Kentucky’s work in the transfer portal, despite being largely reduced to the murky details surrounding Zoom Diallo’s visit this past weekend, is actually far more expansive than it appears on the surface. Mark Pope isn’t just trying to avoid overspending this cycle — he’s casting an extremely wide net, reaching out to nearly every viable option willing to engage in a conversation.
To some Kentucky fans, that approach might feel unsettling, sparking fears that Pope could eventually settle at a key position. In reality, the opposite is true. Kentucky is making contact with nearly every top-tier name in the portal, thoroughly evaluating each player against the program’s standards and how they would specifically fit within Pope’s system. This offseason, more than ever, his focus appears to be locking down a reliable and clearly defined backcourt.
That pursuit has now brought Kentucky into contact with Butler guard Finley Bizjack. According to reports from Pete Nakos, the Wildcats are actively working to line up a visit. Beyond his eye-catching, highlight-reel passing ability, Bizjack’s biggest calling card is simple and dangerous: he knows how to put the ball in the basket.
Bizjack’s All-Big East Third Team selection barely scratches the surface of his impact. He averaged 17 points per game in his most recent season and failed to reach double figures in just four of 31 appearances. If Kentucky is looking for a straightforward solution to its scoring needs, Bizjack checks that box with ease.
That production, however, comes with volume. Bizjack scores because he isn’t shy about shooting, carrying a significant offensive load for Butler. His 43% shooting from the field and 35% from beyond the arc reflect just how much of the Bulldogs’ offense flowed through him.
How Bizjack handled that responsibility is both impressive and a little concerning at the same time. The tools are clearly there for him to flourish in Mark Pope’s perimeter-based offense, but making that leap would require him to fully adapt to the system.
Shaping Bizjack to Fit Pope’s Vision
Trim a handful of shot attempts, replace them with no-look feeds to open shooters and timely lobs to Malachi Moreno, and suddenly Bizjack looks like a true, multi-dimensional playmaker rather than just a volume scorer. The real question is whether Pope can push him past his current ceiling and elevate him to the level Kentucky needs to truly contend.
Still, the fact that Pope is pursuing him strongly enough to bring him in for a visit says plenty. He clearly sees the upside. Until proven otherwise, Big Blue Nation has reason to believe in that vision.