For the first time in 16 years, Kentucky will open the season with someone other than John Calipari at the helm. Kentucky alumnus Mark Pope, a former BYU coach, took over the program in April after Calipari shockingly left his post to take the Arkansas job. The Wildcats open against Wright State on Monday in Lexington, Ky. Pope directly was referred to the program by Rick Pitino, who coached him as a member of the 1996 Kentucky team that won Pitino's first national title. Pope is bringing one of his best players from BYU with him: Jaxson Robinson. The senior shooting guard had a breakout season last year off the bench for the Cougars, averaging a career high 14.
No. 23 Kentucky begin post-John Calipari era vs. Wright St.
