Mark Pope went all guns blazing in this transfer portal. They had the second-best transfer class according to ESPN, bringing the likes of Jayden Quaintance,  Jaland Lowe, Denzel Aberdeen, and Kam Williams. If that wasn’t enough, Mouhamed Dioubate and Reece Potter made this among the deepest rosters in the scene. However, in the process, they have a $22 million payroll, according to journalist Ben Roberts. For John Henson, that is enough to make this team one of the favorites this season.

“They spent the money, got the returns like the Dodgers. The Dodgers are in the World Series because they have the most money. So, Kentucky’s going to be in it. I think Kentucky’s a national championship contender by way of the talent and the money that is put into that roster,” Henson said on ‘The Field Of 68’ podcast. 

Ironically, many Kentucky fans are also Cincinnati Reds fans in the MLB. The Reds were absolutely blown out of the park in the Wildcard series against the Dodgers, losing the series 2-0. There, they complained that the Dodgers splashed $321 million on their squad while the Reds’ budget is restricted to only $115 million.

In the college basketball scenario, they are at the other end of the spectrum, though. The Wildcats are reportedly the highest spending program in the country this year and possibly the highest single-year budget in CBB history. Yes, pro baseball and college basketball operate on different dynamics, but this is about positioning, plain and simple.

Reflecting on his new-look roster, Pope summed it up perfectly, saying, “Right now, we feel like we’ve got a beautiful Ferrari, and we can’t wait to take it for a spin.”

And it’s not empty spending either, Mark Pope has assembled a squad with experience, skill, and enough capability to go all the way. There was a question of how the new star signings would gel, but if preseason was any indication, things are looking up for Kentucky. They beat the No.1 Purdue handily in that exhibition match, which further supported Henson’s argument. 

“The last time a preseason number one team has won a championship was 2009, so it’s been a long, long time. So, usually we’re off, right?” He said. Last year’s champions, Florida, stood 21st in the preseason poll. The year before that, Michigan was fourth. So, the rankings usually mean absolutely nothing.

Ultimately, with a spending size this big, it brings the same magnitude of pressure with it, especially after a 16-year drought. One of the anonymous coaches in the latest Candid Coaches feature also set the expectations clear, saying, “Since UK can do things no other school can financially, he would have to be a complete bozo to not win one soon.”

This is something that Mark Pope and Co. have to contend with. They can’t let the outside noise get the better of them. A bad patch could have them buckle under pressure. While Henson is betting high on Kentucky, only one of ESPN’s pundits is doing the same.  

ESPN experts cool on Mark Pope’s Final Four chances

Not everybody is as high on Mark Pope’s Kentucky as Henson. ESPN released its mega preview of the college basketball season, where four of its experts predict how the season will pan out. Only one had Kentucky in the final four: Myron Medcalf. Myron has Kentucky winning the SEC and marching to the top four, but has Houston winning the chip. 

“Florida and Kentucky are real contenders,” Medcalf said. “It seems as if Tennessee, Alabama, Auburn, and Arkansas could all be second-weekend teams, too. Last season’s SEC, however, had three players who made the Associated Press’ All-America first team and one who made the third team. Those were dominant squads with star power.”

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The complete ESPN Final Four predictions are as follows:  

Borzello: Purdue, Florida, Louisville, BYU

Lunardi: Duke, Purdue, Michigan, UConn

Medcalf: Kentucky, Houston, Purdue, BYU

Paine: Houston, Purdue, Michigan, Florida

Intriguingly, even Florida has only one supporter in this panel. They are the defending champions and have a history of going back-to-back. Yes, they lost Will Richard, Alijah Martin, and Walter Clayton Jr. But Boogie Fland and Xavien Lee make for able replacements.

If Kentucky doesn’t make the Final Four, it will undoubtedly be a huge disappointment considering their spending. And if the pressure wasn’t enough already, Medcalf also has Pope winning Coach of the Year after making the final four.

As the predictions take the center stage before the start of the season, their on-court performances will ultimately prove some right and some wrong.