Mark Pope talked about his vision for his first season as Kentucky’s basketball coach Tuesday afternoon. His goals in year one are as lofty as they come.

Kentucky men’s basketball coach Mark Pope talks to the media during the Wildcats’ media day on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, at Memorial Coliseum in Lexington. Pope spoke about adopting a Japanese proverb he recently learned.

Both programs are beginning a new era under first-year head coaches at UK. Mark Pope took the reins on the men’s basketball side, while Kenny Brooks will lead the way for the women’s program.