Mark Pope was in high spirits during his Monday night appearance on Kentucky Sports Radio, reflecting on the Wildcats’ thrilling 93-85 victory over Louisville, which marked his first-ever Battle of the Bluegrass win as head coach. The victory pushed Kentucky to 10-1, and Pope’s excitement was palpable as he shared details about his team’s growth and upcoming plans. Here are the five best moments from this week’s UK HealthCare Mark Pope Show.
1. Pope Recruits Lamont Butler to Kentucky After Fighting Him for Years Pope revealed that he was so tired of playing against Lamont Butler—who tormented him while at San Diego State—that he decided to recruit him to Kentucky. “I lost so much sleep trying to figure out how to stop him,” Pope said, reminiscing about their matchups. Butler’s performance in the Louisville game, scoring 33 points, cemented his place as one of Kentucky’s most valuable players.
2. Becoming Part of Kentucky’s Historic Rivalry Legacy Reflecting on the significance of the Battle of the Bluegrass, Pope discussed how special it is for his players to take part in the historic rivalry. Former Wildcats sent heartfelt letters to the current team, explaining the importance of the matchup. Pope emphasized how this win ties the players to Kentucky’s rich legacy and the Wildcats’ future generations.
3. Possible Return of Alternate Uniforms Pope entertained a fan request about bringing back the black uniforms that were popular in previous years. While he couldn’t guarantee it, Pope promised to work on making it happen: “Put it in a request, I’ll try and make it happen,” he said, sparking excitement for potential uniform surprises.
4. Team Bonding in New York City With the Wildcats set to face Ohio State in the CBS Sports Classic, Pope spoke about the team’s planned activities in New York City. After finals, the team will spend two days in the Big Apple, exploring and bonding. “There’s no better place in the world to do that than New York City,” Pope said, showing his love for his hometown.
5. Defining the ‘Championship Chest’ In one of his most thoughtful moments, Pope explained the concept of the “championship chest” in defense. The philosophy emphasizes the importance of using your body—specifically your chest—to guard without fouling. Pope praised players like Lamont Butler and Otega Oweh for their mastery of this technique, which has helped Kentucky excel in defense.
Mark Pope’s insights on the KSR show offer a glimpse into the exciting journey ahead for Kentucky basketball, with more big moments and strategies to come this season.
