UK Athletics Photo
Kentucky coach Mark Pope remembers beating Syracuse 76-67 in the 1996 national championship game and how he worried he might blow the game for coach Rick Pitino’s team if he missed free throws late in the game.
“There was, give or take, a minute left. The only meaningful play I made in my entire career,” Pope joked. “They were pushing the ball down the floor and I trip and fall and it is deflected and they give me a foul. That is how good I was.
“So it happened right down there in the Meadowlands and I started to walk from there to the free-throw line, I don’t know, 50 seconds left, maybe up three (points), maybe up five, and there was only one thought.
“This is honestly the truth. I was not thinking about form or team or celebration or score, I literally was walking, and I promise this is true, the only thought that came into my mind is, if I don’t make this they are going to kill me. And who wants that?
“That is why we are here, guys. That is what we do.”
Pope came off the bench to play 27 minutes — fourth most on the team — but went 1-for-6 from the field. He did have three rebounds, two assists and one steal but he also had four turnovers.
However, he went 2-for-2 at the foul line while being motivated by the fear of coach Rick Pitino and his teammates.
One Response
Do it again coach pope