Mark Pope's Kentucky basketball team continues to be disrespected by the national media

Kentucky basketball is going to surprise some folks this season.

University of Kentucky’s new men’s basketball coach Mark Pope speaks about the future of Kentucky men’s basketball during his introductory press conference to thousands of fans in Rupp Arena on Sunday, April 14, 2024. / Clare Grant/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

Mark Pope and his first Kentucky basketball team are getting ready for the start of the 2024-25 basketball season, yet this team continues to be disrespected by the national media. Coach Pope has put together a roster via the transfer portal that should be able to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, thanks to the veteran leadership and shooting on this team.

Jon Rothstein has had his "Rothstein 45," which lists his top 45 teams in college basketball, out for a while now, and the Wildcats are way too low. Rothstein has the Wildcats ranked 31st, and it is safe to say there are not 30 teams better than the Wildcats in college basketball this season. Kentucky doesn't have the five-star high school talent they have had over the last decade, but this team has veteran players who will be prepared for the bright lights of March.

Rothstein is one of the few national media members to have the projected starting lineup for the Wildcats correct, as he has Lamont Butler, Koby Brea, Jaxson Robinson, Andrew Carr, and Amari Williams all listed as starters.

Coach Pope is one of the best coaches in college basketball when it comes to X's and O's so knowing this plus how good of a shooting team he has and adding in the fact that all of the starters are veterans makes this a deadly combo. The Kentucky Wildcats are going to surprise some folks this season as they will be one of the top teams in college basketball and in prime position to make a NCAA Tournament run.