Kentucky basketball continues to earn national respect under head coach Mark Pope. Ricky O’Donnell of SB Nation ranked Kentucky No. 6 on his list of nine teams capable of winning the 2026 men’s national championship, placing them just behind Houston, Purdue, Duke, St. John’s, and Michigan.
O’Donnell admitted he was skeptical about Pope replacing John Calipari, but he says the second-year coach has quickly proven he can win with his system.
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“Pope made me a believer by developing connectivity and a whirling offense out of a roster entirely patched together through the transfer portal,” O’Donnell wrote.
This year’s roster mixes continuity with new star power. Otega Oweh and Brandon Garrison return, while a top-tier transfer class brings in Kam Williams, Jayden Quaintance, Jaland Lowe, and Denzel Aberdeen. Williams is expected to provide perimeter shooting, Quaintance gives Kentucky a potential defensive anchor when healthy from his ACL tear, while Lowe and Aberdeen add playmaking ability.
Kentucky also welcomes 5-star freshmen Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno, adding even more depth to a rotation O’Donnell believes could be the strongest in the country.
Still, concerns remain. Lowe’s shooting inconsistencies with shooting just 26% from three last year and how the frontcourt rotation balances out are key questions, but O’Donnell says Pope has already proven his system can be an elite offense, and with this mix of talent, Kentucky has a legitimate chance to contend.
To see O’Donnell’s top nine teams, you can click the link HERE.
