Photo | Chet White UK Athletics

As Coach Mark Pope enters his second year leading Kentucky basketball, he’s not just hoping for growth, he’s expecting it.

From returning players to his coaching staff, Pope sees year two as a pivotal turning point, a time when all the foundational work laid during the chaos of the first season starts to pay off in a big way.

“For us, our guys make massive jumps from year one to two,” Pope said Tuesday. “Wherever I’ve coached, year two is so fun. Year one is an onslaught of learning, decision-making, you’re overwhelmed with learning. Understanding why and where and how, and building the skill set to actually do it.”

Pope’s track record supports his confidence. He believes the system he and his staff have implemented sets players up for exponential improvement once they’ve gone through that initial learning curve.

“We expect all of these returners to be much, much better than they were last year,” he said. “And that’s saying a lot, because they were really good last year.”

He pointed to sophomore guard Collin Chandler as a prime example of a player poised to break out.

“Chandler is a great example, he’s so hungry right now, working really hard,” Pope said. “You can just see it.”

But Pope didn’t stop with his players. He emphasized that the coaching staff, too, will take a leap forward.

“It’s not just the players,” he said. “Our staff is going to be a hundred times better than they were last year. We’ve had a chance to function together and learn each other.”

That chemistry, Pope believes, will translate into smoother decision making, more efficient preparation, and a better product on the court.

“I’m excited to see how much better we can be in year two—how much more efficient.”

With an experienced group returning and a coach confident in both his system and the people executing it, the Wildcats are shaping up to be a formidable force this season. For Pope, year two isn’t just a continuation, it’s a launchpad.