UK HealthCare Mark Pope Show March 24th 2025

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.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
There is no hold, lots of let's apply, Yes, come on, stay,
let's go, let's go pre minute, click back on Osh Proficio,
that's three stall pre ball right, can count the fucking draft?

Speaker 2 (00:27):
What makes us different than everybody else?

Speaker 3 (00:30):
Is you from the UK's Sports Network. This is the
UK Healthcare Mark Pope Show. To talk to Coach Pope
called the Clark's Pumping.

Speaker 4 (00:42):
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 and one eight hundred six
oh six game. That's one eight hundred and six oh
six four two sixty three Cats, Cats Guy, or you
can tweet questions too at UK Sports Network Fort Kent.

(01:06):
The UK Healthcare Mark Pope Show begins now alongside the coach.

Speaker 3 (01:12):
Here's the voice soun the Cats, Tom Leach.

Speaker 5 (01:16):
Good even to everybody and welcome into our show. As
the Cats move on to the sweet sixteen of the
NCAA Tournament in the Midwest Region and they will take
on second seed Tennessee on Friday night, seven twenty nine
Eastern at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, and we will
talk about the fantastic performances in Milwaukee and what's next

(01:40):
for the Wildcats. Coach Mark Pope's alongside. We'll take your questions.
You can send them in on social media at UK
Sports Network on x or you can call us on
the Clark's Pumpinshop phone line two eight O Cats. It's
two two eighty seven inside Lexington one eight hundred and
six oh six four two sixty three elsewhere. Our NZA

(02:00):
tournament coverage on the UK Sports Network is presented by
UK Healthcare. It's the official healthcare partner of the Big
Blue Nation in Kentucky's number one hospital. This is the
UK Sports Network.

Speaker 3 (02:15):
You're listening to the UK Healthcare Mark Pope Show on
the UK Sports Network. The Mark Pope Show is brought
to you by Coca Cola, Appalachian Regional Healthcare.

Speaker 5 (02:27):
Little Caesars and by UK Healthcare.

Speaker 3 (02:30):
Tell me Who's in that house tonight, UK.

Speaker 6 (02:36):
Fight, every single day, for every single one.

Speaker 3 (02:41):
The Mark Pope Collins Show is brought to you locally
in Lexington by Baptist Health, Chick fil A, Skyline Chili
and by Toyota.

Speaker 5 (02:51):
Hey Beautiful of Fiery God.

Speaker 3 (02:56):
Cats Go there, Love Cats, the Wildcats and Lexington all
season long on your home for Kentucky basketball the UK
Sports Network.

Speaker 1 (03:08):
Hey, there's a penny by your foot, a penny, Find
a penny, pick it up.

Speaker 3 (03:11):
Then all day you'll have good luck.

Speaker 7 (03:12):
Come on, let's aim higher for the nickel. But how
often do you find free Nikels every day at Thornton's.

Speaker 3 (03:17):
Save five cents off for gallon of fuel every day
with Thornton's Refreshing Rewards.

Speaker 7 (03:21):
Then we need a new adage. Come to Thornton's.

Speaker 3 (03:23):
Pump your gas, save some nickels with every pass deal
add up to save a buck.

Speaker 7 (03:27):
How does that sound for a little luck?

Speaker 5 (03:29):
That is way better than pennies?

Speaker 8 (03:30):
Get five cents off for gallon of fuel every day
at your local Thornton's. Valid on fuel purchases up to
thirty five gallons requires download of the Refreshing Rewards app
and successful registration.

Speaker 9 (03:41):
Just like your fingerprint, your heartbeat is unique to you
and that's how your heartcare should be too.

Speaker 10 (03:48):
So.

Speaker 9 (03:48):
At Baptist Health, we focus on your specific cardiac needs,
from preventive care to some of the most advanced procedures
for your one of a kind heart. Choose the one hospital, says,
the more people trust for their heartcare Baptist Health, It's
care centered on You. Visit Baptist Health dot com slash Heartcare.

Speaker 7 (04:09):
What's it gonna be today? Skyline three Way or cheese Cony's.

Speaker 5 (04:14):
That's a tough one.

Speaker 10 (04:15):
I know.

Speaker 7 (04:16):
Give me a Skyline three Way and cheeze Conys.

Speaker 11 (04:19):
Problem solved.

Speaker 2 (04:20):
Feeling good?

Speaker 5 (04:21):
It's Skyline time.

Speaker 12 (04:23):
Skyway is back at Skyline Chili for two weeks only.
Order a Skyway today and get fifty percent extra cheese
at no extra charge on your regular or large, three,
four or five way at.

Speaker 7 (04:34):
Participating locations for a limited time.

Speaker 13 (04:37):
Imagine yourself in a new Toyoga now through March thirty
first to get two point ninety nine APR financing or
up to three thousand dollars customer cash on a powerful
new twenty five Tondra depending on model excludes TRD pro
or least a twenty five Toundra. Ashar Creumax for four
forty nine a month for thirty six months with thirty
nine ninety nine do its signing with the proof credit

(04:57):
through TFS tax title on licensed extra called one thirty
six Toyota Fruity Tips or go to Toyota dot com
Toyota Let's go.

Speaker 5 (05:05):
Places to our show here on the UK Sports Network
as we welcome in coach Martin Pope. Man, your guys
played well up in Milwaukee. That was fun.

Speaker 10 (05:28):
Yeah, they they I'm really proud of the guys. Man.
It's a good weekend for us, and it's guys who
we are focused and gutting it out and together and
how you have to be to have a chance to
advance a tournament play.

Speaker 5 (05:43):
You guys have faced a lot of adversity, to say
the least, with with injuries throughout this season, but you
all talked about that frequently up there in the interviews.
How connected this group has been for a long time,
and I assume that's what has enabled them to keep
the faith, so to speak, through all the ups and downs.

Speaker 10 (06:03):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (06:04):
I think so, just leaning on each other and relying
on each other and playing for each other and compete
for each other. And what I thought was great about
the game in Illinois is probably the most connected we've
been on defense, Probably the best communication we've had on defense,
clearly far from perfect, Probably the best do both performance
that we've had on defense, and all that kind of

(06:27):
comes from the guys being really together.

Speaker 5 (06:30):
I think it's the site bart Torvik one of the
many analytical sites that people will cite these days, that's
the one I think that has maybe had the best
handle on how you guys have been methodically getting better
defensively for about a month or and change now.

Speaker 2 (06:45):
Yeah, and actually had Torvick actually hadas is the second
and best defensive performing team in the NSABA tournament so far.
Houston was one and we were two. And certain that's
been a great progress for our guys, Uh.

Speaker 10 (07:04):
Since where we were six weeks ago. Our guys really
proud of that.

Speaker 2 (07:07):
They're taking it personal and if we want to if
we want to have a chance to be successful moving forward,
we got to keep doubling down on that. And it's
exciting that the guys know that they feel it and
they're they're chasing it and so it won't be any
lack of focus or effort. Uh, in terms of continuing
that work.

Speaker 5 (07:23):
You and I have talked before about the legendary detail
of the scouting reports that Jim O'Brien would put together
for coach Patino back when you were playing here, and uh,
you know, I just watching you guys practice, it seemed like, Uh,
you guys had a really good handle on your opponents
to give the plan to your guys.

Speaker 10 (07:41):
But then like your group back.

Speaker 5 (07:43):
In the mid nineties, they went at your guys this weekend,
went out and really executed what the plan was.

Speaker 2 (07:48):
Yeah, we did, uh, and and to some certain extent,
I mean, you know, uh, Illinois Center still got off
twelve threes, right, That was not part of the game
plan for us, you know, So it was.

Speaker 10 (08:00):
It was. It was far from perfect, but it was.

Speaker 2 (08:03):
But like I said, I was really proud of our
guys from being connected in terms of our communication. You know,
it was nice for us because we had Troy and
then Illinois who had some real similarities in the sense
of in terms of what they do offensively. Both teams
are just they keep themselves alive on the offensive glass.

Speaker 10 (08:21):
They're both elite, elite, elite.

Speaker 2 (08:23):
Level offensive rebounding teams that rely on that to get
it done. They each shoot a huge number of threes.
They both have bigs that really shoot it, and they
do a ton of rifle rescreen stuff, kind of playing
behind a ball streat and a rifle rescreen stuff where
you really have two players in the action that have

(08:45):
to communicate and and then you have three other guys
on the floor that kind of have to make up
the ground, and I thought.

Speaker 10 (08:52):
Both of those groups did it well.

Speaker 2 (08:54):
We still have a lot of room to grow, but
I thought our communication was it was really solid.

Speaker 5 (08:59):
Some any of your guys, if you look at numbers,
have are having career years. I think of Lamont, I
think it was one I've got in my notes where
I think he's shooting like fifty five on two point shots.
He's a career forty six percent. Yeah, Otegas, I think
it's in the game notes. He's up for a career
best in like seven different categories.

Speaker 10 (09:20):
Amari.

Speaker 5 (09:21):
That is a tribute to the work that they've put in.
I mean, you can tell them what to do, but
they've got to put in the work.

Speaker 10 (09:26):
Yeah, we do.

Speaker 2 (09:27):
I mean almost straight down the line, everybody's having career seasons.

Speaker 10 (09:31):
That's what you're supposed to do.

Speaker 2 (09:32):
That's why that's why you come play another year, is
because you get better. Our guys really do believe and
get better every day. They Our guys are growth mindset guys.
You know, we spend most of our lives kind of
be at fist mindset guys. Media wants to represent guys
is fixed kind of finished products, but our guys don't.

(09:53):
Our guys are hungry. They think about it every day.
But how can I get a little bit better today?
And and we've seen unbelievable growth and all these guys
credit to the staff too. Yes, uh, you know this
is my staff works incredibly hard. They help our guys
get really specific and stay really focused on on very
specific spaces where they can grow. And and so that

(10:14):
that you know that that team effort between our staff.
You know, my assistants and our gas do an incredible job.
Our managers do an incredible job. And then of course,
you know, the yeoman's task falls on our players who
have been so dedicated and hungry to get better, uh,
to help each other and then to find a way

(10:35):
to win.

Speaker 5 (10:35):
Watch BBN game or watch bb in Tonight, presented by
UK Healthcare every weeknight at seven thirty on w l
e X. Here In Lexington said at thirty Eastern time.
Fans can also watch archive shows at bbntonight dot com.
We'll be right back with more from Coach Pope. We'll
get to your questions when we return. This is the
UK Sports Network.

Speaker 14 (10:54):
I shouldn't be here. That's what the first three doctors
said that even if I made it to a mission,
I'd probably never claim again. But I did because I
wanted a different answer, and I found it at UK Healthcare.
It took a drug nobody else had yet, twelve rounds
of chemo, and a sixteen person team.

Speaker 10 (11:16):
But here I.

Speaker 14 (11:17):
Am right where I was never supposed to be. UK
Healthcare the power of advanced medicine.

Speaker 15 (11:24):
Thine are not a UK Athletics would like to bank
our official cornerstone partners, Central Bank, the official bank of
UK Athletics, Kentucky Farm BUA Insurance, Big On Commitment and
UK Healthcare, official healthcare partner of Big Blue Nations.

Speaker 1 (11:39):
Still Kentucky Coos take the.

Speaker 5 (11:42):
Learning track, Walk Ali in Kentucky, Go some seventy two.

Speaker 15 (11:48):
Once again, thank you to our official cornerstone partners who
play a vital role in the success of the University
of Kentucky Athletics program.

Speaker 16 (11:55):
At the University of Kentucky, we do more than harvest
from our rich life legacy.

Speaker 17 (12:01):
We sew and nurture the dreams and the dreamers, The
graduates who plant themselves here.

Speaker 15 (12:07):
The seekers who advance patient saving care and research.

Speaker 14 (12:11):
The community leaders who transform lives, We.

Speaker 3 (12:14):
Do more than survive in Kentucky.

Speaker 16 (12:16):
We strive in Kentucky. We thrive in Kentucky.

Speaker 18 (12:23):
This is Coke zero sugar. Could I be the best
coke ever? Try and taste with your ears.

Speaker 19 (12:30):
Here those bubbles, Imagine them tangling on your top, busy deliciousness.
Listen to that cascading liquid a mouth water and waterfall,
irresistably tasty. Zero sugar, crisp, refreshing and ice gold. Is
Coke zero sugar the best coke ever?

Speaker 11 (12:51):
Try and decide you've heard the term buy local? How
about play local? When you play Keino and other games
from the Kentucky Lottery, you're do are going directly to
fund scholarships and grants for Kentucky students.

Speaker 20 (13:04):
Play Keynot anywhere Kentucky Lottery is sold, convenience stores, bars,
on your laptop or on your mobile device. Visit kylottery
dot com to play Keynot online, or go to your
favorite Kentucky Lottery retailer.

Speaker 11 (13:16):
Please play local, have fun and help Kentucky students too.
Play responsibly. Remember it's just a game.

Speaker 21 (13:25):
What keeps you going 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 each Orthopedic providers specialize in
treatment plans from non surgical and surgical options, so your

(13:45):
care is entirely centered around you. Visit ARH dot org
slash ORTHO define an orthopedic provider near you. ARH more
for Appalachia.

Speaker 5 (14:06):
Welcome back into our show and when you tune in
on Friday for the Jack Burford Chevrolet count Down to
tip Off Show with Dave Baker and Cameron Mills, It'll
be at six Eastern time. Lucas Oil Stadium is the
site for Kentucky and Tennessee and the Sweet sixteen of
the NCAA Tournament. First time they will have met in

(14:29):
that particular event, but more history between those two programs
than anybody else in the SEC. Let's jump right into
the questions and we will start on the Clark's Pumping
Shop phone line with Scott in cub Run, Kentucky.

Speaker 22 (14:43):
Hey, Scott, Hey, how's it going guy?

Speaker 10 (14:48):
Scott? How are you my friend?

Speaker 22 (14:50):
Can you I'm doing good? Can you hear me?

Speaker 5 (14:53):
We hear you?

Speaker 22 (14:53):
Perfect Hey, First of all, I just got a statement.

Speaker 5 (15:01):
Uh.

Speaker 22 (15:01):
I got all jacked up the other night before y'all
played Troy, they showed a clip of you before the
game started. I was ready to lace them up and
go out. But now, on a more serious note, I
was just curious, since you've got that big raise, if
you could come up with pickets and room and forward
for it this weekend.

Speaker 2 (15:22):
Well, you know, last time I was on the show,
I got myself in big trouble by doing the gas.

Speaker 10 (15:28):
I'm trying.

Speaker 2 (15:29):
I'm trying to hold off on any more promotional items.
But you know what, you probably talked me into it.
You just tell me what I need to do it.
Let's go, Scott.

Speaker 22 (15:38):
Most importantly, I'm gay you. You don't hurt. You don't
hurt to ask us it, Scott.

Speaker 2 (15:43):
Most importantly, man, if you still got some game, If
you got game, we might need to suit y'all.

Speaker 22 (15:51):
Ah, Man, I have to do it in the wheelchair.
Hurts me to think about Reddy, but I'll joke beside. Hey,
go shot the world, win this whole thing.

Speaker 23 (16:02):
But doing the.

Speaker 10 (16:03):
BASI thank you, Scott, appreciate the call. Scott.

Speaker 5 (16:07):
Our next stop is Lagrange Kentucky Todd. You're on with
coach Mark Pope.

Speaker 24 (16:13):
Hey, guys, good afternoon, coach. Want to congratulate you on
a great, really fun first season. I'm looking forward to
seeing what you can do when you've got more than
two weeks to put a team together. Got a question
for you about defense, which you talked about up top
of the show. I was reminded recently that Duke in

(16:38):
twenty fifteen, when we thought we were going to win
a title, they did instead, and their defense efficiency went
from number I think it was like sixty seven at
the end of the regular season to almost the top
ten by the end of the year. Just from a
run through the ACC and NCAA tournaments. We're seeing some
similar improvement. At the time, folks said, well, you can
see that you can do that with a freshman led

(16:59):
team because they're they're learning, and they're capable of these
huge leaps. You can't do that with juniors and seniors
because by the time they're that age, what you see
is what you get. But now, when teams are being
put together on the fly like this, I'm wondering if
it's going to be more normal to see these kind
of defensive improvements late in the year maybe. And then
also I just want to ask you, is how reasonable

(17:20):
is it to expect us to continue to improve on
the defensive end or do you think we're we've just
about max at where we are. I'll hang up and
listen to your answer.

Speaker 2 (17:29):
Thanks by Todd, Thank thanks for calling in UH, and
we're excited to talk about defense right now.

Speaker 10 (17:36):
For sure.

Speaker 2 (17:38):
I think it's I think you know this cliche defense
wins championships is a cliche for a reason. Most cliches
have some truth to them, and it's an incredibly important
aspect of the staying power to get yourself through offensive drafts,
to win consecutive game after game after game, and so

(18:00):
us continue to improve on the defensive end is going
to be key to us being able to continue on
in this in this NAA tournament, I do think that
we have a ton more growth potential. I think we
can continue getting better. We've said this from the beginning.
They'll our only complain about the season this year is
just too short. We need more time. But I do

(18:23):
think our guys have uh the potential to get better.
And and one of the reasons is because everybody is
so new to each other. And the other reason is
because we're worse as a coaching staff, still figuring out how.

Speaker 10 (18:33):
To work these pieces. It's specifically past weekend.

Speaker 2 (18:37):
We tried some new ways to communicate with our players
and have them communicate with each other that were pretty functional.
And and so we're all airing and you know, constantly
taking another look and another look and another look at
the way we do things and and how we've and
the game is also evolving and so about how we

(18:58):
can approach things on the defensive end. And I still
think we can get way better. I've been really proud
of our growth. It's come from individual players. We've talked
at length about Kobe Brea, Colin Chandler stepping.

Speaker 10 (19:09):
Up and making a huge difference.

Speaker 2 (19:12):
So you know, Lamont Butler being in the lineup and
and getting a little bit healthier. Are bigs growing in there,
you know, kind of old Miss. Our bigs took ahead
and post old Miss and and have just continually gotten
better and better and better, playing with more urgency and communication.

(19:33):
And so I think we can continue getting better and
I think we will.

Speaker 5 (19:37):
God, thank you for the question. We will get to
a break and then continue taking your questions about Kentucky
basketball for coach Mark Pope here on the UK Healthcare
Mark Pope Show. We'll be right back on the UK
Sports Network. 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

(19:59):
of your printing and communication needs. Like a well oiled team,
Welch has the personnel and commitment to consistently deliver your
projects on time and on budget. Welsh Printing produces award
winning litho and digital printing for your marketing and communication needs.
Visit our website Welshprinting dot com or call us to
learn more about how we can deliver more for you.

Speaker 13 (20:19):
Imagine yourself in a new Toyota now through March thirty.
First get more point nine nine APR financing on a
stylish new twenty five Corolla or five point ninety nine
on Corolla Hybrid excludes Corolla Cross a gr Corolla or
Leasa Gas Power twenty five Corolla L for two thirty
nine a month for thirty six months with thirty two
ninety nine two. It's signing with the proof credit through

(20:40):
TFS text Toitland License Extra call one eight to eight
thirty six Toyota for details or go to Toyota dot
com Toyota Let's go places.

Speaker 25 (20:49):
We're all saving for something, but what if you could
save for something? At UK Federal Credit Union, we want
you to reach your savings goals faster, and that's why
we created our High Yield Savings Account offering rates as
highest four present APY. If you're ready to upgrade your
piggybank and earn almost ten times the national average savings rate,
visit us online or at one of our seven locations
to start earning up to four percent APY with a

(21:10):
High Yield Savings Account UK Federal Credit Union APY.

Speaker 5 (21:13):
Annual PERCENTAGEYELD minimum one.

Speaker 25 (21:14):
Thousand dollars to open HIGHYELD Savings Account. Membership eligibility required
Federally insured by NCUA.

Speaker 7 (21:19):
DQ presents the sound of your next meal At DQ,
it's the sound of savoring a signature stackburger, loving a
chicken strip basket, or digging into everyday value with the
seven dollars meal deal. Wait where is the sound? Am
I missing something?

Speaker 23 (21:36):
Oh?

Speaker 7 (21:36):
It's quiet because they're too busy. Enjoying their DQ Food
makes sense, so delicious and so peaceful. Grab your favorite
from the DQ Food menu today at participating in US
locations only at DQ Happy Tastes Good.

Speaker 5 (22:00):
We are back and we want to remind you that
you can score big with carry out from a Loans
or Drakes. Pick up the mini burgers, the wings, the
sushi and more. Order online at Bluegrass Hospitality dot com.
Let us go back to the Clark's Pumping Shop phone line.
This is lu Anne in Anderson County. Hello, lu Anne,

(22:20):
what do you have for Coach Pope?

Speaker 26 (22:24):
How you doing guys? Coach Pope, congratulations on such a
great season so far. We've still got some stuff today, right.
A question for you is can you how can you
get a mary to dump?

Speaker 10 (22:44):
Hey?

Speaker 2 (22:44):
I like it because that's a very specific, direct question.
I really appreciate that's that's that's beautiful.

Speaker 10 (22:49):
Thank you. Uh so.

Speaker 2 (22:52):
Amari Williams is such a fantastic I'm telling you, we're
getting to watch a once in a ja neration guy.
You think about his numbers in this last game, He's
he's ten rebounds, six assists, one turnover, which is incredible.
As much as he handles the ball, and play makes
for us eight points, three blocks, one steal. Just unbelievable

(23:17):
and so proud of him right now. One of the
things that happens to a Mari is he just sometimes
gets a little sped up, and it's why he's playing
so well. I mean, you see a seven footer race
on a closeout, jump up in the air, block a
three point shot, collect the rebound, race down and dunk

(23:39):
it on the other end, which we saw against Illinois.
You don't see guys his size make that play. Ever,
He's leading the break with us, he's leading transition, He's
under a tremendous amount of pressure from us to be
a playmaker, and he's playing against this drop defense and
this weekend he played elite, elite level basketball. The one
thing he would like to do is just slowed down

(24:01):
a little bit once he gets to the rim, kind
of get his feet under him. And I think he
will be able to do that. But that's it. I mean,
he's he's playing so hard, playing so aggressive, playing with
so much emotion, and just him and those moments, being
able to slow down a little bit is gonna be
the key for him.

Speaker 5 (24:15):
Saw a stat earlier today that someone posted that. So
there were three players of Kentucky history that have in
one season had three hundred or more rebounds and one
hundred or more assists as Amari has. So he's one
of them. The other two Antwine Walker ninety six, Cliff
Hagen fifty two.

Speaker 2 (24:34):
It's a pretty good company, Yes, it is a pretty
good company. Those are Those are two really incredible players.
And how fun that there's from such incredibly different generations
and with really different skill sets also.

Speaker 10 (24:46):
But that's actually a great stat.

Speaker 2 (24:48):
Amari is putting all kinds of historic stats up and
it's been really fun.

Speaker 10 (24:52):
It's been really fun to coach him. I wish I
could find a couple more years of eligibility for him.

Speaker 5 (24:57):
Alex sends in a question at UK Sports that work
for UH coach Pope, how do you recruit the portal
with the season still going on and open today?

Speaker 10 (25:06):
Right?

Speaker 2 (25:06):
Yeah, So we've been you know, uh, we're getting all
the reporting that everybody's getting it in terms of who's
in the portal, who's getting in the portal, who's who's
leaning that way, and while our communication with those those
people that are rumored to be end of the portal
is limited, we've been doing a ton of planning. Matt

(25:27):
Centauro is organizing the great Matt Santao's is kind of
our lead on organism organizing all that information. So we
have a dozen massive Excel spreadsheets, uh that we're updating
literally minute by minute. And with coaching changes, we've been
able to stalk some kids in the portal, and we

(25:48):
got to talk to some kids, uh you know that
are entering the portal as we speak, and and trying
to keep all that organized is a huge task, but
it's really exciting because there's incredibly talent of players. I
think guys have seen the massive success that are transfers
have had this year, and I expect that we're gonna

(26:09):
have great success recruiting in the portal.

Speaker 5 (26:11):
Go back to the Clark's pumping Shop phone line for
Matthew in Washington, d C. Matthew, what do you have
for Coach Pope?

Speaker 27 (26:20):
Yeah, Hey, Coach Pope, thanks for taking my call. I
want to echo what so many have said and thank
you for a remarkable season and really looking forward to
seeing how it turns out. My question is how hard
is it to throw a wrinkle into a game plan
when you're now facing a team like Tennessee.

Speaker 22 (26:37):
For the third time.

Speaker 27 (26:38):
The second part is a little silly. But do you
let your players throw into ideas for those tricks or
attempts to get the other team off balance?

Speaker 2 (26:49):
Yeah, Matthew, good questions that I can give you a
great example. So Tennessee is one of the most consistent
teams that you'll see. They're the top ranked one or two,
depending on what metric you want to look at defensive
team in the entire country. And they do it because
they're insanely consistent with what they do. They're very aggressive,

(27:09):
they put on a ton of pressure. They'll blitz ball
screens and hardshow ball screens. They give you nothing easy,
and they're lockdown defensive team. They've been the same team
all season long. They've been the top defensive team in
the country all season long. And so we're flying home
from from Milwaukee watching the UCLA Tennessee game, and all

(27:35):
of a sudden, towards the end of the first half,
they throw in a three quarter court one two two
that's more aggressive than any one to two that we've
seen this year. We've seen a bunch from Mississippi State
and Texas A and M and and Missouri and it
was brand new and it really cut UCLA off guard.
You know they it was it was I know that
the UCLA was, you know, they were so frustrated and

(27:58):
back to back plays. They drove in a coffin corner
and turned it over and they just it just hadn't
been something you've seen on the scouting fort so throwing
in something that you've kind of had on the back
burner the whole season. It could be a play call,
it could be an action, it could be bringing something
back from early in the season that you've gone away
from as you've gone through the second half of league.

(28:21):
Just bringing it back something you have experience with in
games on the court, but probably won't be in a
huge portion of the scout because usually we don't have
time to go back through a whole season. All those
things are really important when you get to this point
in the season. In the second half of the Illinois game,
we got to milk a couple actions that we hadn't
used a ton over our last six or seven games,

(28:42):
but we had toyed within the middle of the conference
season that had been pretty effective. And I think that's
a huge part of game playing. I think it's really important.
We actually guarded some actions different with a different emphasis
than we have through the course of the season, and
I think that could be really disruptive. So the game
planning gets super fun right now, partly because you know
your guys better than you have all season long. You

(29:02):
got more data and so you kind of have a
better sense of of where to go to make things work.

Speaker 10 (29:08):
And it's a it's a big part of postseason.

Speaker 5 (29:10):
Matthew, thank you for the question from Phil at UK
Sports Network. He said he wants to give Lamont his
flowers and said, speaking of defense, the month's been one
of his favorites uh to watch over the years. He
has uncanny balance. So what is it that you see
that makes Lamont excel on that end of the court.

Speaker 2 (29:29):
Well, I mean we talked about during the break this
steal he had right in front of our bench, if
a mishot kind of scramble and Illinois starting to race
down the floor and Lamont comes all the way from
the other side of the floor and and knife in
and uh and gets a clean uh like a clean

(29:53):
as day turnover and fires at the beg for an end.

Speaker 10 (29:55):
One was a huge.

Speaker 2 (29:57):
Momentum shift in the game huge or of kind of
solidifying our lead in the game.

Speaker 10 (30:05):
And there's a bunch of different parts of that.

Speaker 2 (30:06):
One is incredibly unique athleticis that Lamont has I think
he might have come out of the womb in a
stance he just body is made to be in a
defensive stance. He just feels comfortable there, he feels good there. Uh,
it's really remarkable. And then he's got an incredible burst
and he's got incredible breaks and a lot of times

(30:27):
we think about Guy's explosiveness, but but just almost more
effective in the game of basketball is how good are
their breaks? How good do they go from motion to
a stop to a change the direction. And then there's
a mentality part portion of that, which is, you know,
that's a that's a play that none of us really
think about even making, like we're first three steps back

(30:50):
in transition like we are Mantra's first three steps back
to clear the ball, build and use a building, use
a wall, load to the ball, and then on the
catch on the the verticality rebound. I mean, that's our
that's our that's our action tree and transition defense. Lamont
broke that whole thing off kind of let his instincts
come into the game and made one of the you know,

(31:12):
he makes him so often that they we forget how
spectacular they are. But that's a ridiculous play. And so
it's all the things. He's got, all of it. He's
got the physical gifts, the physical ability to move that way,
he's got the the insight like this field to do it,
and he's kind of got the courage to break the
rules when it's important to know how to fight at

(31:33):
the point of the screen.

Speaker 10 (31:34):
He's a brilliant, brilliant defensive player.

Speaker 5 (31:37):
That's an interesting word because I think I've always thought
great passers see one or two moves ahead, like a
great chess player does. He's like that defensively.

Speaker 2 (31:47):
Well, and he's you know, the thing is he is
a he is a thinking defender. He's counting dribbles all
the time, like he's timing up dribbles, the canes to
the ball, canes the ball, so he's like he's got
a rhythm to it. Then as soon as it leaves
a player's hand on the way down, and that's when
he's making his move to go get it. But you know,
he's not just mindlessly out there steads. Like most of

(32:09):
us are just trying to stay in front of somebody,
He's staying in front of somebody.

Speaker 10 (32:12):
And he's also count dribbles. He's also seen angles.

Speaker 2 (32:15):
He also does an unbelievable job with his film study
kind of focusing on tendencies. He's you know, he's as
good as they come. It's been really I'll tell you.
One of the most amazing things is how he is
protecting his shoulder now in real time. You know, when
I talk about his breaks is he's you know, people

(32:35):
are running him constantly through ball screens and UCLA screens
and zipper screens and wide screens. He's got two hundred
and sixty pound guys just seeking him out, and he's
got this uncanny ability to get all the way to
the point of the screen and either make contact with
the player he's guarding to create space, or to slam

(32:59):
on the brakes and kind of go soft, go limp
with his shoulder and just curl off it. I'm telling you,
is a guy who studies this game and studies contact.

Speaker 10 (33:10):
In the white pool.

Speaker 2 (33:10):
I've never seen anybody like it. The ability that he
has to protect this shoulder right now is almost the
most stunning thing that I've ever seen in the game
of basketball.

Speaker 10 (33:19):
It really is. It's it's it's really incredible.

Speaker 5 (33:21):
It is really really interesting as almost sounds like a
boxer slipping a place.

Speaker 2 (33:25):
Oh, it's it's very I mean that that general concept
that I did.

Speaker 10 (33:29):
It's it's it's pretty special.

Speaker 5 (33:31):
Gotta get to a break. We'll be right back, and
as we head of the break, we will remind you
to subscribe to the Behind Kentucky Basketball podcast, presented by
UK Federal Credit Union. It is available for free on
Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and the official UK Athletics app.
This is the UK Sports Network.

Speaker 23 (33:47):
BBN Game Day h R weekly look inside UK Athletics
senterdays at nine am on l e x eighteen and
stations across the state. Check uk athletics dot com slash
UK Sports Network for stations and times in your area.

Speaker 5 (34:00):
BBN Game Day.

Speaker 28 (34:02):
Each year, University of Kentucky student athletes provide more than
four thousand hours of community service. As Kentucky's insurance company,
Kentucky Farm Bureau says thank you, because we also believe
in doing our part to strengthen our communities. That's why
our agents are also coaches, volunteers and church members in
your communities. We've found Kentucky ins appreciate the personal service

(34:25):
they get from someone who lives where they live. Kentucky
Farm Bureau big on commitment.

Speaker 17 (34:31):
Hey, Big Biscuit Nation. Biscuit Belly, a chef driven, fast
casual brunch restaurant focused on over the top, made from
scratch biscuit sandwiches, is your go to spot for breakfast
and brunch in Lexington. Known for their biscuits, brunch and booze,
there's something for everyone on the menu, now serving Lexington
with two locations. Visit us at six fifty two East

(34:52):
Main Street, downtown or head on over to Masterson Station
at one twelve Lucile Drive, Go cats, and go Big Biscuits.

Speaker 25 (35:00):
We are all saving for something, but what if you
could save for something? At UK Federal Credit Union, we
want you to reach your savings goals faster, and that's
why we created our high Yield Savings account, offering rates
as high as four percent.

Speaker 20 (35:11):
Apy If you're.

Speaker 25 (35:12):
Ready to upgrade your piggy bank and earn almost ten
times the national average savings rate, visit us online or
at one of our seven locations to start earning up
to four percent APY with a High Yield Savings Account
UK Federal Credit Union APY Annual percentage held minimum one
thousand dollars to open Highield Savings Account. Membership eligibility required
federally insured by NCUA, Paseline.

Speaker 29 (35:30):
Tips one or note.

Speaker 15 (35:32):
UK Athletics would like to bank our official cornerstone partners,
Central Bank, the official bank of UK Athletics, Kentucky Farm
Bureau Insurance, Big On Commitment and UK Healthcare, official healthcare
partner of Big Blue Nations Kentucky hol.

Speaker 10 (35:47):
Okay take the Lording Track.

Speaker 5 (35:49):
Walk on in Kentucky, go some seven to two.

Speaker 15 (35:53):
Once again, thank you to our official cornerstone partners who
play a vital role in the success of the University
of Kentucky Athletics program.

Speaker 29 (36:01):
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 Wins Italian Cheese Bread, and
our new Cookie Dolt Browning dessert and Little Caesar's. We
begin each day with dough made fresh from scratch, fresh
never frozen cheese and the tastiest topping. Little Caesars is

(36:23):
also a proud partner of UK Athletics and an enthusiastic
member of Big Blue Nation.

Speaker 4 (36:29):
So go Cat Pizza Pizza.

Speaker 23 (36:31):
BBN Game Day, it's 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 3 (36:45):
BBN Game Day.

Speaker 5 (36:47):
When we are finished up hanging around for Clark, Pump
and Shob BBN Radio with Darren Hendrick, it'll be look
back with some tournament reactions for both the men's and

(37:08):
women's teams and women's season unfortunately coming to an end
yesterday in the second round with an overtime one point
lost to Kansas State, and then we'll have some highlights
from the UK network radio calls of the games that
you'll be able to hear as a restricted as far
as going on social media this time of year with
NCAA tournament rules, but you can't, we can't play them

(37:30):
on our own air, So that'll be coming up on
the Clark's Pump and Shob bb and radio show, and
that'll be followed by the Nick Mengione Show. Let us
get back to your questions. Oh one announcement quick. We've
got guests here with us tonight. If anybody needs a
picture from Coach Pope, please feel free to stop by
and do that, or get it if you have to

(37:52):
if you need an autograph. So let us get to
Ryan and fern Creek. You're next up. Hey, Ryan, Hey.

Speaker 30 (37:59):
Guys, as I first want to thank you for I
want to thank you for taking my call, and I
want to offer an apology. Coach, you were not my
first pick. I'm mad enough to admit I was wrong
the time you stepped off that bus to that welcome
and Rubberena. You represent the university. You definitely understand the assignment.

(38:21):
You understand the assignment as a husband, you understand the
assignment as a father. They all understand the assignment as
a spouse and children. I love that. I'm going to
tell you that my first choice is an embarrassment to
his university and the college basketball. As far as I'm concerned,

(38:42):
You're just You're incredible again. I'm most sincere. Apologies. I
could go on and on and on. Tom probably tell
you that I can. I'm long winded. A question I
have or a comment I have another comment, it looks
like the other two teams have decided to take away
the three point shooting that that it's your uh, your

(39:05):
forte and what Kobe Brea has done to evolve UH
is nothing short of incredible. I didn't think I knew
he could do it. But he's not just taking a
three point shot. He is getting creative with the ball
in the passing and and that is great. And UH, I.

Speaker 5 (39:25):
Know it were coming up on a commercial kind of
question in there.

Speaker 10 (39:27):
Hard.

Speaker 30 (39:30):
It's hard to beat a good team once, let alone twice,
and I know it's gonna be a struggle, but I
got full faith that that you're gonna do it and
and knock the volunteers out of the tournament. I want
to thank you for UH beating U of L uh
o L and advancing further in the tournament. That means

(39:52):
a whole lot to us in Jefferson County. Thanks again, coach,
and thanks.

Speaker 10 (39:55):
Again Tom Ryan. A couple of things. Let me run
through this the best I can. One.

Speaker 2 (40:02):
I wasn't my first pick either, so so when the
job came open, I was going through the list too.

Speaker 5 (40:08):
I'm like, Oh, who's gonna be the right guy for
the job.

Speaker 2 (40:11):
So you know, there's no reason feel bad about that.
We're just we're just glad this thing is. We're gonna
we're gonna all make this work together too. I appreciate
you a setup about my family in full disclosure. Right
during the break before this segment, I put a mint
in my mouth, and then all of a sudden, I
was like, oh, Leanne is gonna destroy me, because when
I put these mints in my mouth, I tend to
smack them, and it drives her crazy. Justifiably so drives

(40:35):
and so you know, we're we're working progress on that.
What's that I'm gonna work That's right, I'm a worker progress.
We and then and then regarding uh, this Kobe brad Man,
It's been fun to watch him, girl, hasn't it. I'm
I'm incredibly proud of him. He's already taken us. He's
more than doubled his two point field goal attempts from

(40:57):
last year, playing at this much high level, and his
his determination to dig in and get inside the three
point line has been a huge key for us. I
couldn't be more proud of him and his you know,
the last four weeks he's made this huge push, this personal,
personal push on the defensive end. It's been fun to

(41:18):
watch him grow and and you know this, This Tennessee
team is there nothing short of a great team. And
it's going to be a just an epic battle on Friday,
which is exactly what you expected in a sweet sixteen game.

Speaker 5 (41:29):
Let's go gonna get to a break as we do.
Let me remind you. The UK sn all Access is
the best way to get official, radio, TV and digital
content about your cats from the UK Sports Network. Uk
sn all Access is presented by UK Federal Credit Union.
It's available on the UK Athletics App or just go
to uk snallaccess dot com and set up a free account.

Speaker 10 (41:50):
Today.

Speaker 5 (41:50):
We'll be right back. It's the UK Healthcare Mark Pope
Show on the UK Sports Network.

Speaker 7 (41:55):
DQ presents the sound of your next meal at DQ.
It's the sound of savoring a signature stackburger, loving a
chicken strip basket, or digging into everyday value with a
seven dollars meal deal. Wait where is the sound? Am
I missing something?

Speaker 23 (42:11):
Oh?

Speaker 7 (42:11):
It's quiet because they're too busy enjoying their DQ food
makes sense, So delicious and so peaceful. Grab your favorite
from the DQ food menu today at participating in US
locations only a DQ Happy Taste Good.

Speaker 13 (42:25):
Imagine yourself in a new Toyota like the best selling
Toyota Camray. It's all hybrid, all the time with available
all wheel drive now through March thirty. First get four
point ninety nine APR financing on any new camera or
release a Camri l from just two ninety nine a
month with thirty six months with thirty two ninety nine two.
It's signing with a proof credit through TFS Text Title

(42:47):
and License extra. Call one eight eight eight thirty six
Toyota for details, or go to Toyota dot com Toyota
Let's Go Places, Hey.

Speaker 5 (42:55):
Big Glue Nation.

Speaker 31 (42:56):
Liquerbarn has everything you need for this week's Kentucky Wildcat
Bass bsketball action. Whether you're watching at home or whether
you're stocking up for a party. They make it easy
to place an order for pickup or delivery. Download the
app or visit liquorbarn dot com or call your local
liquor barn store. Shop Kentucky's favorite spirits, wine and beer store,
and you know what, You'll have more time for the Cats.

(43:19):
Liquor Barn where Kentuckians go to celebrate life.

Speaker 10 (43:23):
Go Cats.

Speaker 32 (43:24):
Welcome to the Merican, where history meets charming flavors. Unit
our top one hundred bourbon bar in Southern fine dining
offer unforgettable experiences. Join us Friday through Sunday ten am
to three pm for Southern Brunch. AMSS new the renovated
Ambiyonce Craft memories here where each clink, laugh, and moment
shapes our ongoing story. Preserve today to be part of
our timeless narrative. Raise a toast with bourbons, save our

(43:46):
Southern flavors. Experience history in everybudy. Embrace Kentucky's charm and tradition.
Join us at the Miracan and make reservations and create
legacy of memories.

Speaker 5 (44:06):
Watch BBN Game Day presented by Republic Bank all season
long and air Saturday mornings at nine on wl e
X and Lexington. Check UK athletics dot com Slash UK
Sports net Work for TV affiliates and times in your area.
If you're outside the state, you can watch at UK
athletics dot com, Slash Videos or on the Kentucky Wildcats
Facebook page. Let us get back to the calls on

(44:28):
the Clark's Pumping Shop phone line. Travis in Providence, Kentucky
You're next.

Speaker 33 (44:34):
Hey, Travis, big fan, you are doing great throwings this year,
coming off two wins against Tennessee earlier in the year.
I know, I'm pretty sure Ternament plays a whole lot different,
But order some specific areas of Tennessee's game that you're
most focused on, and what adjustments are you gonna make
prior to earlier in the year against them are you
gonna have to make to get the job done for
a third time?

Speaker 2 (44:56):
Travisantion calling and Providence. What a great name for a town.

Speaker 5 (45:00):
Living what that's in the western part of the state.

Speaker 10 (45:03):
But that is awesome.

Speaker 2 (45:05):
So as you asked the question, I got a hundred
things going through my mind, and I'm like, I'm not
sure what it's wise to reveal about how we're gonna
approach this game. I will tell you some of the
things that they do great there. We already talked about
them being an elite, elite, elite level defensive team. It's
adding new wrinkles even in the NSAA tournament, and so

(45:25):
we'll pay a ton of attention to trying.

Speaker 10 (45:28):
To keep movement with this ball. Uh.

Speaker 2 (45:31):
You know, for us, the key has been how much
movement can we get and it's a battle, right, That's
the fight is their pressure wants to keep you stationary
and how aggressive can we be with our movement on on,
on and off the ball. Uh in terms of guarding them,
they just have this Chaslanier is such a problem.

Speaker 10 (45:50):
Uh, Ziegler is such a problem. Uh.

Speaker 2 (45:52):
They you know, they have you know, a bevy of
talented scorers that can go create their own basket.

Speaker 10 (45:59):
Uh.

Speaker 2 (45:59):
They run a bu bunch of actions and what we're
kind of seeing in films, they're getting a little more
freedom with how they do things and what they do.
So us just trying to dial into as best we
can the game plan of of of how they score,
how they operate, what they're looking for is something we'll do.

Speaker 10 (46:18):
It's it's actually pretty fun, you know there.

Speaker 2 (46:21):
For me, one of the great athletic events is that
is when you're in the NBA Playoffs and you're playing
a seven game series.

Speaker 10 (46:27):
I love it so much.

Speaker 2 (46:28):
It was when I got to be a part of that,
it was it was such a fascinating endeavor because you
would see the whole dynamic if the series shift from
one game to the next, as teams game plan for
what went right or what went wrong the last game.
So you know, game four could have a completely different

(46:48):
complexion than Game two, Like it could be like both
teams were totally transformed.

Speaker 10 (46:53):
I don't think we quite see that. In college.

Speaker 2 (46:55):
We haven't played Tennessee for six weeks, which is an
eternity in the in the game of basketball. But we
do have a bunch of film to go over. And
then from that film, you don't kind of take that
film as the gospel truth. You spend your time evaluating
the film trying to, you know, put myself in and
coach barneshead for example, and see what he would see

(47:16):
and how he's seeing, and what he would want to
do with it, what adjustments he wanted to make, And
then it's a guessing game in a preparation game.

Speaker 5 (47:23):
From there, let's go back to social media. Steve Since
in a question at UK Sports Network on x curious
how the group techs have been going with your teammates
from nineteen ninety six. They're good as much as you
can good.

Speaker 10 (47:42):
They're good.

Speaker 2 (47:44):
You know, they go from they go from they go
somewhere from from you know, mildly congratulatory to to incredibly threatening.

Speaker 10 (47:52):
And that's exactly where they should be.

Speaker 5 (47:56):
Uh, we should talk a little bit about the serial
for Amary Williams because a lot of fans have seen
some level of detail about the story. But what's the
backstory there?

Speaker 2 (48:07):
Yeah? Deb, what's that? What is the name of this
African weed? Bix weed to bicks. I'm telling you this
is why we need a longer season. I've been coaching
Amari Williams. I mean, how many road games that we had, deb,
We've had fifteen road games or neutral games, something like that,
give or take. And and we're sitting there and he
just got a couple of pieces of toast. You know,

(48:28):
Amri is a he is a massive human being, right,
and he got a couple piece of toast breakfast. I'm like,
a Mario, what are we doing? You gotta eat man?
We're what's the NAA tournament? And he explained that he
was uncomfortable. What was I doing the first fourteen games
on the road, That's my question? And it says like
I just you know, I used to eat this, and
so uh, our our crack staff went and got some.

Speaker 10 (48:50):
We we ate it all the morning of the game.

Speaker 2 (48:53):
And then and then he bawled out and Brandon Garrison
had unbelievable physicality and energy in the game. And so
the the our bigs are on a weid to Bix train.
I don't know if they're going to convince the rest
of the team to jump on board for pre game
breakfast meal, but I know that will become a every
every game ritual for for BG and Amari and and

(49:13):
myself and so it's it's it's actually fantastic. We're learning
more and more every day. Uh So apparently am I
allowed to talk about our former social media person. So
apparently our our former director of social media here at
the University Kentucky Athletics is living in England now and
is in London, is on the wed to Bix train

(49:35):
and uh and we've got some good feedback from from
uh yeah, from Cole, so I don't know, for whatever anyway,
and we're rolling apparently the newest thing. If you guys,
hopefully everybody in BBN, I welcome you all to uh
you know, if you guys want to join us for
your for morning breakfast and have some Weida bix on

(49:57):
on Friday morning as we prepare for the game. Warm
milk to me is key a little bit of sugar
and apparently it's also good with some honey and what
and some bananas if you want to go that way.
So it's be a Kentucky We debis Unity March towards

(50:19):
Mars Badness.

Speaker 5 (50:20):
And CBS has one of their all access teams following
the Cats around for their tournament run. And you probably
have seen a couple of the pieces they've done already
which have been outstanding. They're doing one on this topic.

Speaker 10 (50:32):
Why would you not?

Speaker 5 (50:33):
Of course we're gonna get to our final break. One
segment left on the UK Healthcare Mark Pope Show. This
is the UK Sports Network.

Speaker 8 (50:42):
Fun is in the air with these new scratch off
games from the Kentucky Lottery.

Speaker 21 (50:46):
With over eighty five million.

Speaker 8 (50:47):
Dollars in total cash prizes. Fun is just a scratch away.
These exciting new games include Lucky met x's and o's
and fifty Times the Luck Five scratch offs Today in
the counter or at one of our convenience fending machines,
put a little play in your day with these new
scratch offs from the Kentucky Lottery. Play responsibly. Remember it's

(51:08):
just a game.

Speaker 21 (51:11):
What keeps you going 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 each Orthpedic providers specialize in
treatment plans from non surgical and surgical options, so your

(51:31):
care is entirely centered around you. Visit ARH dot org
slash ORTHO define an orthopedic provider near you. ARH more
for Appalachia.

Speaker 18 (51:40):
This is coke ziero sugar. Could I be the best
coke ever? Try and taste with your ears.

Speaker 19 (51:47):
Here those bubbles, imagine them tangling on your top. Busy deliciousness.

Speaker 18 (51:54):
Listen to that cascading liquid a mouthwater and waterfall, irresistably tasty.
Zero sugar, Chris refreshing and ice gold.

Speaker 19 (52:06):
Is coke zero sugar the best coke effort. Try and decide.

Speaker 13 (52:10):
Imagine yourself in a new Toyota like the best selling
RAP four now through March thirty. First get four point
ninety nine APR financing on a new twenty five RAP
four or five point ninety nine on a RAP four
hybrid excludes plug ins or lease a gas powered RAT
four l for three thirty nine a month for thirty
six months. With thirty two ninety nine, you would signing

(52:30):
with the proof credit through TFS tax Title on license extra.
Call one eight to eight thirty six Toyota for details
or go to Toyota dot com Toyota Let's go places.

Speaker 2 (52:41):
Hey BBN coach Pulp here.

Speaker 6 (52:43):
Our program's mentality is relentless twenty four to seven work total.

Speaker 2 (52:47):
Dedication every day.

Speaker 6 (52:51):
It's what it takes to raise banners, and it's what
it takes to tackle the Commonwealth's biggest healthcare challenges big
Blue Determine. It's why UK Healthcare is the number one
hospital in Kentucky and the official healthcare partner of UK Athletics.

Speaker 28 (53:09):
The University of Kentucky has students from all fifty states,
more than one hundred countries, and perhaps just as impressive,
all one hundred twenty Kentucky counties. What you may also
find impressive is that in each of the one hundred
and twenty counties is a local Kentucky Farm Bureau insurance agent,
someone who's always there to make things right after a
storm or accident. Many farm Bureau agents even graduated from UK.

(53:33):
No doubt majoring in taking care of Kentuckians. Kentucky Farm Bureau,
big on commitment.

Speaker 5 (53:50):
Few minutes left to take more of your questions. Here
are the UK Healthcare Bark Pope Show. For complete coverage
of the Cats beyond what you're getting right now, you
can like UK Sports Network on Facebook or follow on
Instagram at UK Underscore Sports Network, or you can go
to x at UK Sports Network.

Speaker 2 (54:08):
Uh, you know, if we could close the book on
this weid to bix thing, so this is super cool.

Speaker 10 (54:13):
We are on the Wieda bix.

Speaker 5 (54:14):
What is this?

Speaker 10 (54:15):
Uh? Is this Instagram or something? I think?

Speaker 2 (54:19):
Well on the weid to bix X, Yes and so
uh this was their most recent post just so we
can all be informed on the weied to Bix phenomenon that.

Speaker 10 (54:29):
Is sweeping the world.

Speaker 2 (54:31):
It says the humble Crumpet maybe having its moment, but
let's not forget that Bix and Butter is the ultimate
og in the breakfast game. That's off to the social
media director and at Wiedo Bix. That's a big time
tweet right there.

Speaker 5 (54:49):
It's gotta be an nil deal for Amuri.

Speaker 2 (54:51):
Well, the bix and Butter. See, we haven't tried that.
I don't know if that's gonna sit well with our
nutritions though, But so there you go, Weed to Bix,
I love you all.

Speaker 5 (55:00):
Right, Let's go to Joni in Boston, Kentucky. You are
on with coach Mark Pope. Jony, what is on your mind?

Speaker 26 (55:08):
Oh?

Speaker 34 (55:08):
First, I've got to thank you all for taking my.

Speaker 10 (55:10):
Call, uh.

Speaker 34 (55:12):
And I want you to know, Coach Pope, that you
have been my all time favorite player of all time,
and now that you're to come to there like, I'm excitic.
I was so happy when you became coach. Thank you,
You're welcome.

Speaker 26 (55:27):
I've been.

Speaker 34 (55:29):
I don't really have a question because somebody else had
already asked about Amari dunk and the ball more so,
I'm just not gonna ask anything. Kind to tell you
all how excited I am now that I lost that excitement.
I'll come from a time listening to Kawood Ledford with
my dad and his brother, and we would sit out
on the back porch listening to these games, and the

(55:51):
excitement like is there again. And I just want you to.

Speaker 2 (55:55):
Know that, Jony, that means so much much to me.
I cannot tell you it means so much to me. Uh,
so thank you, thank you for sharing that. And and
and if there's a function of Kentucky basketball that that
it's our job to protect and and to grow and cultivate,
it's this.

Speaker 10 (56:14):
It's this.

Speaker 2 (56:15):
It's the way that it brings us all together as
as this incredible basketball community to to like share the
experience and the emotion and the journey and the drama.
And so I love hearing stories. You know, anytime somebody
mentions to me any experience they or their parents or
their grandparents had listen to Kate with Leadford, I'm like, man,

(56:36):
that's the fa that is our family right there, because
if you know what that is, you know, And so
so thank you for sharing that and and and I
hope you'll have fun sharing on our guys this weekend. Man,
these kids, you could be really proud of them.

Speaker 10 (56:51):
They are.

Speaker 2 (56:51):
They are fighting and they're trying to do together and
they care and they care about you, Joni, I kid
you not like I hear my guys talk all the time,
and it's just it's like it means something.

Speaker 10 (57:01):
They get it.

Speaker 2 (57:02):
They get it, and they want to win for each other,
and they want to win for themselves certainly, and they
want to win for BBN in this basketball community, it
means a lot to them.

Speaker 10 (57:10):
So thanks for calling in.

Speaker 5 (57:12):
Jony, thank you for the call, and thank everybody for
calling in. Best of luck to you and your guys.
Let's go going back to Indiana to Lucas Oil Stadium
and it's seven twenty nine Eastern for Kentucky and Tennessee.
You'll hear it right here on these UK Sports Network stations.
And don't forget pregame coverage gets going at six o'clock

(57:35):
Eastern time, six pm Eastern for the Countdown to tip
Off show with David Cameron. It's all right here on
the UK Sports dwork.

Speaker 3 (57:48):
This said has been the UK Healthcare Mark Top Show
on the UK Sports Network, The Mark Top Show.

Speaker 5 (57:56):
What was brought to.

Speaker 3 (57:57):
You by Coca Cola, Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Little Caesars.

Speaker 5 (58:02):
And by UK Healthcare.

Speaker 3 (58:04):
We are here to win. Banners Kentucky Basketball is a
presentation of the UK Sports Network Let's Go Cast powered
by JMI Sports