dangerous, clearly, he’s an elite-level defender, one through five.
“Very much a Draymond Green feel defensively. This young man, his ball screen-derived offense on limited possessions, just less than 20 possessions, his ball screen-derived offense is in the top 2% in the country as the pick-and-roll ball handler. His decision-making and his ability there are terrifying.
“It’s joyful for me as a coach. Terrifying for the opponent.”
You love to see it.
Tweet of the Day
Denzel Aberdeen on his official visit to Kentucky last weekend. pic.twitter.com/sYJQ8FeoCf
— TheCatsPause247 (@TheCatsPause247) May 1, 2025
Looking sharp!
Headlines
Men’s Tennis Opens NCAA Tournament with First Round Tilt Against Old Dominion – UK Athletics
Cats and Monarchs to square off on Friday at 2 p.m. ET
UK Athletics SAAC Announces BBBS-Bluegrass as Community Partner of Choice – UK Athletics
The Community Partner of Choice program allows student-athletes to create deeper connections and prioritize events and opportunities with the chosen organization.
Plotts Hits Solo HR in 9-1 Defeat to No. 5 Texas in Series Opener – UK Athletics
Peyton Plotts hit her team-leading 15th home run of the season Thursday night, but it was a six-run third inning that ultimately was the difference.
SEC Office releases first draft of un-availability list for Diamond Dogs and Wildcats – Cats Pause
Mississippi State and Kentucky ought to have all their league season regulars available for this weekend series.
Mark Pope shares his philosophy when it comes to recruiting the transfer portal – Cats Pause
“We have some core values that are really important to us.”
Lexington SC loses to Louisville City in USL match | Lexington Herald Leader
Louisville City defeated Lexington Sporting Club 2-0 in their first USL Championship match, claiming victory in the Kentucky soccer rivalry.
Former Kentucky MBB player Larry Johnson dies at 70 – KSR
Larry Johnson, who made All-SEC Third Team in the 1976-77 season as a member of Kentucky MBB, has passed away at the age of 70.
NFL fines Falcons, DC Jeff Ulbrich over Shedeur Sanders prank call – ESPN
The NFL has fined the Falcons $250,000 and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich $100,000 in response to Ulbrich’s son’s prank call made to Shedeur Sanders during the NFL draft.
Tyrese Haliburton’s father staying away from Pacers games – ESPN
After conversations with the Pacers’ front office, Tyrese Haliburton’s father, John, will not attend the team’s home and road games for the foreseeable future, a Pacers spokesperson told ESPN.
Eight NFL teams will debut “Rivalries” jerseys in 2025 – NBC Sports
Jerseys will be worn by home teams in select division rivalries.
Bob Baffert’s Rodriguez scratched from 2025 Kentucky Derby | Lexington Herald-Leader
Wood Memorial winner Rodriguez, who is trained by Bob Baffert, has been scratched from the 2025 Kentucky Derby horse race in Louisville due to a foot injury.