Just a few weeks ago, Mark Pope stood in the middle of a roaring locker room, drenched in celebration and praise. Kentucky had finally punched its ticket to the Sweet 16—something the blue-blood program hadn’t done in six years. Fans were buzzing, players were fired up, and Pope, Kentucky’s new head coach, looked like a man on a mission. But in the world of college basketball, highs rarely last long. Especially when the transfer portal opens.
Pope’s momentum hit a wall this week when one of his biggest offseason targets, Lamar Wilkerson, slipped through his fingers—and into Indiana’s. The move caught many off guard, and just like that, Kentucky’s much-hyped rebuild absorbed its first major blow.
The Sam Houston State guard, a 6-foot-5 sharpshooter who averaged 20.5 points per game and shot 44.5% from beyond the arc, had taken a visit to Lexington. The momentum seemed to be heading in Kentucky’s favor. Recruiting insiders already had him written down for Wildcats call. Then, it happened. “Most of the weekend, it felt like Lamar was trending towards Kentucky; that was going to be where he ended up going and that was going to end up being the place that he would be committing to. And that’s not where he went,” Rob Dauster said on Field of 68: After Dark.
The sudden turn was more than a headline—it was a gut punch. Wilkerson would’ve filled a glaring need: a go-to perimeter scorer for Mark Pope. His perimeter shooting could have stretched defenses. And his shot-creation ability could have filled a void for a team hoping to make the jump from Sweet 16 hopeful to Final Four contender.
Nevertheless, Indiana’s pitch proved irresistible. Jeff Goodman broke it down on Field of 68: “The sales pitch from Darian DeVries is like, ‘Hey, Indiana hasn’t been very good for a while. They’ve been mediocre for a long time. You can be a part of something here to be beloved.’ And not that you can’t at Kentucky, but it’s been done over and over again… for the most part, Kentucky has been very good for the last 15 years.”
Goodman’s point hits home. At Kentucky, Wilkerson may have found himself in a crowded rotation. At Indiana, he’ll be central to the program’s identity. That promise of a starring role, paired with a strong connection to Coach DeVries, sealed the deal.
Eyes on Otega Oweh as Mark Pope looks for his next move
While Wilkerson’s commitment elsewhere stings, Pope still has a chance to make a major roster-saving play: convincing Otega Oweh to return. Kentucky’s leading scorer has declared for the NBA Draft but has kept his college eligibility intact. His potential return could stabilize the backcourt and provide the scoring boost.
NCAA, College League, USA Basketball: South Carolina at Kentucky Feb 8, 2025 Lexington, Kentucky, USA Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope talks with guard Otega Oweh 00 during the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Lexington Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center Kentucky USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJordanxPratherx 20250208_sns_li0_00184
“You’re looking at all the names and guys. I mean, Otega Oweh put his name in for the draft, but I would assume he’s more likely to come back. I mean, you would think he’s back, wouldn’t you?” said Goodman, again on Field of 68.
Interestingly, the odds of Oweh returning seem high. After transferring from Oklahoma, he led Kentucky with 16.2 points per game and became a focal point of Pope’s system. Without a first-round draft projection, Oweh could benefit from another season in Lexington—both for his development and to elevate Kentucky’s chances in March.
Nevertheless, the situation highlights just how fluid college basketball has become. For Pope, Wilkerson’s decision may be a speed bump—but it also serves as a reminder. In today’s landscape, coaches must not only build rosters but continuously sell their programs, re-recruit their players, and adapt to sudden changes.
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