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The roster has changed, but the expectations remain the same at Kentucky.
He knew what was expected as a player, especially during the Wildcats’ national championship run in 1996.
“(Rick Pitino) was different,’ Pope said during a press conference Monday. “He just told us if we didn’t win every game, he was going to kill us.
“I never knew exactly what that meant, if it was just going to be figuratively in practice or actually kill us. It was probably some grouping of both.”
Entering his second season as coach at Kentucky, Pope knows the assignment and remains committed to the high standard that’s expected at Kentucky. The Wildcats finished 24-12 a year ago and reached the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament.
“The expectation was exactly the same (in 1996),” Pope said. “The expectation here has nothing to do with me setting it. It’s what it is at Kentucky. It’s one of the things that sets us apart from every other program in the country.
“I happen to love it. I love every bit of it. I’m grateful to be here, where only one ending to the season makes it a satisfying season. That’s where I want to be and that’s where our guys want to be.”
So far, Pope believes his second team at Kentucky has what it takes to be successful.
“I think we have some space to find some great pace with this team for a lot of reasons,” Pope said. “I think we have some personnel who have motors. I think we have some depth that we can really rely on. We have a versatile group of bigs who can attack the game in several different ways.”
He added the team has the chance to feature a “dynamic backcourt” and become a better team on the defensive end of the floor.
“I thought this team had a chance to grow into a great defensive team,” Pope said. “We have a long way to go, but I think we can get there. I think we have a chance to have a dynamic backcourt. I have high hopes for this group. I think we have a chance.”
Pope also wants to make sure the Wildcats are on task and living up to the standard.
“One of our key ideas this year is living to a standard every single possession,” he said. “We’re going to blow up practice a lot more.”
One Response
Expectations are high at Kentucky, but not without reason. Last year was derailed by all of the injuries, but still had a respectable finish. This year, if Pope can get Jelavic cleared to play and Quaintance ready to play…nobody will want to play this team! Just do me a favor…beat Lousyville again and beat Arkansas! It will be interesting to see how Florida utilizes their 7'9" center and how we try to stop him. Boogie Fland is a ball hog and that will hurt Florida just as it did Arkansas. The Gators will be our toughest competition in the SEC. I don't see anyone else in the SEC coming close. Let's dominate the SEC/ACC challenge again and get 2 teams in the NCAA championship game and bring home No. 9!