At SEC Media Days, Kentucky’s men’s coach Mark Pope discussed the team’s potential to shoot many three-pointers and the return of Otega Oweh from injury. For the women’s team, coach Kenny Brooks highlighted the team’s height advantage with Clara Strack, Teonni Key, and Amelia Hassett. Strack was named to the Preseason All-SEC Second Team. Both teams had significant talking points at the event in Birmingham.
Head Coach Mark Pope: Pope spoke about championship aspirations and the team’s potential to shoot as many as 30 three-pointers per game.
Player Updates: Otega Oweh returned to practice, which included a poster dunk. Jayden Quaintance will not sit out to focus on recovery for the NBA.
Preseason Blockbuster: In a first for the storied program, Pope is excited to learn about his team versus number one Purdue in an exhibition game.
Team Outlook: The team has a lot of size and depth, with the projected starting five including point guard Jaland Lowe, wings Otega Oweh and Denzel Aberdeen, forward Mo Dioubate, and Brandon Garrison as the center to begin the season.
Head Coach Kenny Brooks: Brooks emphasized the team’s height, with three players being 6’4″ or taller, and how they plan to use this to their advantage.
Biggest Question To Answer: Replacing Georgia Amoore. Coach Brooks brought in All-ACC point guard Tonie Morgan from Georgia Tech to run the team.
Player Recognition: Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Clara Strack was selected to the Preseason All-SEC Second Team.
Team Outlook: The team has a lot of size and has the potential to compete with any other team in the conference, as long as they build chemistry.
Media Polls: While the men’s team wasn’t picked to win, Otega Oweh was named the Preseason Player of the Year.
Preseason Ranking: The men’s team was ranked ninth in the preseason poll. The women’s team was selected number 24 to begin the season in the AP Poll.
Both Teams are coming off of successful first years with their head coaches. Brooks and his players have high expectations and goals for the season. The SEC women’s basketball is a gauntlet that they believe they can compete to win and chase a Final Four.
Coach Pope and the men’s team have the ultimate standards at Kentucky, and they embrace them. Their chase for championship number nine began after their run ended in the sweet 16 last season. Kentucky basketball is back for another fun and exciting ride of lure in their storied history.
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