Mark Pope Already Knew the SEC was Insane

Vicky Graff Photo

The Southeastern Conference dominated the second installment of a yearly challenge against the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The SEC won 14 of 16 games, and the lone defeats were fourth-ranked Kentucky’s 70-66 loss to Clemson on Tuesday night and No. 2 Auburn’s 84-78 defeat at Duke on Wednesday.

Kentucky coach Mark Pope wasn’t surprised by the SEC’s showing in the two-day showdown between the two Power Four conferences.

“Ours is the only one I’m surprised by,” Pope said with a smile. “This league is really incredible. … This league is insane right now. The dominance of the SEC in college basketball right now is just beyond measure.”

Third-ranked Tennessee (8-0) defeated Syracuse 96-70 in the challenge and is poised to take over the No. 1 ranking following top-ranked Kansas’ 76-63 loss to Creighton on Wednesday night. The Volunteers are the only unbeaten team remaining inside the Top 10. The Volunteers play Miami on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.

“My experience as a player in Kentucky, this league was on fire,’ Pope said. “It’s the way it feels right now, and it just makes it so fun. I’m so happy for BBN, just because we get to be in this environment right now, and cut our teeth on this and really show who we are and be refined in the fire, right? It’s going to be really fun.”