LEXINGTON, Ky. — Mark Pope replaced John Calipari as Kentucky coach and took the Wildcats to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament before losing five players. Pope has leaned heavily on the transfer portal to restock his roster, including bringing Jayden Quaintance to campus after he left for Arizona State with Calipari’s departure for Arkansas. Pope has leading scorer Otega Oweh back to help lead the way for a program whose expectations of playing for national championships never wavers. No. 9 Kentucky opens the season Tuesday night against Nicholls at Rupp Arena.

No. 9 Kentucky (24-12, 10-8 SEC)

Mark Pope replaced John Calipari as Kentucky coach and took the Wildcats to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament before losing five players. Pope turned to the transfer portal to restock his roste

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