Andrew Carr drives on Duke's Cooper Flagg Tuesday. (Vicky Graff Photo)
I am not sure Mark Pope could have picked two players who appreciate wearing the Kentucky jersey any more than Otega Oweh and Andrew Carr.
Both played key roles, especially late in the game, when UK upset Duke 77-72 Tuesday night in Atlanta. However, as much as they shined during the game they may have shined even more after the game ended.
“I would just say, you wear Kentucky on your chest, and you have to carry yourself a certain way. You know you’re not just playing for yourself. You’re playing for a whole nation. You’re playing for your brothers,” Oweh, who hit late free throws to help clinch the win along with making a steal, said.
Wait. There’s more to like if you are a Kentucky fan.
“It’s a dream to play for Kentucky. The fact that I’m here, the fact that AC (Carr) is here (in the interview room), I know it just makes everyone play harder. Obviously just wearing a Kentucky jersey definitely makes you want to go out there and play,” Oweh, an Oklahoma transfer, said.
Do not doubt that he meant every word because his play has more than backed up his words all season.
Carr came to UK from Wake Forest but fully embraces the same attitude as Oweh about being at Kentucky now.
“Something that we always talk about as a team is just our run, our whatever it is, we’re looking for that Jenga block to fall. We’re just going to keep coming at you guys. We’re going to keep coming at you guys throughout the game over and over and over again until we go on that run or come back and are able to make an impact on the game,” Carr said.
“Whether it’s going to be Otega and me and Amari (Williams) tonight, it’s going to be someone else, Brandon (Garrison) and Jaxson (Robinson) and Kerr (Kriisa) the next night, and that’s what really makes our team super special.
“So when you’re able to surround yourself on a team that Otega talked about, that means that much with amazing people and super talented basketball players, you really trust your teammates and it becomes really special.”
Say amen Big Blue fans. That sincerity and passion for Kentucky basketball has been missing but Pope has not only brought it back to fans but also with the players wearing the UK jersey.
“Who gets to coach guys like this? Come on, man,” Pope said after listening to the two players.
14 Responses
Watching UK the other night and comparing it to the last few years is a night and day difference. Pope is actually running plays for the players. They are making hard cuts, setting screens, and playing hard nosed defense.
There is a lot of difference in coaching to win a game as a team and coaching to show the NBA what talent your players have.
If Cal and Pope were both math teachers, Cal would be teaching General Mathematics, while Pope would be teaching Calculus.
Excellent points & analogy, OldFan! This TEAM displays the attitude, belief, intelligence, & knowledge of their coach.
1/4 century waiting for genuine UK BB to return to to Rupp Arena…
And it’s finally here!!!
If these guys can stay motivated, stay unselfish, This could be a special season and be added to the KY lore.
It is unbelievable that Cal could be so deficient in BB 101 fundamentals for a coach that had been so successful for so long. He obviously excelled at Recruiting and TG because that worked in our favor for many years, and he was a great ambassador for UK. I do wish big Z had stayed because I believe he was 6-7 on 3’s their last game.
Under the FRAUD, players were playing for themselves. They were doing BBN a favor to come here or were paid to come here. Pope’s team wants to win for both Kentucky and BBN. This will matter when they play the better teams.
Im so excited about this season and to see this team gel and get better every game is going to be very entertaining. The craziest part of the win against Duke is that the 1 player that pro scouts are high on the team Robinson had his worst game as a Wildcat and will probably the worst game he plays all year. I’m glad he got that out of his system and we got the win. If you would have told me how many points he had before the game I would have said we probably got blown out, but us winning with Robinson not having a good offensive game is a great sign of things to come for this team. I really like Ansley A. He provides a spark every time he comes in the game. So does Kerr Kriisa. Butler needs to calm down a hair on offense. Brea is way better than I thought he would be offensively. I seen him as just a shooter but he can do more than I thought. Oweh is like a power back when he drives to the basket. He would probably be a excellent tight end on the football team lol. Then again he wouldn’t get any targets lol. Good day.
Caleb Wilson has canceled his visit to Arkansas.
Recruits are starting to see what we’ve seen for several years now.
Yes! The secret is out. The fraud is a loser!
UK BB w/Coach Pope
2-0 preseason
3-0 regular season
UK FB – last 12 games
2-10
Should UK close the FB program instead of getting walloped by TX & UL ?
Restart with a new staff.
Who could have ever thought Chjoker was a bargain!? He could win 2 out of 12 games for a fraction of $9 Million!
UK BB is BACK & rising to the TOP!!!
Come on guys let it go Cal is no longer here and your still bashing him. Lets focus what we got now and go forward not keep talking about the past.
Calipari earned the bashing that is continuing. The only people who object are the Calipari lovers. The FRAUD tried to sabotage the Kentucky program and it didn’t work. I’m going to ride his ass all season and rejoice with everyone of the double digit losses he will acquire before the SEC tourney. If the Calipari lovers want to be pariahs in BBN that can be their choice, but you will be better off keeping those feelings about Calipari to yourself. Think about and you will see that I am right.
First of all I’m not a Cal lover and it seems you guys got too much hangover about Cal. I wanted Cal out too and I’ve have move on enjoying this new ERA not worrying about what Cal did. Life is too short to dwell what happen in the past.
With you Cats79. Celebrate Pope
I’ll move on someday but I’m not over it yet.
Me, Barry, Professor, Old Fan, Little Baron, and several others waged a war last year and we won.
To the winners goes the spoils!
Ride Captain Ride!