Thursday Headlines: Caleb Wilson Day and Mark Pope Coach of the Year(?)

Posted by author January 23, 2025 Basketball

Today is Caleb Wilson Day, as the talented 5-star forward announces where he plans to play college basketball next year.

This is mostly viewed as a two-horse race between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Kentucky Wildcats. Ohio State is a third finalist, but most insiders project either UNC or UK.

Kentucky was once viewed as the favorite in this recruitment, but recent buzz has been with the Tar Heels, Reports are Wilson sees more of a path to playing time at UNC than at Kentucky, and then there’s the question of NIL.

Regardless, most of the buzz is with UNC headed into decision day, but Kentucky shouldn’t be totally counted out just yet.

If Wilson chooses UNC, Kentucky could make a big push on Nate Ament, a top-five prospect in the class. Kentucky could also wait until the transfer portal opens and look to fill that spot through the portal, where there will be no shortage of options.

With Mark Pope’s success in the transfer portal last offseason in building a full roster, Kentucky should be in the mix for talented transfers.

Speaking of Pope, could Kentucky’s head coach be in the mix for National Coach of the Year?

Gary Parrish of CBS Sports thinks Pope is the frontrunner.

”No. 1, I’ve got Mark Pope at Kentucky,” said Parrish. “You can argue Jon Scheyer or Bruce Pearl, other people as well, but I just love the story at Kentucky. He was not their first choice to replace John Calipari, but he’s been a perfect choice. 14-4 this season, he’s re-engaged that fanbase, and he’s got a legitimate Final Four contender.

“Yes, there are other first-year coaches around the country doing excellent work: Pat Kelsey at Louisville and Darian DeVries at West Virginia. But nobody is doing more than Mark Pope at Kentucky. Right now, he’d be my National Coach of the Year.”

Scheyer and Bruce Pearl are also contenders, and I think Pat Kelsey at Louisville has a really good argument based on the turnaround the Cardinals have had from the last two seasons. Depending on how Missouri finishes out the season, Dennis Gates should earn some consideration after turning things around following a disastrous 8-24 season that saw the Tigers go winless in the SEC.

There will be several contenders for the award, but Pope certainly has a good resume and a strong case to make for why he should receive this year’s award.