We all know Kentucky is a completely unique place.
There is not a single college basketball program out there that has the history, the expectations, the tradition, and the absolute pressure that constantly resides in Lexington. A lot of programs have expectations, but Kentucky is just different.
Mark Pope was asked about that exact burden and blessing on Thursday. And his answer was absolutely perfect.
"I don't think people understand this. I'm so grateful for it," Pope explained to reporters. "It's what makes this meaningful and special. I think our guys feel the same way."
Pope didn't back down from the expectations. He leaned entirely into them.
'The day that you don't have pressure is going to be a really sad day'
"You know, the day that you don't have pressure is going to be a really sad day because it means that what you're doing doesn't really have any meaning," Pope said. "And so, that's why we're here. Like, that's why we come here is so we can be in this. And it's actually the best part. It pushes you and stretches you, and we can't wait to get to it."
And he is absolutely right. You come to Kentucky for the fanbase. Rupp Arena is almost always packed, even for exhibitions. Where else are you going to find that kind of passion?
If nobody cared? Then Kentucky simply wouldn't be special. They would just be another school that people come to and leave.
The moments last longer here. Players go down as absolute legends and stay in Lexington long after because of the family atmosphere around the program. And things just matter more. You have to take the bad to get the good. You have to take the pressure to get the admiration.
And right now? Mark Pope is proving exactly why he was built for all of it. But none of that matters if it doesn't get done on the court, and Pope knows that too.