Vicky Graff Photo
Kentucky coach Mark Pope knew Western Kentucky would be a good test for his team since the Hilltoppers returned eight players off a NCAA Tournament team.
Western Kentucky didn’t disappoint Pope, either, as it pushed UK before the Cats won 87-68 Tuesday night.
“Congratulations to Western Kentucky for a great hard-fought battle. It’s a good team. It’s a NCAA tournament team,” Pope said after the game. “Played really really hard, heavy, heavy pressure. I thought they were terrific tonight.
“They are going to have a really great season, and these in-state games are always fun for everyone and it was really good for our guys. I’m proud of how our guys responded and kept grinding and grinding and grinding away.”
Pope didn’t add Western Kentucky to the schedule when he got the job because the game was already on the schedule. But he certainly made it sound like he would prefer to have more games like this on the schedule in the future.
“I think in-state games are great because they are always tough. There’s just added emption, right? There is some pride to it and all of the things. And so when we get them they will be super useful,” Pope said.
“I did not set out, I think this was one of the ones that was out of my hands and part of the MTE,” he said. “Western Kentucky has an incredible basketball history. I love everything about the team except for that red color, it just drives me crazy.
“The coach is doing a great job and you know, they are a national brand and they got a ton of pride and they have a really good veteran team coming back that went to the tournament last year. I like it because it was a good game and I like it cause the in-state game.”
5 Responses
Did anyone else notice Amari Williams body language in the Western game? He did not look like he was enjoying himself in my opinion. He is the key to our team’s success and is doing a great job. I think the offense needs to run through him more though. Sometimes he can be the forgotten man.
He is a vital piece to reaching the FF with a shot at #9.
I hope Pope and his assistants give some special attention to him with development of techniques to handles the ball and eliminate those turnovers.
I agree about giving him more touches when he is in position to score.
The TEAM is still a work in progress but has already made an incredible jump start this season.
Beating 2 different style teams – Duke & WKU – helps prepare UK for a deep run in the post season.
Barry, Sometimes certain players have that during the season. I’ve seen it since basketball was invented and he won’t be the last one as the season goes along.
Happy Thanksgiving Larry Vaught. I noticed he seemed frustrated. Sometimes we play sloppy. I’m not going to point fingers or the blame game because I do love this teams chemistry, but sometimes Butler doesn’t see wide open people. Its like he already knows he’s driving to the basket no matter what. During the first couple of games I didn’t see it as much as the last couple of games. When he drives the defense collapses and he missed wide open guys with his head down. I don’t think he does it intentionally but I do think he has his mind made up to what he’s going to do. Maybe he was told to do this more idk? I definitely think Kerr Kriisa is our best choice at point guard. The bad thing is it hurts the defense. Maybe have Kriisa running the point on offense but Butler or Oweh guarding the point guard. Idk I just know he Williams needs to shoot about 4-5 more shots a game. I think he could absolutely dominate. It seems like he is forgotten on offense. Maybe ite because we run plays to shoot more 3s and that’s the reason he doesn’t get as many touches. One time when he was in the game we went on offense 5 times without him even touching the ball. Or maybe he’s frustrated by his turnovers. Idk but he’s definitely the best big man on he team. I think we also play great with Carr at the 5.
Williams is the top rated defender in the country, yet it seems that Garrison is getting more playing time.