Mark Pope wants the moment, he wants all the critics to come out and direct that at him. He reminds everyone he understands the assignment.
After Kentucky pulled away late in a sometimes ugly 72-63 win over Ole Miss, the head coach was in a reflective mood. The game wasn't a work of art; it was a fist fight. The Cats shot just 36% from the floor, but Pope isn't interested in style points right now. He is interested in mentality, wins, and a former Cat turned NBA MVP.
"It's not really about fixing it and making it beautiful," Pope said postgame. "It's about, can you keep your mentality focused, even through the frustration? And our guys are doing a good job doing that."
The SGA comparison
The biggest headline of the night, however, came when Pope was asked about freshman Jasper Johnson, who continues to show growth after a slow start to the year.
Johnson had a solid night, pouring in 11 points and hitting 3-of-6 from downtown, but like any freshman, there were moments where he looked a little lost defensively or forced the issue. However, it is noticeable how much calmer he looks on the floor now.
Pope wanted to remind BBN of another great who started slow, he reached into the history books to do it.
"He's making some mistakes but he's learning from them and he's a really talented player, and he's on his way," Pope said.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who didn't start the first 10 games of his freshman season in Lexington, went on to help lead the Cats to the Elite Eight and OT period away from the Final Four.
"Shame on those people that [in] game seven were like, 'Ah, he's no good,'" Pope said. I am not sure I remember too many people saying that, but his point stands.
Growth isn't linear. If you give up on a talented kid in December, you might look foolish by March.
Kentucky basketball is winning ugly (and enjoying it)
Beyond the player development, Pope seemed genuinely relieved. and was almost amused by how the game played out.
For a team that has made a habit of slow starts, going into the locker room up 29-23 felt like a small victory, too.
"I actually thought the first half was incredible...I mean, it's been a month since we had a lead at the end of the half. I thought it was amazing. I'll take that every time." I don't think anyone would disagree there.
The team seems to be bonding and finding its way on the court, and Pope has noticed that too:
"I think the guys are a little more comfortable with each other. We're staying as simple as we possibly can."
Finally, Pope addressed the burning question we wrote about earlier: Will Kentucky burn Braydon Hawthorne's redshirt to cover for the injuries to Kam Williams, Jayden Quaintance, and Jaland Lowe?
The answer is as usual complicated by an injury.
"It's something that is certainly been in discussion," Pope confirmed. "There's so many dynamics that, most importantly, right now he's not healthy... We'll see. He's got to get healthy first."
So, for now, that is not an option. The guys in that locker room are the ones who have to get it done. And if they can "take themselves out of the noise," they might just fool around and become a top-25 team again.
"This is really special what these guys are doing."
Enjoy the ride, BBN.