March 11, 2025 • 58 mins
Hosted by the Voice of the Wildcats, Tom Leach. Coach Pope will take questions via X (@UKSportsNetwork) or Facebook.Watch the livestream on UKSN All Access.The show is broadcast in Lexington on 630 WLAP, online at UKathletics.com, on UK Sports Network affiliates,Fans can also download the show as a podcast through iTunes, Spotify and iHeart by searching “UK Sports Network Radio.” Additionally, you can locate the podcast at UKAthletics.com/audio.Show is live from 6-7pm ET.
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Speaker 1 (00:32):
From the UK s Sports Network. This is the UK
Healthcare Mark Pope Show.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
To talk to Coach.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
Pope called the Clark's Pumping Shop phone line at eight
five nine two eight zero Cats that's eight five nine
two eight zero two two eight seven or state wide
at one eight hundred six oh six game that's one
eight hundred and six oh six four two sixty three cats.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
Got's gout?
Speaker 1 (01:00):
Or you can tweet questions too at UK's Sports Network.
Fort Kentucky, the UK Healthcare Mark Pope Show begins now
alongside the coach, here's the voice Sun the Cats, Tom Leach.
Speaker 5 (01:17):
Good evening, everybody, and welcome into our show. It is
tournament time. Southeastern Conference Tournament gets going on Wednesday. Kentucky
will play on Thursday night as the number six seed
at either nine thirty or tennish on Eastern Time on
Thursday night against the winner of Wednesday night's late game
(01:40):
between Oklahoma and Georgia. We will talk with Coach Pope
at that big win at Missouri and more when we
come back, and then we'll get to your questions on
the Clark's Pumping Shop phone line or you can send
them in via social media at.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
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This is the UK Healthcare Mark Pope Show on the
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The Mark Pope Show is brought to you by Coca Cola,
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Speaker 5 (05:08):
Welcome back into the show, and when we finish up here,
make sure you stick around for Clark's Pump and Shop
BB and Radio with Darren Headrick. You'll have Cameron Mills alongside,
and then get set for Clark's Pumping Shop BB and
Radio after we finish, and then tonight after that it
will be followed by the first edition of the Nick
(05:28):
Mengeone Show as the UK baseball team gets ready to
start conference play at Georgia on Saturday or on Friday evening.
All right, we are joined by coach Mark Pope. And
that was pretty fun on the Saturday out of Missouri.
You guys played well.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
Uh it was. It was Actually it was a great man,
what a great environment, What a great game. Uh you know,
what a terrific team that we competed against. Uh in
a really emotional jam, you know, on their senior night. Uh,
it was, it was. It was a pretty spell way
to finish the season.
Speaker 5 (06:01):
We talked a little bit about this on the postgame show,
but the defense has come a long way in a
relatively short amount of time and that was showcased in
the first half of that game Saturday.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
Yeah, I thought our guys had a terrific focus on
the defensive end, especially in the first half. You know,
we were making a continual progress. We jumped up to
fifty five and the country defensively, which is not perfect,
but it's a lot better than one hundred and twelve
that we were five weeks ago. We had been in
(06:35):
the top twenty defensive performances. Over the last eight games,
we dropped to twenty four, but we're still trending the
right way and we're super proud of that, and it's
going to be massively important. We're in the postseason now.
You got a guard and we had a really good experience.
We talked about it after the game, but you know,
the first eight minutes, you know, our offense was a
little disjointed. We couldn't quite find a rhythm, and our
(06:59):
guys took a lot of pride in the fact that
defensively we kept ourselves in a good spot even though
the offense wasn't functioning well. It gives you a lot
of confidence. It's an incredible confidence building when you're when
you feel like you know what we're gonna be fine.
We can go get we can go stack two or
three or four or five, stops in a row, and
the guy certainly did that.
Speaker 5 (07:15):
What was the key to finding that rhythm offensively, especially
with some of your key guys on the bench without trouble.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Well, i'll tell you. Part of it was the young
guys came in and and just their ball movement was terrific.
And part of that was of absolute necessity. You know,
they were kind of desperate to to to just uh,
you know, get some ball movement. And part of it
was our guys just kind of, uh, we're we're more
consistently winning catches, more consistently setting up ball screens, more
(07:42):
consistently setting up cuts, and and we we found some
ways to get paced in the game. And and and
Kobe Brant made some shots and that always helps. So
those were all big keys to the first half kind
of finding a rhythm.
Speaker 5 (07:52):
How about the shot Chance Channeler made right before halftime
and then two more buckets in the second half. But
he has in this last week looks so much different
on the offensive end.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
Yeah, he's you know, it's it's we talked about this.
In fact, we talked about it, what was it a
month ago, three weeks ago? We you know, I talked
about the ridiculous. Uh, you know, you know, talking about
his roots growing and made an analogy that was somewhat relevant.
But that's how this goes, you know, for guys to
do this right, they they are there there, their games
(08:27):
are growing so much, uh, in real time every single day,
but you only see the fruits the results kind of
in fits and starts. And she certainly has made a
big jump. And his confidence has grown, his comfort level,
his confident has never been in question. His his comfort
level on the floor. Having a real sense of like
what he can do, how he can do it, how
it fits into what we do, is really grown. And uh,
(08:49):
it's it's been it's been fun to watch all three
of these young guys grow.
Speaker 5 (08:52):
So what happens for your your your staff, your guys
because you don't yet know who you play, but you're
going to be practicing.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
Yeah, so it's a it's actually it's actually busier than ever.
So it's like we're doing three scouts. We're doing a
pretty intensive self scout right now, we're doing and we're
doing a scout on both Oklahoma and Georgia, and so
it's it's like three times to work. Luckily, we have
we have a couple extra days to fill it in,
and and and it's it's fun. This is the best
(09:19):
time of year. It's uh, it just is it's when
magic things happen, and and so we're really excited to
kind of get started. Speaking of the best time of
the year.
Speaker 5 (09:29):
I think it was at your news conference before the
Missouri game you talked a little bit about that that
you and your staff you're looking at some of the
projections in the brackets, just like fans are. That you
get excited about this time of year beyond what you
get excited for your team and what they're about to do.
Speaker 2 (09:46):
Yeah, I think you know it's the same way as
a player. I love this game. I love college basketball,
and and you know what it's issuing. Uh and and
we still don't get much time. I probably couldn't actually
right up the whole SEC bracket correctly right now. So
I'm not paying that much attention. We're solis are focused
(10:08):
on just our situation. But it is this, there is
this little kind of where you start to take in
what's happening around the country. Right Who's who's you know,
who's on the bubble, who's in the tournament? You know,
what's happening with the low major and the mid major
conference championships that are going on right now, and and
following guys that I've coached with or programs that I'm
(10:28):
familiar with, and just kind of checking in on everybody. Uh,
you know, I had a chance today to reach out
to you know, this this this uh exhausted eligibility night
that we had, it just it just made me reminisce
back on on my first year seniors at Utah Valley
who are really really special to me. Uh. You know,
(10:51):
those guys came in and I think we won eleven
or twelve games that year. We were pretty sure We're
only gonna win one. And those guys are so special
to me. And then I got to reach out to
each of them over the last few days, and then
and then and then my first senior class at BYU,
which is a really really special story with those guys,
and and got to reach out to each of those
(11:11):
guys just tell them how greatful I am and thank
flying form. And these are special times that you mark
your life by, right and and so this is uh,
you know, in all the mayhem and and the work
and the fatigue and the excitement is also a chance
to to reconnect on some of the special moments we've had.
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Our SEC tournament coverage here on the UK Sports Network
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(15:16):
get to the Clark's pumping shop phone line, and we'll
start in Breckinridge County with Mark. You're on with Mark.
Speaker 2 (15:26):
Hey, Kay in doing wonderful, Mark, How can you hear me?
Speaker 19 (15:31):
Yes, sir, I'm doing great.
Speaker 2 (15:33):
Hey.
Speaker 19 (15:34):
Just kind of a couple of quick comments and question.
I love the whole philosophy positive reinforcement. I really love
the fact that all the players seem to be playing
for the brothers and they get so much enjoyment out
of the success of their teammates. And one question I
had for you being as careful as you can. I
(15:55):
really love the approach of controlling what you can control
and not worrying about officiating. But after you've been through
the regular season, do you ever feel like sometimes the
squeaky wheel gets the grease?
Speaker 20 (16:07):
Now hang out, listen, Thank you Mark.
Speaker 2 (16:11):
Hey Mark. I don't know if you know this, but
your your name. I know this because it's my name. Uh,
your name. The etymology of your name is Warrior, which
I think is super cool. It's like a take on
the Roman god Mars, which I think is is the
god of war. Anyway, I don't know exactly how that
(16:31):
relates to yellow the referees, but maybe it does. In
there somewhere I'll tell you this. So it's interesting because
we have a lot of conversations or and I'll be
I'll be really honest. Uh. Early on in our sec run,
I started to feel distinctly and talked to the arbor
of the referees and and and several referees about it
(16:52):
that it was unfortunate that it really did appear like
if you had a tantrum every two seconds, that you
kind of earned the attention of the referees and they
would actually respond. That's how I felt. And so because
my my m O coming in, which had been really
good for us, was just I'm gonna pay zero attention
(17:14):
to the referees. We're just not going to pay attention.
It just it's going to be what it is. And
like everything in life, you just kind of things evolve
a little bit. And so I do think that it
helps to helps to make the referees aware of what's
happening on the floor. I also think it can be
really productive to do it in a constructive way. Sometimes
(17:35):
a whisper is way more effective and way more moving
than a tantrum, And it's just kind of picking and choosing.
I will say this as a foundation. You know, Refereeing
is one of the hardest jobs in the world to
get right. It's really hard to do it right. And
I think our referees are probably as good as any
(17:57):
referees there are. I think they're they're good people. I
think they they're really genuinely as much as we think
they're trying to. You know, they got an actor guy
in with Kentucky or somebody else. I don't think that's
generally true. I think it's just a hard job. But
I do think that we're all human beings, and and
and and certainly they're going to be reactive to all
kinds of different things. And what I'd like to do
(18:19):
is I like to work with these referees and make
this product great and help Kentucky win and so in
all of that, somewhere sometimes there's appropriate to lose your mind,
which which I've done a few times this year, and
some with good effect and some with negative effect, and
and and and and most of the time it's really
good to be super constructive. And just like I'm getting
to know the referees in this league, they're getting to
(18:40):
know me also, and they're getting to know our team,
and and so I think it's going to bode well
for us in the future that we have a great
working relationship. It does not have to be adversarial. It
really doesn't, because these are good people trying their hardest
to do a good job. And there's been you know,
there's been an awful lot of good whistle that we've
got this this year too. So that it's a long answer.
It's not an exact answer because it's not exact science.
(19:03):
It's human beings and we are anything but exact sciences.
So but it's a really important dynamic of the game
that we're we're learning get better at every single day.
Thank you, Mark.
Speaker 5 (19:12):
One more question from the Clark's Pumping Shop phone line
before our next break. It comes from Cody and Lexington.
Speaker 2 (19:17):
Hey Cody, Nick, how watch how you doing good? Cody?
Speaker 16 (19:24):
Yeah, I had a couple of questions for you.
Speaker 21 (19:26):
One was about Kirk chrisa as he.
Speaker 19 (19:28):
Talked to you about coming back and using that extra
year next year.
Speaker 22 (19:34):
And the second question is.
Speaker 1 (19:36):
What's up with the black uniforms?
Speaker 2 (19:38):
Man? We are going to wear them? It's great? Okay,
two great questions. So Kirk Chris is right now, just
laser focus on trying to get healthy. I think, you know,
three days ago. It was actually we were at Missouri
the night before the game, and and Kerk you know,
(19:59):
you you know, you catch all of our guys in
all different emotional states, and he was seemed particularly quiet.
So I grabbed. When we just talked for a second,
He's just like, ah, man, it's just setting in and
I'm not I'm not gonna be able to play this
year at all. And he was pretty down about that.
But he is making progress, and so now it's just
a matter of rushing. You know, he's gonna feel better
(20:20):
as he gets closer and closer to being able to play,
because playing makes you feel healthy. It just makes you
feel good. And so he'll be all work in progress,
but he's gonna regain full health. And and what was
the second question about black uniforms. Oh, the black uniforms. Yes,
I don't know if the black uniforms are gonna are
gonna make their way into the rotation here in the postseason,
(20:44):
but I agree they're fire.
Speaker 5 (20:46):
There you go, Cody, we're gonna get to a break.
We'll come right back as we head to the break.
Watch bb in tonight presented about UK healthcare every weeknight
at seven thirty Eastern here on wl X and Lexington.
You can also watch archived shows at BBN Tonight dot com.
This is the UK Sports Network.
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Go Cats.
Speaker 5 (23:15):
Subscribe to the Behind Kentucky Basketball podcast. It's presented by
UK Federal Credit Union. It's available for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify,
iHeartRadio and the official UK Athletics app. It's the UK
Healthcare Mark Pope Show and we're taking your calls on
the Clark's Pumping Shop phone line. Matt in Hazard, You're
next up with Coach Pope.
Speaker 2 (23:35):
How you doing, Matt real good.
Speaker 22 (23:38):
First of all, thanks to Tom for seeing the game
and Goo's for some of us. We appreciate it. Now
number two, Coach, you and some of the team were
in offices at ninety six championship now everywhere else of
everybody else was upfront eating those cucumber sandwichs and drinking,
(24:02):
and you were in one of our processing departments fixing
a laser printer and by the way, you didn't get
a fixed. So when I heard you were coming back
to Kentucky, I knew that we were going to have
a man who, when he saw a problem, worked on it,
and he did it without attitude. So you just keep
being Mark Pope and everything's going to work out.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
Man.
Speaker 5 (24:24):
How's that printer doing?
Speaker 22 (24:27):
Oh well, I retired seven years ago, so we changed
a few since then, but it worked for a long
time after that.
Speaker 2 (24:37):
Yeah, hey, Matt, you're in hazard.
Speaker 22 (24:41):
Yes, that's correct.
Speaker 2 (24:41):
Is how are you doing? Man? Post post this flood?
How's everything going for you?
Speaker 22 (24:47):
Well, we have to recover. I mean, you don't give up.
There's some businesses. Forty businesses on Main Street were damaged,
and I was down there last night seeing and and
three of them still not open back up. Some other
people you can see him working inside. Now, I'll live
(25:08):
on infime of the river and it got in my
neighbor's yard but didn't cross the street. In the man,
but this was the highest flood we had since nineteen
eighty four, and so it was was actually in some
parts of the county worse the twenty two flood. But
it's real strange. But anyway, thank you for asking. You
(25:31):
all take care and I keep listening and I'll keep
screaming with the radio.
Speaker 2 (25:36):
Hey Matt, I'm gonna tell you, I'm gonna ruin the
show right now. I tell you a story, one of
my favorite stories. I'm so thanks for sharing that because
I don't remember that at all, but it makes me
so happy. One of one of my one of the
guys I really look up to in life is Scott O'Neill.
He was the president of Madison Square Garden and he
was the CEO of hbs C all the Philadelphia sports teams,
(25:59):
and is now currently a CEO of a company overseas.
But he got his start he was in New Jersey
actually working for the Nets, I believe, and he was
just there doing like busy work as an intern. And
he was there on a Saturday morning. He was living.
He tells the story, he's like living with seven guys
(26:19):
in a one bedroom studio apartment in Jersey and just
trying to stay alive. It was a Saturday mid morning
and he was the only person in the office and
the printer was broken. So he was on his hands
and knees behind it trying to rewire it, trying to
fix it, and in walks the vice president of operations
(26:41):
and and and was like, who are you and what
are you doing to our printer? And so Scott just explained,
he just explained that he was he was he was
just it was broken, and so he was trying to
fix it and staid he was an intern, he was
doing this and that and whatever. And they had a
minute conversation and this this, this VP walked him over
(27:06):
asked him what you want to do. He's like, well,
what I really want to do is I want to sell.
I want to sell. I want to be in sales,
ticket sales, corporate sales. And so the VP walked him
over to an office it said, we have a spot
open for you. He started right there and then that
was the beginning of his career. It's a story I
love to tell all the time because the way Scott tells,
he's just like, you know what, make sure you're there
(27:28):
on a Saturday mid morning doing the job that nobody
else wants to do, and that's the pathway to success.
Super cool. So thanks for sharing that. I love that.
Thank you for sharing that story. A neat story. Thank you.
Speaker 5 (27:39):
Let's get to our Alumni Hall Question of the Week.
It comes from Greg and if you send in a
question it's chosen as our Alumni Hall question of the week,
you could win a twenty five dollars gift card from
our friends at Alumni Hall. Just tag at Alumni Hall
and Greg asks, are there any lessons you take from
your time as a player at tournament time that you
(28:02):
can pass along to your guys.
Speaker 2 (28:05):
Well, I mean, I've told this story a lot and
it does apply. I'll never forget. You know. Coach had
been here for seven years. I think it was year
seven or year eight when we finally won it, and
he had been to a final four at Epic Final four,
and of course had the the Eastern i want to
say Eastern Conference finals, the Elite eight game that we
(28:27):
all remember with Duke, and we finally made it to
a national championship game and our are you know, it
was kind of like people were getting impatient, as you
can imagine, like it's time to win one, and Coach
was un a tremendous amount of pressure and the expectation
of our team was from day one that we were
going to win it, that this was the team that
(28:48):
was going to come win it. And we were one
or two all year long, and so there's all this
build up and all this emotion. It was such an
incredible ride, and we finally beat UMass who at the
time I think was the number one ranked team in
the country. We beat them in the semifinal in a
massive game, just really really important game, and it was
(29:09):
just and they had beat us earlier in this, in fact,
the second game of the season they had beat us,
and so it was all the emotion. You can imagine
that we're finally there. We're in the championship game. Coach
Pi's first ever national championship game and certainly for all
of US players, our first national championship game. And so
Coach is the king of like fiery speeches and emotion
(29:29):
and drama and intensity and I'll never forget. So we
finished the game, we get up the next morning and
I'm thinking, this is time. This is what Coach is
going to bring out the greatest speech ever. You know,
he's gonna get us all riled up, and I'll never forget.
We're sitting there and breakfast, and all of a sudden,
the coach just leans back. He's like, oh, be put
in the film. And that was this whole prep speech
for the thing, and Coach had this beautiful way of
(29:50):
just normalizing the moment. All the prep work had been
done every single game leading up to that game, and
it had become a habit now to treat every game
like it was the biggest game that we would ever play,
and so on this which I think was I think
we end up being I don't know what our record was,
but maybe take this as our thirty fifth or thirty
sixth game of the season. On this the thirty fifth
(30:12):
or thirty sixth game of the season and the last
game of the season, like the prep work had already
been done and and and all the emotion been done,
and the habit had been learned. And so hopefully we're
in a space on our team where we understand that
we're we're we're not gonna have to do a lot
of hoopla and nonsense because we understand that every game
we play is the biggest game we're ever gonna play,
and so it normalizes these now these you know, these
(30:36):
one and done games, like you know, loser out games,
and and so hopefully we're prepared for that. I believe
that our guys are.
Speaker 5 (30:42):
Join Dave Baker and Cameron Mills for our Jack murfhy
Chevrolet count down to tip off coverage of Kentucky against
the winner of Oklahoma and Georgia. It'll be Thursday night coverage.
We'll start at eight Eastern here on the UK Sports Network.
Speaker 3 (30:56):
BBN Game Day, Hure weekly look inside UK Athletics Saurday
at nine am on LAX eighteen and stations across the state.
Check Ukathletics dot com Slash UK Sports Network for stations
and times in your area.
Speaker 17 (31:09):
BBN Game Day Flight by Yingling is the next generation
of light beer for those who don't follow trends but
craft them. Flight by Yingling is twelve ounces of uncompromised
refreshment from America's oldest brewery, with only two point six
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(31:33):
raise the far. Flight by Yingling available wherever beer is
sold DJ Yingling and so unincorporated potswel Pennsylvania.
Speaker 2 (31:39):
Please enjoy responsible.
Speaker 24 (31:41):
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Speaker 12 (32:11):
Fun is in the air with these new scratch off
games from the Kentucky Lottery. With over eighty five million
dollars in total cash prizes, fun is just a scratch away.
These exciting new games include Lucky Meat x'es and o's
and fifty Times the Luck. Five scratch offs Today at
the counter or at one of our convenience fending machines.
(32:31):
Put a little play in your day with these new
scratch offs from the Kentucky Lottery. Play responsibly. Remember it's
just a game.
Speaker 16 (32:40):
Hey, Wildcat fans. Little Caesars, the home of Hot and
Ready Pizza, invites you to try our world famous Crazy
Bread with Crazy Sauce, Caesar Wings, It, Gallian Cheese bread,
and our new cookie Old Browning dessert. At Little Caesar's,
we begin each day with dough made fresh from scratch,
fresh never frozen cheese the tasty is topping. Little Caesars
(33:02):
is also a proud partner of UK Athletics and an
enthusiastic member of Big Blue Nation.
Speaker 1 (33:07):
So Gokat Pizza Pizza.
Speaker 14 (33:10):
This is Coke zero sugar? Could I be the best
coke ever? Try and taste with your ears. Here those bubbles,
imagine them tangling on your top. Busy deliciousness. Listen to
that cascading liquid a mouthwater and waterfall aresistably tasty. Zero Sugar,
(33:31):
Chris refreshing and ice gold is Coke zero sugar the
best coke effort? Try and decide.
Speaker 3 (33:40):
BBN Game Day h your weekly look inside UK Athletics
Saturdays at nine am on l e X eighteen and
stations across the state. Check ukathletics dot com Slash UK
Sports Network for stations and times in your area.
Speaker 4 (33:53):
BBN Game Day.
Speaker 5 (34:05):
Mullowans and Drakes are proud partners of UK Athletics. Visit
their team before or after the game for a winning meal.
Dine in and carry out is available. Otega Oway named
second Team All SEC today by the coaches.
Speaker 2 (34:18):
I know you were happy for him, yeah, I mean,
my goodness, what a season. And you know these postseason
honors are just what they are. But we had a
lot of guys that I mean you think about. Amari
Williams has put together an absolutely historic season and and uh,
you know, the way Kobe Bray is attacking the game
right now is so incredible. And and uh, you know
what Jacks did prior to his injury, and then Lamont
(34:40):
Butler is you know, prior to injury, and and then
now in the comeback trail, we have a bunch of
guys that have played incredible, incredible basketball and all of
them are happy for O for Otaga forgetting this honor.
Speaker 5 (34:51):
All right, let's go back to the Clark's puppet Shop
phone line to Mayfield, Kentucky.
Speaker 2 (34:56):
Kyle, you're on with coach Poe.
Speaker 25 (34:58):
Hello Kyle, Hey, hey coach.
Speaker 2 (35:00):
How's it going, Kyle? How are you? Brother?
Speaker 25 (35:04):
I'm doing really good. I wanted to start start off
by saying is to thank you, and and the only
reasons why is because it's to thank you for bringing
back the spirit of Kentucky basketball. And uh because last year,
you know, or even the last few years, you know,
I kind of I kind of had lost all hope
of Kentucky basketball, which is something I never do. And
(35:28):
and the thing was when I heard you got hired
in as head coach, and I was like, well, this
guy here has been played before and now he's the
head coach. I believe we got something here. So my
question is to you, coach, is that what has what
have you learned this this season so far as head
(35:48):
coach that you can use to to later on ahead
in the next season. You know, what have you learned
so far?
Speaker 2 (35:59):
Kyle? Thank you? First of all, thank you for the
kind words. I will tell you this though, I'm not
sure that I brought back the spirit of Kentucky basketball
because on my first day on the job, I walked
into a rough arena with twenty fourth, twenty two, twenty
thousand people for a press conference, and I didn't have
(36:19):
anything to do with that. That's BBN, man, I'm not sure.
I mean, the heart of Kentucky basketball comes from comes
from this incredible basketball community. It always will, it always has.
It's what makes Kentucky different than everywhere else, and so
I just feel so blessed to be a part of it.
That's the truth. That's actually the truth. That's not a
(36:40):
humble or modes statement. That's actually the truth. All of
us to get to be a part of this program,
it's like nowhere else, and it's because of how much
we all care about this place and how it brings
us all together in terms of the learning of Kyle.
It's hard for me to think of what we haven't learned.
You know, clearly we're getting to know this league, which
(37:03):
is so interesting because there's never been a league in
a season quite like it. It's fun to to, you know,
get to know these venues again, some of which are
very similar to how they were when I was here,
and some of this are very different, really fun to
dig deep into the style of play that's prevalent throughout
(37:25):
the league. As one low hanging fruit example, the vast
majority of teams in this league brutus underneath out of bounds,
which is you know, you see all kind of different
characteristics and all kind of different leagues, and when I
say brutus is just a it's a it's kind of
a switching man to man slash, a little bit of
zone principal scheme where people guard underneath out of bounds.
(37:46):
I've never seen it as prevalent in a league as
it is here. This is a This is a league
where the best teams in this league probably right now,
are carrying four elite level guards that can go get
their own basket whenever they want it and so we're
kind of learning some of those style of play and
some of the some of the talents of the places
(38:08):
in the league, and getting to learn the referees, and
it's just everything is I mean, the day we stop
learning is the day we might as well stop, because
then what's the point. But this is one of the
great adventures. And hopefully every single day will be a student. Kyle,
thank you for that.
Speaker 5 (38:23):
Saturday was particularly challenging as far as inbounding the ball.
I think mostly from the baseline, you guys had to
throw like cross court diagonal passes out to mid.
Speaker 2 (38:32):
Court, and yeah, it was actually working well until I
started drawing up plays and that turned into it disaster.
That happens sometimes. It's you know, I love Dennis Gates,
you know I have let me say that better. I
have so much respect for him, and he's a Florida
State guy, and so Florida State is you know, I
(38:53):
don't know, over the last fifteen twenty years run the
same zone out of bounds and it can cause a
lot of complications, and so we prep for it. But
clearly I didn't prep our guys as well as I
would have liked to, And so they are one of
the teams and they'll also brew to some also, but
they pretty much stayed and we call it deep in
their deep zone, and it was pretty effective against us.
(39:13):
It's coach Leonard Hamilton. For us, it is coach Leonard Hamilton,
one of the legends of the game, who is who
is retiring and we'll certainly miss him. And there's this,
there's this real contingent of of the veteran greats that
I grew up in the game with that are all
kind of over the last couple years retired, and it's
it's a it's it's sad and really exciting times.
Speaker 5 (39:36):
Let's get one more question off the social media feed
at UK Sports Network from Jake says he loves the
increased usage of Oway in the second halves going downhill
to the rim. Says it reminds him of a bruising
running back wearing down the defense in the fourth quarter.
Speaker 2 (39:50):
Yeah, so we we you know, we think about it. Yes.
First of all, Oteg has been actually tremendous all season long,
and his his de defensive effort the last six or
seven games has been ridiculous, and what him and Colin
Chandler did defensively in this game on the road at
Missouri was really special. Man, it was really really special.
(40:12):
Minus a couple of ballscreen miscues, they were elite and
in terms of chasing around thirty one, they did it
probably as good as anybody's done it in in the
country this year. And it was a team effort, and
they kind of saw as the team effort. It was
actually fun to see those two trying to work together.
But yeah, he's Otega is making big plays. Today. We
(40:33):
had a press scrimmage where it was just we were
going press to press, break and then press to press, baking, stop,
start again, and so we're putting in some some you know,
it's kind of become a little bit of a of
a toy in the game right now to run some
football routes to line all four guys up. If it's
(40:55):
a live ball, you can line line up out of bounds.
If it's if it's a dead ball taken, then you
have to line them up inbounds. But actually you start
up having run routes. So you got to out route
a curl route and a deep route, and so Otega
was particularly well adapted earning inbounds catches doing that today,
and they were having a lot of fun with it.
In fact, in fact, one point we put all of
(41:16):
our managers and gas on the court all at the
same time. It was like five on eleven and o'take
it was still covered with cash. Is pretty fun.
Speaker 5 (41:27):
Quick break and we'll be right back on the UK
Healthcare Mark prope show on the UK Sports Network.
Speaker 26 (41:34):
Just like your fingerprint, your heartbeat is unique to you
and that's how your heartcare should be too.
Speaker 2 (41:41):
So.
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Speaker 5 (42:01):
The Big Blue Dream is alive and well and you
can count on the Cats to deliver the best performance possible.
You can also count on Welsh Printing Company, an avid
supporter of UK Athletics, to deliver on all of your
printing and communication needs. Like a well oiled team, Welch
has the personnel and commitment to consistently deliver your projects
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(42:22):
Litho and digital printing for your marketing and communication needs.
Visit our website Welshprinting dot com or call us to
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Speaker 14 (42:32):
This is Coke zero sugar. Could I be the best
coke ever? Try and taste with your ears here those bubbles.
Imagine that tangling on your top. Busy deliciousness. Listen to
that cascading liquid, a mouthwatering waterfall, heresistably tasty. Zero sugar,
(42:53):
Chris refreshing and ice gold. Is Coke zero sugar the
best coke effort. Trying to sign.
Speaker 7 (43:01):
Imagine yourself in a new Toyota like a rugged New
Tacoma now through March thirty.
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First get four point.
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Nine to nine APR financing on a new twenty five
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Call one eight eight.
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Eight thirty six Toyota Fruit details or go to Toyota
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Speaker 5 (43:44):
Cats up four spots to number fifteen in the new
AP poll this week and a five in the coaches
poll to number nineteen. And the University Kentucky is hosting
the Rifle in CAA Championships in historic Memorial Coddiseum, and
then'll be Friday Saturday. So good luck to UK hosting
and to coach Harry Mullins and his team. Let's get
(44:07):
back to the Clark's pumping Shop phone line. Leda in Mayfield,
what do you have for coach Pope?
Speaker 27 (44:14):
Hey, guys, how are you doing?
Speaker 2 (44:17):
Hey?
Speaker 25 (44:17):
Coach?
Speaker 27 (44:17):
I got it. Hey, I got a nostalgia question for you.
Speaker 2 (44:21):
All right.
Speaker 27 (44:22):
I met you in I met you in Paducah, Kentucky,
when you and the other two seniors went around to
the state of Kentucky. I think it was it called
a barnstorming tour or something like correct. Anyway, where you
got to, yes, where you got to meet all of
the fans of Kentucky and other areas. First of all,
wanted to know what you guys thought about that, and
(44:42):
second of all the main question, when do you sleep?
I'll let you have it. Have a great day, guys.
Speaker 2 (44:50):
Thank you, Leda, Thanks for calling in. So happy to
hear from you. So the barstorming, I mean, what an
incredible ex experience that is, and how unique is that
to Kentucky. Uh, I don't know anywhere that there's anything
quite like it. You know, it was a really fun
year because we had just won the national championship and
so we got to travel all over the state of
(45:14):
Kentucky playing against teams from the community, and it was
it was so fantastic. I have so many amazing memories,
one from traveling around with the guys, and and two
meeting so many great people. But it's just I mean,
it's one of a thousand things that makes Kentucky different
than every everywhere else, and so I'm super grateful that
I got to have that experience. And there was another part.
(45:37):
Help me remember Oh gosh, I didn't write that, miss Leada.
I can't remember the second part of the question. Do
you sleep? Oh? You know what? I would have remembered
the second part of that question if I slept more.
I'll tell you what. So after practice today we got
a new some type of some type of apparatus. Our
performance team got in this this zero gravity much shag chair.
(46:01):
That's the late term, but it's like uh, there's some
type of infrared lasers and and uh and high frequency
modulation that's going on, and so I uh, Randy Town
or our strength coach wanted me to try it out.
So he put me on a five minute program and
I think I last for about thirty six. So I
got a go four and a half a minute nap
and there I killed it. It was awesome.
Speaker 5 (46:23):
Producer Billy with the assists there, thank you. On the
second part of the Lada's question, let's go to Russell Springs, Kentucky. Garrett,
you're up with Coach Pope on the Clark's Pumping Shop
phone line.
Speaker 28 (46:37):
Hey, coach, just Garrett. We call it a couple of
ways ago and you wish my boy like and happy birthday,
and he's got a question for you.
Speaker 2 (46:45):
Let's go.
Speaker 25 (46:49):
Hello mo he.
Speaker 2 (46:53):
Ca you hear me, Yes, sir, I'm clear that they
said that one.
Speaker 28 (46:59):
More happy birthday, keuple weeks ago, Likings and he's got
a question for you that I asked.
Speaker 2 (47:05):
Okay, what's your question?
Speaker 9 (47:11):
Do more defense than bands during carnment flight or for
court press?
Speaker 2 (47:19):
Thank you? Liking Lincoln, you're about to be a coach,
huh Lican, are you still there. Let me ask you,
would you prefer for us to do some more zone
defense and some more full court press in the in
the postseason? Yes, you know, LIKECN, if you make that
call and we uh and the other team goes on
(47:40):
a nine to ozer run because they're banging three straight things,
BBN is coming for you. You know that, right. It's a
lot of pressure. Okay, thank you. Yeah, hey, Lincoln, it's
so nice side too.
Speaker 9 (48:00):
You know.
Speaker 2 (48:01):
One of the things that's fun about postseason as we
get the chance to to try and manipulate the game,
just as short spurts. And we just saw, actually we
just played against the team that does that very very
well in Missouri. So Missouri during the course of the
game will play a run and jump mand and man
full court press, a straight manda man folc coal press,
(48:22):
a one two one one three quarter almost full court
trapping game. They'll play a one to three to one
three quarter court zone. They can fall back into a
two to three zone with the wings pushed really high,
and so they use that to their advantage to try
and be really disruptive of the game, and they have
(48:44):
had success in moments doing that. In some moments it
hurts them one of the you know, just philosophically. The
opposite side of that would be like a Tony Bennett,
who's one of the great coaches, is recently retired, but
one of the great coaches over the last two decades
college basketball, and Tony Bennett was the flip side. Tony
Bennett was going to guard exactly the same every single
(49:06):
possession all year long. And there's the give and take.
One is you become so expert at guarding the way
you guard that you might do it better than anybody
else is trying to attack you. But it's very predictable
that people know what the game plan for and know
what to study, So there's going to be For us,
there'll be a little mixed sure. Hopefully we can choose
the right times to go zone, the right times depressed,
(49:27):
the right times to blitz a ball screen, and if
we can, they'll be really effective. And that's what we're counting.
Speaker 5 (49:33):
Watch bb AND Game Day presented by Republic Bank all
season long and air Saturday mornings at nine on WLX
here at Lexington. Check Ukathletics dot com, Slash UK Sports
Network for TV affiliates and times in your area. If
you're outside the state, you can watch it uk athletics
dot com, slash videos or on the Kentucky Wildcats Facebook page.
Send in a question to at UK Sports Network on
(49:54):
x or calls on the Clark's Pumping Shop phone line
two eight zero Cats inside Lexington one eight hundred six
six four two sixty three elsewhere. We'll be right back
with our final segment of the UK Healthcare Mark Pope
Show on the UK Sports Network.
Speaker 10 (50:07):
What keeps you going?
Speaker 24 (50:09):
Your love for the game, your teammates of victory. At
arch Orthopedics, our goal is to keep you paying free
so your body can keep going. There's no time for
discomfort in your joints or ligaments caused by an injury.
Ar Eachorthopedic providers specialize in treatment plans from nonsurgical and
surgical options, so your care is entirely centered around you.
(50:30):
Visit ARH dot org slash ORTHO define an orthopedic provider
near you. ARH more for Appalachia.
Speaker 21 (50:36):
You've heard the term buy local, how about play local?
When you play Keno and other games from the Kentucky Lottery,
your dollars are going directly to fund scholarships and grants
for Kentucky students.
Speaker 29 (50:47):
Play Keno anywhere Kentucky lottery is sold, convenience stores, bars,
on your laptop or on your mobile device. Visit kylottery
dot com to play Keno online, or go to your
favorite Kentucky lottery retail.
Speaker 21 (51:00):
Please play local, have fun, and help Kentucky students too.
Play responsibly. Remember it's just a game.
Speaker 14 (51:08):
This is coke zero Sugar? Could I be the best
coke ever? Try and taste with your ears. Hear those bubbles,
Imagine them tingling on your.
Speaker 10 (51:19):
Top, busy deliciousness.
Speaker 14 (51:22):
Listen to that cascading liquid, a mouthwatering waterfall asistably tasty
zero Sugar, Chris refreshing and ice gold.
Speaker 10 (51:34):
Is Coke zero Sugar the best coke ever? Try and decide.
Speaker 30 (51:38):
I used to wrestle in college and at the senior level.
Noisy gems, hits to the head and other loud hobbies
really took a toll on my hearing. The ring in
my ears got so bad that I had trouble talking
on the phone and watching TV.
Speaker 2 (51:51):
That's when I.
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Found Bluegrass Hearing Clinton. Doctor Heath was able to assess
my hearing needs, and after having the hearing aids in
I was able to better control my tenatis. I can
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As I was.
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Visit Bluegrassharing dot com, where better herring begins.
Speaker 16 (52:08):
Hey, wildcat Fare. Little Caesars, the home of Hot and
Ready Pizza, invites you to try our world famous Crazy
Bread with Crazy Sauce, Caesar Wings, Italian Cheese bread, and
our new cookie old Browning dessert a Little Caesar's. We
begin each day with dove made fresh from scrash, fresh
never frozen cheese and the tastiest topping. Little Caesar's is
(52:30):
also a proud partner of UK Athletics and an enthusiastic member.
Speaker 25 (52:34):
Of Big Blue Nation.
Speaker 6 (52:35):
So go Cat Pizza Pizza.
Speaker 18 (52:40):
Whoa whoa, whoa, whoa whoo who before you use that backup?
Where's the gas line? And where's your wallet? Because you
hit a gas line and it's going to costume, not
to mention that it's also very dangerous. Okay, Now, where's
your phone? Good call eight one one before you dig.
One call and you'll know where to dig every time.
(53:01):
It's to call eight one one, No problems, no accident,
no fines.
Speaker 2 (53:05):
Oh and uh it's the law.
Speaker 9 (53:18):
Well.
Speaker 5 (53:18):
Complete coverage of the cats like at you or like
UK Sports Network on Facebook or follow us on Instagram.
It's at UK Underscore Sports Network or follow an x
at UK sports Network and you can send in questions
via at UK Sports Network. And you can also call
us on the Clark's Pumping Shop phone line. And we
(53:39):
have a slot open here so if you want to
jump on board, we're getting as much as we can.
In this final segment, let's go to uh, John Short,
John Short, what do you have for coach Pope?
Speaker 20 (53:52):
We're gonna win the this is term win the women's
and men's basketball. We're going bestball, do believe, and also
we go we canna do the Platuna system like clach
Champ fifteen season. Also like him, covell the Tennessee Live
there is in every two three minutes.
Speaker 5 (54:13):
All right, thank you, John is mister optimistic For John,
I love man call over all.
Speaker 2 (54:18):
I need you talking to me in my sleep. Please.
I love everything about what you just said. We're going
to win. That's that's why we're going down there, and
and that doesn't guarantee us to win, but we're very
clear and objective and we understand how important this is
and what it means to to BBN and and what
it means to our guys. So we're gonna go chase
it as hard as we can. That's gonna be a
(54:40):
challenge from the get go. This league is so fantastic,
but why would you want anything less? And I don't
think we'll go platoon system right now as we've learned
this new group. So this is gonna be the on
on Thursday, and I'll be the fourth straight game where
we've had the same I said, healthy roster, which I'm
(55:02):
is making our life so good right now. And so
but what we found is that it's it's personnel packages.
Putting the right guys together with the right other guys
as much as we can as important, and and kind
of moving guys into the game where they're not shouldering
the whole responsibility. For example, some guys we like to
(55:24):
move into the game at the two where they don't
have to dominate the ball, and then slide them to
the one for a few minutes rather than throw them
in right at the one. Like that would be just
one of many, many examples of how we're trying to
massage the roster a little bit and where we're seeing
the best return. But so no platoon system for us,
but I do like how clean that is. I do
(55:44):
think there's a space for that if you have the
right ten guys, for sure, but.
Speaker 5 (55:48):
You're using analytics that give you a lot of insight
I guess into some of those combinations of guys, right.
Speaker 2 (55:53):
Yeah, definitely definitely the numbers in the turn to playing role.
And it's limited, I mean because you have you know,
sometimes you have a line of that has been together
for seven minutes over the last five games and it
might be off the charts returns. But there's so many
other things to take into account. So it's definitely a
piece for sure.
Speaker 5 (56:10):
If you have a quick question, we can take it
at UK Sports Network. You know what this is gonna
be like at the SEC tournament? Your day was in Atlanta,
now Nashville's Catalanta permanent home, and I mean to have
finished the way you guys did. What's it going to
mean to your guys when they roll out there. You
know what it's going to be like when they go
(56:31):
on the court there Thursday night against whom ever. But
what are they gonna feel like? Okay, so I'm so
embarrassed right now. I know, Catlanta, what is that?
Speaker 2 (56:37):
What is that? What is that our nickname for Nashville.
I don't know that we really have one. So that's
open BB Nashville, Oh, Catville, BBN. I'm calling out to you, man,
can anybody come with Some of those are good? I
like BB Nashville nash Vegas. I like it. Uh, but
(57:01):
can we we like Cattlanta is like per perfect. Yes,
that's like playing that repperendo the cathedral. You know, it's
just beautiful. I love everything about it. You know what,
maybe if we come up with exactly the right name
for Nashville, we'd go get a win. So we have, guys,
right now, it's Monday, we got three days. I'm calling
on BBN. I need the exact right, beautiful like Heaven
(57:25):
sent Kentucky ownership name for Nashville.
Speaker 5 (57:28):
Good luck down there, Thank you, brother UK alumni said,
Kid's gonna have a pregame pep rally starting at three Central.
It's at the Assembly food Hall. It's in the downtown area,
up on the third floor. Goose and I will both
be there signing books as well. So come by and
see us three Eastern on Thursday. This is the UK
Sports Network.
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This say has been the UK Healthcare Mark Top Show
on the UK Sports Network.
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The Mark Top Show what's.
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From the UK s Sports Network. This is the UK
Healthcare Mark Pope Show.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
To talk to Coach.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
Pope called the Clark's Pumping Shop phone line at eight
five nine two eight zero Cats that's eight five nine
two eight zero two two eight seven or state wide
at one eight hundred six oh six game that's one
eight hundred and six oh six four two sixty three cats.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
Got's gout?
Speaker 1 (01:00):
Or you can tweet questions too at UK's Sports Network.
Fort Kentucky, the UK Healthcare Mark Pope Show begins now
alongside the coach, here's the voice Sun the Cats, Tom Leach.
Speaker 5 (01:17):
Good evening, everybody, and welcome into our show. It is
tournament time. Southeastern Conference Tournament gets going on Wednesday. Kentucky
will play on Thursday night as the number six seed
at either nine thirty or tennish on Eastern Time on
Thursday night against the winner of Wednesday night's late game
(01:40):
between Oklahoma and Georgia. We will talk with Coach Pope
at that big win at Missouri and more when we
come back, and then we'll get to your questions on
the Clark's Pumping Shop phone line or you can send
them in via social media at.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
UK Sports Network.
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You're listening to the.
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UK Healthcare Mark Pope Show on the UK Sports Network.
The Mark Pope Show is brought to you by Coca Cola,
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Fight every single day, for every single one.
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Speaker 5 (05:08):
Welcome back into the show, and when we finish up here,
make sure you stick around for Clark's Pump and Shop
BB and Radio with Darren Headrick. You'll have Cameron Mills alongside,
and then get set for Clark's Pumping Shop BB and
Radio after we finish, and then tonight after that it
will be followed by the first edition of the Nick
(05:28):
Mengeone Show as the UK baseball team gets ready to
start conference play at Georgia on Saturday or on Friday evening.
All right, we are joined by coach Mark Pope. And
that was pretty fun on the Saturday out of Missouri.
You guys played well.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
Uh it was. It was Actually it was a great man,
what a great environment, What a great game. Uh you know,
what a terrific team that we competed against. Uh in
a really emotional jam, you know, on their senior night. Uh,
it was, it was. It was a pretty spell way
to finish the season.
Speaker 5 (06:01):
We talked a little bit about this on the postgame show,
but the defense has come a long way in a
relatively short amount of time and that was showcased in
the first half of that game Saturday.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
Yeah, I thought our guys had a terrific focus on
the defensive end, especially in the first half. You know,
we were making a continual progress. We jumped up to
fifty five and the country defensively, which is not perfect,
but it's a lot better than one hundred and twelve
that we were five weeks ago. We had been in
(06:35):
the top twenty defensive performances. Over the last eight games,
we dropped to twenty four, but we're still trending the
right way and we're super proud of that, and it's
going to be massively important. We're in the postseason now.
You got a guard and we had a really good experience.
We talked about it after the game, but you know,
the first eight minutes, you know, our offense was a
little disjointed. We couldn't quite find a rhythm, and our
(06:59):
guys took a lot of pride in the fact that
defensively we kept ourselves in a good spot even though
the offense wasn't functioning well. It gives you a lot
of confidence. It's an incredible confidence building when you're when
you feel like you know what we're gonna be fine.
We can go get we can go stack two or
three or four or five, stops in a row, and
the guy certainly did that.
Speaker 5 (07:15):
What was the key to finding that rhythm offensively, especially
with some of your key guys on the bench without trouble.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Well, i'll tell you. Part of it was the young
guys came in and and just their ball movement was terrific.
And part of that was of absolute necessity. You know,
they were kind of desperate to to to just uh,
you know, get some ball movement. And part of it
was our guys just kind of, uh, we're we're more
consistently winning catches, more consistently setting up ball screens, more
(07:42):
consistently setting up cuts, and and we we found some
ways to get paced in the game. And and and
Kobe Brant made some shots and that always helps. So
those were all big keys to the first half kind
of finding a rhythm.
Speaker 5 (07:52):
How about the shot Chance Channeler made right before halftime
and then two more buckets in the second half. But
he has in this last week looks so much different
on the offensive end.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
Yeah, he's you know, it's it's we talked about this.
In fact, we talked about it, what was it a
month ago, three weeks ago? We you know, I talked
about the ridiculous. Uh, you know, you know, talking about
his roots growing and made an analogy that was somewhat relevant.
But that's how this goes, you know, for guys to
do this right, they they are there there, their games
(08:27):
are growing so much, uh, in real time every single day,
but you only see the fruits the results kind of
in fits and starts. And she certainly has made a
big jump. And his confidence has grown, his comfort level,
his confident has never been in question. His his comfort
level on the floor. Having a real sense of like
what he can do, how he can do it, how
it fits into what we do, is really grown. And uh,
(08:49):
it's it's been it's been fun to watch all three
of these young guys grow.
Speaker 5 (08:52):
So what happens for your your your staff, your guys
because you don't yet know who you play, but you're
going to be practicing.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
Yeah, so it's a it's actually it's actually busier than ever.
So it's like we're doing three scouts. We're doing a
pretty intensive self scout right now, we're doing and we're
doing a scout on both Oklahoma and Georgia, and so
it's it's like three times to work. Luckily, we have
we have a couple extra days to fill it in,
and and and it's it's fun. This is the best
(09:19):
time of year. It's uh, it just is it's when
magic things happen, and and so we're really excited to
kind of get started. Speaking of the best time of
the year.
Speaker 5 (09:29):
I think it was at your news conference before the
Missouri game you talked a little bit about that that
you and your staff you're looking at some of the
projections in the brackets, just like fans are. That you
get excited about this time of year beyond what you
get excited for your team and what they're about to do.
Speaker 2 (09:46):
Yeah, I think you know it's the same way as
a player. I love this game. I love college basketball,
and and you know what it's issuing. Uh and and
we still don't get much time. I probably couldn't actually
right up the whole SEC bracket correctly right now. So
I'm not paying that much attention. We're solis are focused
(10:08):
on just our situation. But it is this, there is
this little kind of where you start to take in
what's happening around the country. Right Who's who's you know,
who's on the bubble, who's in the tournament? You know,
what's happening with the low major and the mid major
conference championships that are going on right now, and and
following guys that I've coached with or programs that I'm
(10:28):
familiar with, and just kind of checking in on everybody. Uh,
you know, I had a chance today to reach out
to you know, this this this uh exhausted eligibility night
that we had, it just it just made me reminisce
back on on my first year seniors at Utah Valley
who are really really special to me. Uh. You know,
(10:51):
those guys came in and I think we won eleven
or twelve games that year. We were pretty sure We're
only gonna win one. And those guys are so special
to me. And then I got to reach out to
each of them over the last few days, and then
and then and then my first senior class at BYU,
which is a really really special story with those guys,
and and got to reach out to each of those
(11:11):
guys just tell them how greatful I am and thank
flying form. And these are special times that you mark
your life by, right and and so this is uh,
you know, in all the mayhem and and the work
and the fatigue and the excitement is also a chance
to to reconnect on some of the special moments we've had.
Speaker 5 (11:31):
Our SEC tournament coverage here on the UK Sports Network
is presented by UK Healthcare and the Medical Center at
Bowling Green and we'll be right back on the UK
Sports Network.
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(15:16):
get to the Clark's pumping shop phone line, and we'll
start in Breckinridge County with Mark. You're on with Mark.
Speaker 2 (15:26):
Hey, Kay in doing wonderful, Mark, How can you hear me?
Speaker 19 (15:31):
Yes, sir, I'm doing great.
Speaker 2 (15:33):
Hey.
Speaker 19 (15:34):
Just kind of a couple of quick comments and question.
I love the whole philosophy positive reinforcement. I really love
the fact that all the players seem to be playing
for the brothers and they get so much enjoyment out
of the success of their teammates. And one question I
had for you being as careful as you can. I
(15:55):
really love the approach of controlling what you can control
and not worrying about officiating. But after you've been through
the regular season, do you ever feel like sometimes the
squeaky wheel gets the grease?
Speaker 20 (16:07):
Now hang out, listen, Thank you Mark.
Speaker 2 (16:11):
Hey Mark. I don't know if you know this, but
your your name. I know this because it's my name. Uh,
your name. The etymology of your name is Warrior, which
I think is super cool. It's like a take on
the Roman god Mars, which I think is is the
god of war. Anyway, I don't know exactly how that
(16:31):
relates to yellow the referees, but maybe it does. In
there somewhere I'll tell you this. So it's interesting because
we have a lot of conversations or and I'll be
I'll be really honest. Uh. Early on in our sec run,
I started to feel distinctly and talked to the arbor
of the referees and and and several referees about it
(16:52):
that it was unfortunate that it really did appear like
if you had a tantrum every two seconds, that you
kind of earned the attention of the referees and they
would actually respond. That's how I felt. And so because
my my m O coming in, which had been really
good for us, was just I'm gonna pay zero attention
(17:14):
to the referees. We're just not going to pay attention.
It just it's going to be what it is. And
like everything in life, you just kind of things evolve
a little bit. And so I do think that it
helps to helps to make the referees aware of what's
happening on the floor. I also think it can be
really productive to do it in a constructive way. Sometimes
(17:35):
a whisper is way more effective and way more moving
than a tantrum, And it's just kind of picking and choosing.
I will say this as a foundation. You know, Refereeing
is one of the hardest jobs in the world to
get right. It's really hard to do it right. And
I think our referees are probably as good as any
(17:57):
referees there are. I think they're they're good people. I
think they they're really genuinely as much as we think
they're trying to. You know, they got an actor guy
in with Kentucky or somebody else. I don't think that's
generally true. I think it's just a hard job. But
I do think that we're all human beings, and and
and and certainly they're going to be reactive to all
kinds of different things. And what I'd like to do
(18:19):
is I like to work with these referees and make
this product great and help Kentucky win and so in
all of that, somewhere sometimes there's appropriate to lose your mind,
which which I've done a few times this year, and
some with good effect and some with negative effect, and
and and and and most of the time it's really
good to be super constructive. And just like I'm getting
to know the referees in this league, they're getting to
(18:40):
know me also, and they're getting to know our team,
and and so I think it's going to bode well
for us in the future that we have a great
working relationship. It does not have to be adversarial. It
really doesn't, because these are good people trying their hardest
to do a good job. And there's been you know,
there's been an awful lot of good whistle that we've
got this this year too. So that it's a long answer.
It's not an exact answer because it's not exact science.
(19:03):
It's human beings and we are anything but exact sciences.
So but it's a really important dynamic of the game
that we're we're learning get better at every single day.
Thank you, Mark.
Speaker 5 (19:12):
One more question from the Clark's Pumping Shop phone line
before our next break. It comes from Cody and Lexington.
Speaker 2 (19:17):
Hey Cody, Nick, how watch how you doing good? Cody?
Speaker 16 (19:24):
Yeah, I had a couple of questions for you.
Speaker 21 (19:26):
One was about Kirk chrisa as he.
Speaker 19 (19:28):
Talked to you about coming back and using that extra
year next year.
Speaker 22 (19:34):
And the second question is.
Speaker 1 (19:36):
What's up with the black uniforms?
Speaker 2 (19:38):
Man? We are going to wear them? It's great? Okay,
two great questions. So Kirk Chris is right now, just
laser focus on trying to get healthy. I think, you know,
three days ago. It was actually we were at Missouri
the night before the game, and and Kerk you know,
(19:59):
you you know, you catch all of our guys in
all different emotional states, and he was seemed particularly quiet.
So I grabbed. When we just talked for a second,
He's just like, ah, man, it's just setting in and
I'm not I'm not gonna be able to play this
year at all. And he was pretty down about that.
But he is making progress, and so now it's just
a matter of rushing. You know, he's gonna feel better
(20:20):
as he gets closer and closer to being able to play,
because playing makes you feel healthy. It just makes you
feel good. And so he'll be all work in progress,
but he's gonna regain full health. And and what was
the second question about black uniforms. Oh, the black uniforms. Yes,
I don't know if the black uniforms are gonna are
gonna make their way into the rotation here in the postseason,
(20:44):
but I agree they're fire.
Speaker 5 (20:46):
There you go, Cody, we're gonna get to a break.
We'll come right back as we head to the break.
Watch bb in tonight presented about UK healthcare every weeknight
at seven thirty Eastern here on wl X and Lexington.
You can also watch archived shows at BBN Tonight dot com.
This is the UK Sports Network.
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Speaker 11 (22:34):
First Watch, the daytime cafe is serving up good mornings
to Wildcat Country. Here at First Watch, we begin each
morning at the crack of dawn slicing fresh fruits and vegetables,
baking muffins, and whipping up our French toast batter from scratch.
We use only the finest ingredients for the freshest taste
a round. Whether you want breakfast for lunch or lunch
for breakfast. At First Watch, everything is made to order
(22:55):
and freshness is never compromised. First Watch is proud to
be the official breakfast of UK Athletics.
Speaker 4 (23:02):
Go Cats.
Speaker 5 (23:15):
Subscribe to the Behind Kentucky Basketball podcast. It's presented by
UK Federal Credit Union. It's available for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify,
iHeartRadio and the official UK Athletics app. It's the UK
Healthcare Mark Pope Show and we're taking your calls on
the Clark's Pumping Shop phone line. Matt in Hazard, You're
next up with Coach Pope.
Speaker 2 (23:35):
How you doing, Matt real good.
Speaker 22 (23:38):
First of all, thanks to Tom for seeing the game
and Goo's for some of us. We appreciate it. Now
number two, Coach, you and some of the team were
in offices at ninety six championship now everywhere else of
everybody else was upfront eating those cucumber sandwichs and drinking,
(24:02):
and you were in one of our processing departments fixing
a laser printer and by the way, you didn't get
a fixed. So when I heard you were coming back
to Kentucky, I knew that we were going to have
a man who, when he saw a problem, worked on it,
and he did it without attitude. So you just keep
being Mark Pope and everything's going to work out.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
Man.
Speaker 5 (24:24):
How's that printer doing?
Speaker 22 (24:27):
Oh well, I retired seven years ago, so we changed
a few since then, but it worked for a long
time after that.
Speaker 2 (24:37):
Yeah, hey, Matt, you're in hazard.
Speaker 22 (24:41):
Yes, that's correct.
Speaker 2 (24:41):
Is how are you doing? Man? Post post this flood?
How's everything going for you?
Speaker 22 (24:47):
Well, we have to recover. I mean, you don't give up.
There's some businesses. Forty businesses on Main Street were damaged,
and I was down there last night seeing and and
three of them still not open back up. Some other
people you can see him working inside. Now, I'll live
(25:08):
on infime of the river and it got in my
neighbor's yard but didn't cross the street. In the man,
but this was the highest flood we had since nineteen
eighty four, and so it was was actually in some
parts of the county worse the twenty two flood. But
it's real strange. But anyway, thank you for asking. You
(25:31):
all take care and I keep listening and I'll keep
screaming with the radio.
Speaker 2 (25:36):
Hey Matt, I'm gonna tell you, I'm gonna ruin the
show right now. I tell you a story, one of
my favorite stories. I'm so thanks for sharing that because
I don't remember that at all, but it makes me
so happy. One of one of my one of the
guys I really look up to in life is Scott O'Neill.
He was the president of Madison Square Garden and he
was the CEO of hbs C all the Philadelphia sports teams,
(25:59):
and is now currently a CEO of a company overseas.
But he got his start he was in New Jersey
actually working for the Nets, I believe, and he was
just there doing like busy work as an intern. And
he was there on a Saturday morning. He was living.
He tells the story, he's like living with seven guys
(26:19):
in a one bedroom studio apartment in Jersey and just
trying to stay alive. It was a Saturday mid morning
and he was the only person in the office and
the printer was broken. So he was on his hands
and knees behind it trying to rewire it, trying to
fix it, and in walks the vice president of operations
(26:41):
and and and was like, who are you and what
are you doing to our printer? And so Scott just explained,
he just explained that he was he was he was
just it was broken, and so he was trying to
fix it and staid he was an intern, he was
doing this and that and whatever. And they had a
minute conversation and this this, this VP walked him over
(27:06):
asked him what you want to do. He's like, well,
what I really want to do is I want to sell.
I want to sell. I want to be in sales,
ticket sales, corporate sales. And so the VP walked him
over to an office it said, we have a spot
open for you. He started right there and then that
was the beginning of his career. It's a story I
love to tell all the time because the way Scott tells,
he's just like, you know what, make sure you're there
(27:28):
on a Saturday mid morning doing the job that nobody
else wants to do, and that's the pathway to success.
Super cool. So thanks for sharing that. I love that.
Thank you for sharing that story. A neat story. Thank you.
Speaker 5 (27:39):
Let's get to our Alumni Hall Question of the Week.
It comes from Greg and if you send in a
question it's chosen as our Alumni Hall question of the week,
you could win a twenty five dollars gift card from
our friends at Alumni Hall. Just tag at Alumni Hall
and Greg asks, are there any lessons you take from
your time as a player at tournament time that you
(28:02):
can pass along to your guys.
Speaker 2 (28:05):
Well, I mean, I've told this story a lot and
it does apply. I'll never forget. You know. Coach had
been here for seven years. I think it was year
seven or year eight when we finally won it, and
he had been to a final four at Epic Final four,
and of course had the the Eastern i want to
say Eastern Conference finals, the Elite eight game that we
(28:27):
all remember with Duke, and we finally made it to
a national championship game and our are you know, it
was kind of like people were getting impatient, as you
can imagine, like it's time to win one, and Coach
was un a tremendous amount of pressure and the expectation
of our team was from day one that we were
going to win it, that this was the team that
(28:48):
was going to come win it. And we were one
or two all year long, and so there's all this
build up and all this emotion. It was such an
incredible ride, and we finally beat UMass who at the
time I think was the number one ranked team in
the country. We beat them in the semifinal in a
massive game, just really really important game, and it was
(29:09):
just and they had beat us earlier in this, in fact,
the second game of the season they had beat us,
and so it was all the emotion. You can imagine
that we're finally there. We're in the championship game. Coach
Pi's first ever national championship game and certainly for all
of US players, our first national championship game. And so
Coach is the king of like fiery speeches and emotion
(29:29):
and drama and intensity and I'll never forget. So we
finished the game, we get up the next morning and
I'm thinking, this is time. This is what Coach is
going to bring out the greatest speech ever. You know,
he's gonna get us all riled up, and I'll never forget.
We're sitting there and breakfast, and all of a sudden,
the coach just leans back. He's like, oh, be put
in the film. And that was this whole prep speech
for the thing, and Coach had this beautiful way of
(29:50):
just normalizing the moment. All the prep work had been
done every single game leading up to that game, and
it had become a habit now to treat every game
like it was the biggest game that we would ever play,
and so on this which I think was I think
we end up being I don't know what our record was,
but maybe take this as our thirty fifth or thirty
sixth game of the season. On this the thirty fifth
(30:12):
or thirty sixth game of the season and the last
game of the season, like the prep work had already
been done and and and all the emotion been done,
and the habit had been learned. And so hopefully we're
in a space on our team where we understand that
we're we're we're not gonna have to do a lot
of hoopla and nonsense because we understand that every game
we play is the biggest game we're ever gonna play,
and so it normalizes these now these you know, these
(30:36):
one and done games, like you know, loser out games,
and and so hopefully we're prepared for that. I believe
that our guys are.
Speaker 5 (30:42):
Join Dave Baker and Cameron Mills for our Jack murfhy
Chevrolet count down to tip off coverage of Kentucky against
the winner of Oklahoma and Georgia. It'll be Thursday night coverage.
We'll start at eight Eastern here on the UK Sports Network.
Speaker 3 (30:56):
BBN Game Day, Hure weekly look inside UK Athletics Saurday
at nine am on LAX eighteen and stations across the state.
Check Ukathletics dot com Slash UK Sports Network for stations
and times in your area.
Speaker 17 (31:09):
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Speaker 2 (31:39):
Please enjoy responsible.
Speaker 24 (31:41):
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Speaker 12 (32:11):
Fun is in the air with these new scratch off
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These exciting new games include Lucky Meat x'es and o's
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(32:31):
Put a little play in your day with these new
scratch offs from the Kentucky Lottery. Play responsibly. Remember it's
just a game.
Speaker 16 (32:40):
Hey, Wildcat fans. Little Caesars, the home of Hot and
Ready Pizza, invites you to try our world famous Crazy
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and our new cookie Old Browning dessert. At Little Caesar's,
we begin each day with dough made fresh from scratch,
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Speaker 14 (33:10):
This is Coke zero sugar? Could I be the best
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Speaker 3 (33:40):
BBN Game Day h your weekly look inside UK Athletics
Saturdays at nine am on l e X eighteen and
stations across the state. Check ukathletics dot com Slash UK
Sports Network for stations and times in your area.
Speaker 4 (33:53):
BBN Game Day.
Speaker 5 (34:05):
Mullowans and Drakes are proud partners of UK Athletics. Visit
their team before or after the game for a winning meal.
Dine in and carry out is available. Otega Oway named
second Team All SEC today by the coaches.
Speaker 2 (34:18):
I know you were happy for him, yeah, I mean,
my goodness, what a season. And you know these postseason
honors are just what they are. But we had a
lot of guys that I mean you think about. Amari
Williams has put together an absolutely historic season and and uh,
you know, the way Kobe Bray is attacking the game
right now is so incredible. And and uh, you know
what Jacks did prior to his injury, and then Lamont
(34:40):
Butler is you know, prior to injury, and and then
now in the comeback trail, we have a bunch of
guys that have played incredible, incredible basketball and all of
them are happy for O for Otaga forgetting this honor.
Speaker 5 (34:51):
All right, let's go back to the Clark's puppet Shop
phone line to Mayfield, Kentucky.
Speaker 2 (34:56):
Kyle, you're on with coach Poe.
Speaker 25 (34:58):
Hello Kyle, Hey, hey coach.
Speaker 2 (35:00):
How's it going, Kyle? How are you? Brother?
Speaker 25 (35:04):
I'm doing really good. I wanted to start start off
by saying is to thank you, and and the only
reasons why is because it's to thank you for bringing
back the spirit of Kentucky basketball. And uh because last year,
you know, or even the last few years, you know,
I kind of I kind of had lost all hope
of Kentucky basketball, which is something I never do. And
(35:28):
and the thing was when I heard you got hired
in as head coach, and I was like, well, this
guy here has been played before and now he's the
head coach. I believe we got something here. So my
question is to you, coach, is that what has what
have you learned this this season so far as head
(35:48):
coach that you can use to to later on ahead
in the next season. You know, what have you learned
so far?
Speaker 2 (35:59):
Kyle? Thank you? First of all, thank you for the
kind words. I will tell you this though, I'm not
sure that I brought back the spirit of Kentucky basketball
because on my first day on the job, I walked
into a rough arena with twenty fourth, twenty two, twenty
thousand people for a press conference, and I didn't have
(36:19):
anything to do with that. That's BBN, man, I'm not sure.
I mean, the heart of Kentucky basketball comes from comes
from this incredible basketball community. It always will, it always has.
It's what makes Kentucky different than everywhere else, and so
I just feel so blessed to be a part of it.
That's the truth. That's actually the truth. That's not a
(36:40):
humble or modes statement. That's actually the truth. All of
us to get to be a part of this program,
it's like nowhere else, and it's because of how much
we all care about this place and how it brings
us all together in terms of the learning of Kyle.
It's hard for me to think of what we haven't learned.
You know, clearly we're getting to know this league, which
(37:03):
is so interesting because there's never been a league in
a season quite like it. It's fun to to, you know,
get to know these venues again, some of which are
very similar to how they were when I was here,
and some of this are very different, really fun to
dig deep into the style of play that's prevalent throughout
(37:25):
the league. As one low hanging fruit example, the vast
majority of teams in this league brutus underneath out of bounds,
which is you know, you see all kind of different
characteristics and all kind of different leagues, and when I
say brutus is just a it's a it's kind of
a switching man to man slash, a little bit of
zone principal scheme where people guard underneath out of bounds.
(37:46):
I've never seen it as prevalent in a league as
it is here. This is a This is a league
where the best teams in this league probably right now,
are carrying four elite level guards that can go get
their own basket whenever they want it and so we're
kind of learning some of those style of play and
some of the some of the talents of the places
(38:08):
in the league, and getting to learn the referees, and
it's just everything is I mean, the day we stop
learning is the day we might as well stop, because
then what's the point. But this is one of the
great adventures. And hopefully every single day will be a student. Kyle,
thank you for that.
Speaker 5 (38:23):
Saturday was particularly challenging as far as inbounding the ball.
I think mostly from the baseline, you guys had to
throw like cross court diagonal passes out to mid.
Speaker 2 (38:32):
Court, and yeah, it was actually working well until I
started drawing up plays and that turned into it disaster.
That happens sometimes. It's you know, I love Dennis Gates,
you know I have let me say that better. I
have so much respect for him, and he's a Florida
State guy, and so Florida State is you know, I
(38:53):
don't know, over the last fifteen twenty years run the
same zone out of bounds and it can cause a
lot of complications, and so we prep for it. But
clearly I didn't prep our guys as well as I
would have liked to, And so they are one of
the teams and they'll also brew to some also, but
they pretty much stayed and we call it deep in
their deep zone, and it was pretty effective against us.
(39:13):
It's coach Leonard Hamilton. For us, it is coach Leonard Hamilton,
one of the legends of the game, who is who
is retiring and we'll certainly miss him. And there's this,
there's this real contingent of of the veteran greats that
I grew up in the game with that are all
kind of over the last couple years retired, and it's
it's a it's it's sad and really exciting times.
Speaker 5 (39:36):
Let's get one more question off the social media feed
at UK Sports Network from Jake says he loves the
increased usage of Oway in the second halves going downhill
to the rim. Says it reminds him of a bruising
running back wearing down the defense in the fourth quarter.
Speaker 2 (39:50):
Yeah, so we we you know, we think about it. Yes.
First of all, Oteg has been actually tremendous all season long,
and his his de defensive effort the last six or
seven games has been ridiculous, and what him and Colin
Chandler did defensively in this game on the road at
Missouri was really special. Man, it was really really special.
(40:12):
Minus a couple of ballscreen miscues, they were elite and
in terms of chasing around thirty one, they did it
probably as good as anybody's done it in in the
country this year. And it was a team effort, and
they kind of saw as the team effort. It was
actually fun to see those two trying to work together.
But yeah, he's Otega is making big plays. Today. We
(40:33):
had a press scrimmage where it was just we were
going press to press, break and then press to press, baking, stop,
start again, and so we're putting in some some you know,
it's kind of become a little bit of a of
a toy in the game right now to run some
football routes to line all four guys up. If it's
(40:55):
a live ball, you can line line up out of bounds.
If it's if it's a dead ball taken, then you
have to line them up inbounds. But actually you start
up having run routes. So you got to out route
a curl route and a deep route, and so Otega
was particularly well adapted earning inbounds catches doing that today,
and they were having a lot of fun with it.
In fact, in fact, one point we put all of
(41:16):
our managers and gas on the court all at the
same time. It was like five on eleven and o'take
it was still covered with cash. Is pretty fun.
Speaker 5 (41:27):
Quick break and we'll be right back on the UK
Healthcare Mark prope show on the UK Sports Network.
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Speaker 5 (42:01):
The Big Blue Dream is alive and well and you
can count on the Cats to deliver the best performance possible.
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Speaker 14 (42:32):
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Imagine that tangling on your top. Busy deliciousness. Listen to
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Speaker 5 (43:44):
Cats up four spots to number fifteen in the new
AP poll this week and a five in the coaches
poll to number nineteen. And the University Kentucky is hosting
the Rifle in CAA Championships in historic Memorial Coddiseum, and
then'll be Friday Saturday. So good luck to UK hosting
and to coach Harry Mullins and his team. Let's get
(44:07):
back to the Clark's pumping Shop phone line. Leda in Mayfield,
what do you have for coach Pope?
Speaker 27 (44:14):
Hey, guys, how are you doing?
Speaker 2 (44:17):
Hey?
Speaker 25 (44:17):
Coach?
Speaker 27 (44:17):
I got it. Hey, I got a nostalgia question for you.
Speaker 2 (44:21):
All right.
Speaker 27 (44:22):
I met you in I met you in Paducah, Kentucky,
when you and the other two seniors went around to
the state of Kentucky. I think it was it called
a barnstorming tour or something like correct. Anyway, where you
got to, yes, where you got to meet all of
the fans of Kentucky and other areas. First of all,
wanted to know what you guys thought about that, and
(44:42):
second of all the main question, when do you sleep?
I'll let you have it. Have a great day, guys.
Speaker 2 (44:50):
Thank you, Leda, Thanks for calling in. So happy to
hear from you. So the barstorming, I mean, what an
incredible ex experience that is, and how unique is that
to Kentucky. Uh, I don't know anywhere that there's anything
quite like it. You know, it was a really fun
year because we had just won the national championship and
so we got to travel all over the state of
(45:14):
Kentucky playing against teams from the community, and it was
it was so fantastic. I have so many amazing memories,
one from traveling around with the guys, and and two
meeting so many great people. But it's just I mean,
it's one of a thousand things that makes Kentucky different
than every everywhere else, and so I'm super grateful that
I got to have that experience. And there was another part.
(45:37):
Help me remember Oh gosh, I didn't write that, miss Leada.
I can't remember the second part of the question. Do
you sleep? Oh? You know what? I would have remembered
the second part of that question if I slept more.
I'll tell you what. So after practice today we got
a new some type of some type of apparatus. Our
performance team got in this this zero gravity much shag chair.
(46:01):
That's the late term, but it's like uh, there's some
type of infrared lasers and and uh and high frequency
modulation that's going on, and so I uh, Randy Town
or our strength coach wanted me to try it out.
So he put me on a five minute program and
I think I last for about thirty six. So I
got a go four and a half a minute nap
and there I killed it. It was awesome.
Speaker 5 (46:23):
Producer Billy with the assists there, thank you. On the
second part of the Lada's question, let's go to Russell Springs, Kentucky. Garrett,
you're up with Coach Pope on the Clark's Pumping Shop
phone line.
Speaker 28 (46:37):
Hey, coach, just Garrett. We call it a couple of
ways ago and you wish my boy like and happy birthday,
and he's got a question for you.
Speaker 2 (46:45):
Let's go.
Speaker 25 (46:49):
Hello mo he.
Speaker 2 (46:53):
Ca you hear me, Yes, sir, I'm clear that they
said that one.
Speaker 28 (46:59):
More happy birthday, keuple weeks ago, Likings and he's got
a question for you that I asked.
Speaker 2 (47:05):
Okay, what's your question?
Speaker 9 (47:11):
Do more defense than bands during carnment flight or for
court press?
Speaker 2 (47:19):
Thank you? Liking Lincoln, you're about to be a coach,
huh Lican, are you still there. Let me ask you,
would you prefer for us to do some more zone
defense and some more full court press in the in
the postseason? Yes, you know, LIKECN, if you make that
call and we uh and the other team goes on
(47:40):
a nine to ozer run because they're banging three straight things,
BBN is coming for you. You know that, right. It's a
lot of pressure. Okay, thank you. Yeah, hey, Lincoln, it's
so nice side too.
Speaker 9 (48:00):
You know.
Speaker 2 (48:01):
One of the things that's fun about postseason as we
get the chance to to try and manipulate the game,
just as short spurts. And we just saw, actually we
just played against the team that does that very very
well in Missouri. So Missouri during the course of the
game will play a run and jump mand and man
full court press, a straight manda man folc coal press,
(48:22):
a one two one one three quarter almost full court
trapping game. They'll play a one to three to one
three quarter court zone. They can fall back into a
two to three zone with the wings pushed really high,
and so they use that to their advantage to try
and be really disruptive of the game, and they have
(48:44):
had success in moments doing that. In some moments it
hurts them one of the you know, just philosophically. The
opposite side of that would be like a Tony Bennett,
who's one of the great coaches, is recently retired, but
one of the great coaches over the last two decades
college basketball, and Tony Bennett was the flip side. Tony
Bennett was going to guard exactly the same every single
(49:06):
possession all year long. And there's the give and take.
One is you become so expert at guarding the way
you guard that you might do it better than anybody
else is trying to attack you. But it's very predictable
that people know what the game plan for and know
what to study, So there's going to be For us,
there'll be a little mixed sure. Hopefully we can choose
the right times to go zone, the right times depressed,
(49:27):
the right times to blitz a ball screen, and if
we can, they'll be really effective. And that's what we're counting.
Speaker 5 (49:33):
Watch bb AND Game Day presented by Republic Bank all
season long and air Saturday mornings at nine on WLX
here at Lexington. Check Ukathletics dot com, Slash UK Sports
Network for TV affiliates and times in your area. If
you're outside the state, you can watch it uk athletics
dot com, slash videos or on the Kentucky Wildcats Facebook page.
Send in a question to at UK Sports Network on
(49:54):
x or calls on the Clark's Pumping Shop phone line
two eight zero Cats inside Lexington one eight hundred six
six four two sixty three elsewhere. We'll be right back
with our final segment of the UK Healthcare Mark Pope
Show on the UK Sports Network.
Speaker 10 (50:07):
What keeps you going?
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Your love for the game, your teammates of victory. At
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so your body can keep going. There's no time for
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Ar Eachorthopedic providers specialize in treatment plans from nonsurgical and
surgical options, so your care is entirely centered around you.
(50:30):
Visit ARH dot org slash ORTHO define an orthopedic provider
near you. ARH more for Appalachia.
Speaker 21 (50:36):
You've heard the term buy local, how about play local?
When you play Keno and other games from the Kentucky Lottery,
your dollars are going directly to fund scholarships and grants
for Kentucky students.
Speaker 29 (50:47):
Play Keno anywhere Kentucky lottery is sold, convenience stores, bars,
on your laptop or on your mobile device. Visit kylottery
dot com to play Keno online, or go to your
favorite Kentucky lottery retail.
Speaker 21 (51:00):
Please play local, have fun, and help Kentucky students too.
Play responsibly. Remember it's just a game.
Speaker 14 (51:08):
This is coke zero Sugar? Could I be the best
coke ever? Try and taste with your ears. Hear those bubbles,
Imagine them tingling on your.
Speaker 10 (51:19):
Top, busy deliciousness.
Speaker 14 (51:22):
Listen to that cascading liquid, a mouthwatering waterfall asistably tasty
zero Sugar, Chris refreshing and ice gold.
Speaker 10 (51:34):
Is Coke zero Sugar the best coke ever? Try and decide.
Speaker 30 (51:38):
I used to wrestle in college and at the senior level.
Noisy gems, hits to the head and other loud hobbies
really took a toll on my hearing. The ring in
my ears got so bad that I had trouble talking
on the phone and watching TV.
Speaker 2 (51:51):
That's when I.
Speaker 30 (51:52):
Found Bluegrass Hearing Clinton. Doctor Heath was able to assess
my hearing needs, and after having the hearing aids in
I was able to better control my tenatis. I can
go back to living my life.
Speaker 2 (52:03):
As I was.
Speaker 26 (52:04):
Visit Bluegrassharing dot com, where better herring begins.
Speaker 16 (52:08):
Hey, wildcat Fare. Little Caesars, the home of Hot and
Ready Pizza, invites you to try our world famous Crazy
Bread with Crazy Sauce, Caesar Wings, Italian Cheese bread, and
our new cookie old Browning dessert a Little Caesar's. We
begin each day with dove made fresh from scrash, fresh
never frozen cheese and the tastiest topping. Little Caesar's is
(52:30):
also a proud partner of UK Athletics and an enthusiastic member.
Speaker 25 (52:34):
Of Big Blue Nation.
Speaker 6 (52:35):
So go Cat Pizza Pizza.
Speaker 18 (52:40):
Whoa whoa, whoa, whoa whoo who before you use that backup?
Where's the gas line? And where's your wallet? Because you
hit a gas line and it's going to costume, not
to mention that it's also very dangerous. Okay, Now, where's
your phone? Good call eight one one before you dig.
One call and you'll know where to dig every time.
(53:01):
It's to call eight one one, No problems, no accident,
no fines.
Speaker 2 (53:05):
Oh and uh it's the law.
Speaker 9 (53:18):
Well.
Speaker 5 (53:18):
Complete coverage of the cats like at you or like
UK Sports Network on Facebook or follow us on Instagram.
It's at UK Underscore Sports Network or follow an x
at UK sports Network and you can send in questions
via at UK Sports Network. And you can also call
us on the Clark's Pumping Shop phone line. And we
(53:39):
have a slot open here so if you want to
jump on board, we're getting as much as we can.
In this final segment, let's go to uh, John Short,
John Short, what do you have for coach Pope?
Speaker 20 (53:52):
We're gonna win the this is term win the women's
and men's basketball. We're going bestball, do believe, and also
we go we canna do the Platuna system like clach
Champ fifteen season. Also like him, covell the Tennessee Live
there is in every two three minutes.
Speaker 5 (54:13):
All right, thank you, John is mister optimistic For John,
I love man call over all.
Speaker 2 (54:18):
I need you talking to me in my sleep. Please.
I love everything about what you just said. We're going
to win. That's that's why we're going down there, and
and that doesn't guarantee us to win, but we're very
clear and objective and we understand how important this is
and what it means to to BBN and and what
it means to our guys. So we're gonna go chase
it as hard as we can. That's gonna be a
(54:40):
challenge from the get go. This league is so fantastic,
but why would you want anything less? And I don't
think we'll go platoon system right now as we've learned
this new group. So this is gonna be the on
on Thursday, and I'll be the fourth straight game where
we've had the same I said, healthy roster, which I'm
(55:02):
is making our life so good right now. And so
but what we found is that it's it's personnel packages.
Putting the right guys together with the right other guys
as much as we can as important, and and kind
of moving guys into the game where they're not shouldering
the whole responsibility. For example, some guys we like to
(55:24):
move into the game at the two where they don't
have to dominate the ball, and then slide them to
the one for a few minutes rather than throw them
in right at the one. Like that would be just
one of many, many examples of how we're trying to
massage the roster a little bit and where we're seeing
the best return. But so no platoon system for us,
but I do like how clean that is. I do
(55:44):
think there's a space for that if you have the
right ten guys, for sure, but.
Speaker 5 (55:48):
You're using analytics that give you a lot of insight
I guess into some of those combinations of guys, right.
Speaker 2 (55:53):
Yeah, definitely definitely the numbers in the turn to playing role.
And it's limited, I mean because you have you know,
sometimes you have a line of that has been together
for seven minutes over the last five games and it
might be off the charts returns. But there's so many
other things to take into account. So it's definitely a
piece for sure.
Speaker 5 (56:10):
If you have a quick question, we can take it
at UK Sports Network. You know what this is gonna
be like at the SEC tournament? Your day was in Atlanta,
now Nashville's Catalanta permanent home, and I mean to have
finished the way you guys did. What's it going to
mean to your guys when they roll out there. You
know what it's going to be like when they go
(56:31):
on the court there Thursday night against whom ever. But
what are they gonna feel like? Okay, so I'm so
embarrassed right now. I know, Catlanta, what is that?
Speaker 2 (56:37):
What is that? What is that our nickname for Nashville.
I don't know that we really have one. So that's
open BB Nashville, Oh, Catville, BBN. I'm calling out to you, man,
can anybody come with Some of those are good? I
like BB Nashville nash Vegas. I like it. Uh, but
(57:01):
can we we like Cattlanta is like per perfect. Yes,
that's like playing that repperendo the cathedral. You know, it's
just beautiful. I love everything about it. You know what,
maybe if we come up with exactly the right name
for Nashville, we'd go get a win. So we have, guys,
right now, it's Monday, we got three days. I'm calling
on BBN. I need the exact right, beautiful like Heaven
(57:25):
sent Kentucky ownership name for Nashville.
Speaker 5 (57:28):
Good luck down there, Thank you, brother UK alumni said,
Kid's gonna have a pregame pep rally starting at three Central.
It's at the Assembly food Hall. It's in the downtown area,
up on the third floor. Goose and I will both
be there signing books as well. So come by and
see us three Eastern on Thursday. This is the UK
Sports Network.
Speaker 1 (57:48):
This say has been the UK Healthcare Mark Top Show
on the UK Sports Network.
Speaker 4 (57:54):
The Mark Top Show what's.
Speaker 1 (57:56):
Brought to you by Coca Cola, Alphalachian Regional Healthcare, Little
Caesars and by UK Healthcare. We are here to Win,
Benn Kentucky Basketball is a presentation of the UK Sports
Network Let's Go Cast, powered by JMI Sports
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