Mark Pope knows the magic key will be team play. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Ask Kentucky coach Mark Pope a question about his victory lap at State Farm Arena in Atlanta Tuesday night after UK’s win over Duke and you end up with more praise for his team instead.
“I think one of the things that’s great about our team is this is not actually about us. It’s not about me. If this gets about me, it gets too big. If it gets about Andrew Carr, it gets too big,” said the Kentucky coach.
“We’re a pretty faithful group, and we get to learn that this isn’t really about us. So I think the best part about all of us being able to acknowledge our fans in the stands is it’s just an extension of that. This is about us, it’s not about me.”
Carr and teammate Otega Oweh were seated with Pope at the UK postgame press conference as he was talking.
“If Andrew has to carry around the burden of this being about him, it’s too big. If Otega has to carry around the burden of this being about him, it’s too big, and it’s actually not very rewarding,” Pope said.
“When it can be about us, that’s when it’s magic. That’s the gospel. That’s life. This team has really adopted that.”
Wait. There was more.
“So getting to walk around and just acknowledge everybody, it’s like it’s us. It’s us. It’s these guys fighting on the floor. It’s all of BBN showing up. It’s a brilliant thing, and we get to be at the best place in the world to do it,” Pope said.
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And it’s not just words.
It’s real. His family knew he was hoping for the day he would get the call to be the UK coach. They all knew he was a genuine BBN member.
Now he is embracing the BBN with the players and enjoying being a part of the package.
It’s rewarding to see such a fine person be rewarded with this coaching job. And we all benefit from the fun of being a vibrant BBN once again.
You hit it right on the head. Whoever coaches at Kentucky is rewarded with the history and culture at the University. There isn’t another college program like Kentucky out there. There are programs that are close but I don’t think anyone has dominated college basketball the way we have from decade to decade always still relevant. We were on the grasp of losing this wit coach cal here. We completely swept the culture and love under the rug for NBA draft picks. If cal would have stayed another couple of years we could have lost our program forever. There isn’t one coach I would rather have then Pope. I wanted Mark Few when we were looking for a coach. Few would have done good here at Kentucky but I think Pope can do great. Its hard to find anyone who loves this program more than Pope so he’s willing to do whatever to put us back on top. Its been awhile since we’ve been this good. It only took Pope 2 months to assemble this team and he had 2 months to do it. I’ve never seen anyone work so hard and love what they do more than Mark Pope here at Kentucky its blessing watching everything come together.
You have expressed 100% support of Pope from day 1 and he has proven to be the key to returning UK to the pinnacle.
I wanted Pitino back as soon as he resigned from the Celtics and he’s been my 1st choice through the 1st day UK was looking for a coach this year. I was concerned of Pope would be better off as an assistant to Pitino. Then the big media frenzy to announce Pope as the coach and the superior endorsement by lPitino, talking about how intelligent Pope is & how much he loves UK… I was convinced he is the very best choice of any coach anywhere & suddenly was lit up the idea that Pope is the best of the best!
It’s not just about winning. It’s about putting a team on the court the fans can be proud of. I remember Pitino’s first team. What did they go, something like 14-14, but it was one of the most fun teams I ever watched. They laid it all on the floor every game. That is all I want to see. Sure, I like winning, but I want a team that fights and doesn’t know the word quit!!
14-14 was an amazing record, rebuilding from the ashes as a result of the ncaa & Emory freight sabotaging UK BB. The 2nd year UK had the best record in the SEC while still not allowed to play post season. A fast track recovery!
This year UK is moving at supersonic speed!
Hypersonic
We finally have a real basketball coach and a real basketball team! Go CATS!!!!