ESPN’s Jay Bilas has released The Bilas Index for the 2024-25 season.
Bilas has Kentucky ranked No. 15.
The top 5 according to The Bilas Index: 1) UConn, 2) Alabama, 3) Kansas, 4) Houston and 5) Duke.
Here’s an excerpt about the Wildcats:
15. Kentucky Wildcats
There is renewed energy in Lexington due to the arrival of former Wildcat Mark Pope to replace John Calipari at the helm. Pope played at Kentucky for Rick Pitino and won a title in 1996 on one of the all-time great teams in college basketball. Pope is an offensive genius, and there will be 3s raining down in Rupp all season. Pope is a positive influence and thinker, but he does not have a superstar or surefire NBA draft pick on this completely new roster. What he has is loads of very good, very skilled players who can shoot the ball, and that will be nothing but fun. Kentucky will not be star-studded, but the Wildcats will be fun and joyful. Transfers Jaxson Robinson (BYU) and Koby Brea (Dayton) can both fill it up, and Lamont Butler (San Diego State) provides Final Four experience, leadership and defense. Kerr Kriisa (Arizona and West Virginia) is a daring passer who will have freedom to create, and Otega Oweh (Oklahoma) is a physical defender who will put his body on the line for Big Blue Nation. And, Rupp Arena has the best ice cream in the country, which should be a recruiting advantage.
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