Darius Miller loves Kentucky coach Mark Pope's approach to basketball. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Former University of Kentucky player Darius Miller played for coaches Billy Gillispie and John Calipari, two very different types of coaches, at UK. Now he’s enjoying what former Wildcat Mark Pope is doing as Kentucky’s coach.
“I love his approach to the game. I feel like he’s like a mad scientist in the way he’s got it down to a science but he’s also a genius with how he does it,” Miller said. “I can really appreciate that as a guy who studies a game, who really appreciates guys who study the game. I love that about him.
“I feel like he paid attention to the small details. There’s been plenty of games where we’ve seen us struggling in the first half and then in the second half they come out and look like a totally different team. I think that says a lot about his leadership and his coaching ability. But I’m a fan.”
Miller said he “loved” Calipari even though he’s now at Arkansas. Miller played on Calipari’s 2012 national championship team.
“As everybody knows, he’s done a lot for me, and I wish he would have ended on better terms (at Kentucky),” Miller said. “I think if he had to go, I think this is the next best thing (as UK’s coach).
“A former player (Pope) who understands the expectations, understands the University of Kentucky, understands how big the program is to everybody in the city and the state. So I love it. I love what he’s brought to the university so far.”
3 Responses
Great & real comments by the last native Kentuckian to be a key player on a National Championship UK team.
Mad Scientist using his genius mind to implement his vision.
Just an awesome description of Coach Pope. He is starting at UK during a time when turmoil (NIL, Transfer-mania) prevails because of decades of NCAA being useless, crooked & bias.
One of my all time favorite Kentucky players. He came here on a mission and accomplished that mission. It wasn't all talk it was all business. Everyone also wrote him off as a NBA player and he also accomplished that. Great guy very intelligent well spoken.
Nice summary of one often all-time favorites j he’s from Mason County to add to being special
KY HS State Champ
KY HS Mr Basketball
UK National Champ in 2012
And…:
MVP NCAA Regional in 2012
Excellent Point, Terry, about his pro career and he started some NBA games. Then went overseas and excelled.
Interesting side note just for you, Terry. When Miller led UK to State Title, he was a humble man and thankful to be blessed. I was asked to share the top spot with Darius in a Parade celebrating the State Champs because of something unrelated but extremely high profile (including special meeting with the governor, several cabinet heads such as Sec of Transportation, but declined the offer because those players deserved the undivided attention & cheers for their unique awesome Title!
I met Darius & saw him at times in restaurants, etc, but respected his time & space with only 1 time spending a few minutes to tell him how much he meant to Mason County, UK & the state of KY.
Chris Lofton would have been the same kind of dedicated, solid, serious, goal oriented, UK 1st type of player if Tubby had not blocked him from UK instead of opening a little path from UK’s back yard. Lofton battled cancer (his senior year -? – not sure) at TN. I credit the TN coach for his wisdom in letting Lofton play to his strengths!