Kentucky basketball fans are used to debating who should run the offence. This season, Mark Pope may have a different question: What happens when you have two guards trying to do the job together?

Pope is looking at a shared lead-guard arrangement with Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins. Rather than having one player control the ball and another provide relief, he wants both involved, especially when Kentucky gets the chance to run in transition. It’s an interesting idea. It could also tell us a lot about the kind of team Pope is trying to build.

Two Guards, One Backcourt

The plan is to let Diallo and Wilkins create opportunities when the Wildcats are moving quickly up the floor. Once Kentucky settles into its half-court offence, things become more traditional.

That approach makes sense. Why ask one player to make every decision when you have two guards who can create something? More ball-handlers can make it harder for opponents to get organized, and Kentucky could become especially dangerous when it gets out in the open floor.

But there’s a catch. The two guards don’t necessarily see the game the same way. Pope has described their styles as different. One is more inclined to make quick decisions and move the ball, while the other is more comfortable holding it and creating an opportunity. Those differences could complement each other. They could also create some confusion if both players want to control the same possession.

That’s the part worth watching. Talent isn’t the issue. Learning when to lead, when to move the ball, and when to let the other guard take over will take time.

Can the Wildcats’ Speed Make Up for Strength?

There is another challenge for Pope. He has acknowledged that Kentucky may not be as physically powerful as some of the teams it will face. That makes the backcourt experiment more than an interesting coaching wrinkle. If the Wildcats can’t simply overpower opponents, they need another way to make life difficult.

Speed and skill might provide the answer. Getting the ball up the floor quickly, attacking before a defence is set and making opponents cover more ground could become important parts of Kentucky’s identity. Of course, that only works if the guards are on the same page.

Can Two Kentucky Creators Be Better Than One?

Pope is betting that two creators can be better than one, especially when the game opens up. If Diallo and Wilkins develop the right chemistry, Kentucky could have a backcourt that gives opponents plenty to think about. If they don’t, the arrangement could become two players taking turns rather than making each other better.

It’s too early to judge the experiment. But this is one of the more interesting questions surrounding Pope’s Kentucky team. He’s not just looking for a point guard. He’s trying to find a new way to make the whole backcourt work.

Related: Will Stein Has Kentucky Rolling. Can the Wildcats Meet Expectations?