John Calipari, who led the Wildcats for 15 seasons, stepped down April 9. One day later, Arkansas announced Calipari as its new coach.

UK then took a page from its past to tab Calipari’s successor: Mark Pope, who spent three seasons in Lexington under former coach Rick Pitino and was a team captain of the 1995-96 national championship squad, was hired the same week as Calipari’s departure.

Pope whipped up a frenzy at his introductory news conference, with every seat at Rupp Arena accounted for by fans eager to see, and hear, their new coach. He kept up the excitement at Big Blue Madness, bringing back Pitino — to a standing ovation — as Kentucky honored the living members of its eight national title teams to cap the event. A week later, the team hosted the Blue-White Preseason Event at Memorial Coliseum.

After lopsided wins in its two preseason exhibitions (over Kentucky Wesleyan and Minnesota State Mankato, respectively), all that’s left for UK and Pope is to tip off the 2024-25 regular season.

That comes to pass at 7 p.m. Monday, when Kentucky hosts Wright State at Rupp Arena.

Until then, check out The Courier Journal’s coverage of the UK basketball program from the moment Pope took over through the final week of the 2024-25 preseason:

Coaching philosophy: Mark Pope, Kentucky basketball staff are ‘trying to live in that gray space’ of innovation

On the trail: Winning NCAA Tournament the focus for Mark Pope and staff in recruiting

Rick Pitino: Former Kentucky coach makes triumphant return at Big Blue Madness

Cody Fueger: Assistant coach has made a name for himself with offensive innovation

Equilibrium: Kentucky basketball additions under Mark Pope lauded for balance on offense, defense

‘There’s a lot to love’: Kentucky basketball roster under Mark Pope highlighted by depth

Rookie Kentucky coaches: How previous first-year UK basketball coaches have fared in Year 1

Kentucky basketball roster 2024-25: The first team of UK’s Mark Pope era

Brandon Garrison: Oklahoma State transfer committed to Kentucky basketball and Mark Pope without visit to Lexington

What to know: Kentucky basketball, Mark Pope will put ‘aggressive’ offense on display — and plenty of 3s

‘Perfect fit’: Former UK basketball players sold on Mark Pope leading program

The Wildcats’ brand: Kentucky basketball coach Mark Pope wants program to take on this identity

Unbreakable? These Kentucky basketball records will be hard to top

3 keys for success: These factors will determine how good 2024-25 Wildcats are

3 questions: UK must answer these questions in 2024-25 to see success

Measuring sticks: How good will Kentucky basketball be under Mark Pope in 2024-25? These 5 games will show what the Wildcats are made of.

Pro day takeaways: Andrew Carr and Trent Noah impress in front of NBA scouts

• Column: For Pat Kelsey and Mark Pope, recruiting relationships still matter in NIL era
• Column: Kentucky basketball’s Otega Oweh going to make everyone learn his name, as they should
• Column: Kentucky basketball players, Mark Pope speaking same language will be key for Cats
• Column: Expect UK basketball to keep winning NBA draft, with new approach, under Mark Pope
• Column: Lamont Butler to serve as barometer for Kentucky basketball success under Mark Pope
• Podcast: Kentucky basketball coach Mark Pope on building roster from scratch
• Column: Kentucky basketball coach Mark Pope takes page from Rick Pitino in winning with 3s
• Column: Pat Kelsey, Mark Pope forever linked by timing of basketball hires in commonwealth
• Column: Could Louisville’s Pat Kelsey or Kentucky’s Mark Pope be the next Dan Hurley?
• Column: Mark Pope, new Kentucky basketball coach, out to make name for himself with Cats
• Column: Mark Pope worthy of being Kentucky basketball coach despite lack of signature wins
• Podcast: UK AD Mitch Barnhart on Mark Pope succeeding John Calipari, paying athletes, more

Around the league: What SEC coaches are saying about Mark Pope’s first Kentucky basketball roster

Preseason coaches rankings: Did Mark Pope’s team land in the USA TODAY poll?

Preseason AP poll: Where do Wildcats rank?

Transfer market: How does Kentucky basketball coach Mark Pope’s first transfer haul stack up in the SEC?

Top-ranked prospect Jasper Johnson commits to Kentucky basketball

Lexington native Jasper Johnson, the top-ranked player in the state in the 2025 class, commits to the University of Kentucky basketball program.

Sam Upshaw Jr.

UK basketball 2025 recruiting tracker: Learn about Mark Pope’s two commitments so far

Jasper Johnson: Five-star combo guard and UK legacy is the second member of Kentucky basketball’s 2025 recruiting class. What to know

Kentucky basketball recruiting: Mark Pope has offers out to these players in 2025 class

Thinking behind the decision: The moment 2025 prospect Malachi Moreno knew he would commit to Kentucky basketball

Malachi Moreno: In-state star becomes Kentucky basketball’s first 2025 commitment. Here’s what to know

• Ansley Almonor (forward, senior)
• Koby Brea (guard, graduate)
• Lamont Butler (guard, graduate)
• Andrew Carr (forward, graduate)
• Collin Chandler (guard, freshman)
• Grant Darbyshire (guard, junior)
• Brandon Garrison (forward, sophomore)
• Walker Horn (guard, junior)
• Kerr Kriisa (guard, senior)
• Trent Noah (forward, freshman)
• Otega Oweh (guard, junior)
• Travis Perry (guard, freshman)
• Jaxson Robinson (guard, graduate)
• Zach Tow (forward, junior)
• Amari Williams (center, graduate)
• Associate head coach Alvin Brooks III
• Associate coach Mark Fox
• Assistant coach Cody Fueger
• Assistant coach Jason Hart
• Assistant coach Mikhail McLean

Blue-White event: Check out a photo gallery from the intrasquad outing

Big Blue Madness: Recap Kentucky basketball tipoff event at Rupp Arena

Ex-Cats: Where transfer portal has taken 14 former Kentucky basketball players for 2024-25 season

Travis Perry: Did Kentucky basketball freshman make 100% of his free throws on consecutive days?Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.