Vicky Graff Photo
Because of the way Tennessee dominated Kentucky in its 78-65 win Friday night in Indianapolis, there really were not a lot of “game” questions to ask Kentucky coach Mark Pope because the Vols had a huge edge on both ends.
Instead, Pope was asked about him and some players noting they felt God had a plan for this team versus those who counter that God has more worries than who wins a particular basketball game.
“Man, this could be a long answer. I’ll keep it brief,” Pope said. “I do believe that God has a plan for our lives. I do believe God brought all of us together with this extraordinary group.
“I think he brought us together so each of us individually could grow. I think he brought us together so we could build relationships that are going to last forever. I’m pretty sure one of these guys will be slumming at my house some time in the next few years. I don’t know who it’s going to be.”
Pope had more to say.
“I think that these guys have had an incredible impact. They’ve gone out of their way to have an incredible impact on BBN and the state of Kentucky and the community around them, whether it’s been their regular hospital visits or Ronald McDonald House visits, or meeting with fans before or after games, finding other ways to serve, and serving each other,” Pope said.
“I think this group was brought together to serve the best they can. And these guys did it in an incredible fashion. We didn’t finish the job, which is a real thing.
“But short of that, you couldn’t ask one more thing from these guys in how they serve, the standard they set, and how much of themselves they have given to this jersey and this community.”
UK-UT Sweet Sixteen
Photos by Vicky Graff
6 Responses
I am not sure that God focuses on making plans for athletic teams; that is a job for coaches with His blessings. It is ok to ask for God’s blessings but we also have to say His will be done, not ours.
I agree Barry
I understand Pope and the team are planning a walk on the water at the reservoir on Richmond Road in the near future. I hope someone takes photos. It’s only been done by a Deity once before, and I want it well documented.
I bet Father Jim Sichko would document it
I know folks joke about God and Athletes but I helped coach football many years ago and it hurt my heart because there was and is so many young men who were being raised by someone single moms and grandparents. It caused me to join a men’s organizations called “Promise Keepers”, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Gideon’s. All my coaches, my own coaches and myself tried to help young men learn and know about Our Lord and Savior especially the really troubled ones, I was fortunate enough to see several get saved and baptized. There are very few amateur and professional athletes both girls, boys, women and men that don’t develop the love that Jesus instills in them while playing together in sports. Praying together and being coached by Godly men and women can be the best thing that can happen in their lives. God Bless and Let’s Go Cats! Kentucky boy born & raised! Rick
A marvelous testimony & message, Rick! Thank you. I hope many read it & that anyone who is in need will have an open heart and mind to ponder their need to act NOW and pray to receive the Lord Jesus as their Savior and seek fellowship to pursue being baptized.
Coach Pope did not slack off one iota in his responsibility to recruit and develop the very best team possible to wear UK on their jersey. His belief in God enhanced his impact on the college players, and that is a wonderful bonus to the program!
I personally believe that Coach Pope & his well vetted assistants did an incredible job blending & molding the minds of many individuals to become a TEAM 1st unit whose early season games revealed UK had a genuine Title contender!
Unfortunately, SOME players reverted back to their selfish individual ways and it cracked the cohesive chemistry experienced initially. That crack enlarged each time any player would shoot and not pass. The losses reveal the worst TEAM play were the games when the A:TO ratio was pitiful. Even a player who scored a lot may have been the most guilty of selfishness – easily revealed in the Assist stat.
The TEAM 1st in games 1 & 2 in the Big Dancr reminded me of those very early season games when UK passing was sharp & led to good shots. The loss in the S16 reflects the non-TEAM play by SOME players and therefore UK looked lost at both ends of the floor.
UK is 2-1 vs the FF teams.
UK will be 2-0 vs teams in the finals if FL plays Duke!
How many teams have ever had such a 2-1 and 1-0 record against the FF & Final teams? Maybe only UK
So, Pope & staff and some consistent players like the big Wake Forest transfer and Butler were right on track for #9, but it takes 5 on the floor with FOCUS & no other “goals”.