BREAKING NEWS: Mark Pope Makes New Arrangements for Next Two Fixtures: Versus Nicholls Colonels and Valparaiso Beacons

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope has unveiled a series of tactical and lineup adjustments ahead of the team’s upcoming home fixtures against Nicholls Colonels (Nov. 4) and Valparaiso Beacons (Nov. 7) at Rupp Arena. Following an impressive exhibition performance over Purdue, Pope is fine-tuning his rotation and strategic setup as the regular season officially tips off.

Balanced Starting Lineup Expected

According to sources close to the team, Pope plans to field a hybrid starting lineup that blends athleticism with perimeter shooting. Otega Oweh, recently cleared from injury, is expected to reclaim his starting spot at shooting guard, partnering with D.J. Wagner in the backcourt. The duo offers both pace and defensive bite—two qualities Pope emphasized in training this week.

In the frontcourt, Malachi Moreno and Amari Williams are projected to start together, with Tre Mitchell likely shifting into a stretch-four role. Pope reportedly wants to experiment with a four-out, one-in motion offense, allowing the team’s bigs to stretch the floor while guards attack gaps off high screens.

Tactical Shifts in Focus

Coach Pope’s adjustments appear designed to improve both transition tempo and half-court spacing. Against Nicholls, a team known for pressing defense, Kentucky will prioritize early outlet passes and fast-break opportunities led by Wagner and Oweh.

For the Valparaiso matchup, Pope is expected to stress ball movement and interior rotations, countering Valpo’s slower, zone-heavy defensive sets. The coaching staff has been drilling “secondary break” actions that create open corner threes and mismatches off back screens.

“We’ve got depth and versatility,” Pope said in practice Thursday. “These next two games are about learning to play with rhythm and poise, no matter what the opponent throws at us.”

Bench Depth to be Tested

The Wildcats’ depth will also be tested early, with Reed Sheppard, Justin Edwards, and Rob Dillingham all expected to play extended minutes. Pope has hinted at a 10-man rotation, allowing fresh legs on defense and maintaining intensity across both fixtures.

Assistant coaches have been emphasizing defensive rotations and rebounding discipline—two areas Pope identified as “unfinished business” from last season.

Momentum Ahead of Major Tests

The Nicholls and Valparaiso games mark the final tune-ups before Kentucky’s first marquee matchup against Louisville (Nov. 11) and the Champions Classic vs. Michigan State (Nov. 18). For Pope, these early-season fixtures are as much about chemistry as they are about results.

“It’s not just about who starts,” Pope noted. “It’s about how five guys move together on the floor. We want to see that Big Blue flow that defines Kentucky basketball.”

With a restructured lineup, renewed energy from returning stars, and a system built on speed and precision, Kentucky enters the next two games aiming to set a dominant tone for the 2025-26 season.