Vicky Graff Photo
Alabama coach Nate Oats gave coach Mark Pope his first Rupp Arena loss when the Crimson Tide outscored UK 102-97. However, Oats could not have been more gracious in his praise of Pope after the game
“I thought it was a great fit (when Pope was hired). He played here, he knows what this place is about, from afar it kind of seems like one of those teams that BYU would play,” Oats said. “I think what you’re seeing is offensive production. He’s going to be able to get players here.
“He’s always had a tradition to get players. When they hired him it made total sense, and his introductory press conference, the way they rolled him in was pretty cool. I think Mark is a great guy. Seems to me like the state’s embraced him.”
Oats said losing to his team was not a “bad loss” for Kentucky and he still believes Kentucky has a very good team.
“He’s done a great job. I think it helps the SEC to have Kentucky good,” Oats said. “They’ve been traditionally good most years and he’s got them very good.”
