If you have followed college basketball since 2010, the name Herb Sendek is going to resonate with you. If you are a fan of Kentucky basketball, it's a name you need to know. Mark Pope certainly does.
Mark Pope has history with Herb Sendek, none of it good
Sendek started his head coaching career back in 1993 with Miami (OH). But it was his next two stops that you probably remember him from. He first went to NC State, where he led the Wolfpack for 10 seasons, getting to the Sweet 16 once and compiling a 191–132 record. He then headed to Tempe to helm Arizona State.
That didn't work out as well, and he was fired in 2015. He wouldn't stay unemployed long, though, as he would be hired by Santa Clara in 2016. This will be his debut appearance in the NCAA Tournament with the Broncos and his first appearance as a head coach since 2013-2014.
While at Santa Clara, and Pope was at BYU the two met up 4 times. Santa Clara walked away victorious 3 times.
Pope wins the first meeting with Herb Sendek
The Cougars welcomed Santa Clara to Provo in 2019 in Mark Pope's first year. The Cougars would use Pope's trademark offense to hold off the Broncos, and give Mark Pope his only in over Herb Sendek, 85-75.
Mark Pope's close losses to Santa Clara
The second meeting was a 1-point Santa Clara win back in 2022 when the Broncos knocked off the Cougars 78-77 behind Jalen Williams' floater as time expired. Williams went on to be selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder and is now an NBA champion.
Pope would get his chance at revenge a year later, but it would again be the Broncos walking away victorious. But both of those games were on the road.
The last of the meetings came in Provo in 2023, and Santa Clara still won by 7.
But the good news is Mark Pope isn't running a Mark Pope system this year.
Mark Pope's philosophical flip may benefit Kentucky
While Kentucky has played inconsistently all year long, they have never quite looked like a typical Mark Pope team. And that may actually benefit him in this matchup.
Santa Clara will look to work the offensive boards and force turnovers, and that's bad news for a Kentucky team that can be sloppy with the ball and bad at blocking out. But they are much quicker than the Broncos and could use that pressure to get out in transition.
At BYU, Pope was all about that beautiful San Antonio Spurs offense that was all about ball and player movement. That is pretty much gone this year. In its place is a more methodical iso style.
This game won't be easy, but BBN shouldn't worry. Because this may finally be a game where Mark Pope's roster flip will actually help him walk away with a win.