Kentucky Must Shoot More Threes Next Season

Mark Pope Opens Up: Kentucky Must Shoot More Threes Next Season

As Kentucky fans continue to analyze and anticipate the Wildcats’ future under new head coach Mark Pope, the man himself has taken a brutally honest stance on one of the team’s biggest shortcomings last season three-point shooting.

Speaking candidly about the team’s offensive identity, Pope didn’t shy away from admitting that he missed the mark when it came to spacing the floor and firing from deep. His preseason goal? Letting it fly from beyond the arc with 30 to 35 attempts per game. The result? A significant shortfall.

“I failed miserably on that goal,” Pope said. “We wanted to play with pace, space the floor, and really open things up. But we didn’t shoot nearly as many threes as we planned, and that hurt us.”

The statement underscores a subtle shift in roster philosophy Pope is likely considering going into the next campaign. After bringing in a wave of transfers and young talent, some fans and analysts have raised concerns that Kentucky is becoming more focused on athleticism long, physical defenders who can run the floor rather than sharpshooting threats that can stretch defenses.

Pope doesn’t see it as one or the other.

“We absolutely want elite athletes who can defend and fly in transition,” he said. “But if we’re going to compete at the highest level, especially in March, we have to be able to shoot the ball consistently from deep. That’s not optional.”

Last season, Kentucky struggled with consistency behind the arc, and it became a glaring issue during key moments in conference play and the postseason. Opponents were able to sag off shooters and clog driving lanes, making the offense easier to defend.

Looking forward, Pope made it clear that high-volume three-point shooting will be a non-negotiable part of the team’s identity.

“We’ve got to stretch the floor. We’ve got to make defenses uncomfortable,” he said. “And that means recruiting and developing players who can hit from distance and giving them the green light to take those shots.”

With a roster still taking shape and the offseason heating up, Big Blue Nation will be watching closely to see how Pope addresses this balance. Can Kentucky keep its edge in athleticism while becoming one of the SEC’s best three-point shooting teams?

That’s the challenge ahead and Pope knows it.