Mark Pope has made history just months into his tenure as head coach of Kentucky basketball. Following an exhilarating 90-89 overtime victory against No. 7 Gonzaga in Seattle, Pope became only the second Wildcats coach, alongside the legendary Adolph Rupp, to win his first two games against AP top-10 opponents, per ESPN. With a gritty 77-72 win over then-No. 6 Duke in Atlanta earlier this season, Pope is proving he belongs among the coaching elite.
Per ESPN, Mark Pope joins Adolph Rupp as the only 2 Kentucky basketball coaches to win their first 2 games against AP Top 10 opponents.
— Cameron Drummond (@cdrummond97) December 8, 2024
UK beats Gonzaga, 90-89, in overtime in Seattle.
Defying the Odds
Both victories were anything but routine. Against Duke, Kentucky trailed by 9 at halftime before roaring back with defensive intensity and clutch shooting. The win showcased Pope's ability to make crucial adjustments and rally his team under pressure. But the comeback against Gonzaga was even more jaw-dropping. Down by 16 at halftime to a program that hadn’t lost a game when leading by 10 or more in 175 contests, Pope’s Wildcats refused to fold.
STATEMENT WIN FOR @KentuckyMBB 🔥
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) November 13, 2024
KENTUCKY DEFEATS DUKE 77-72 IN THE CHAMPIONS CLASSIC‼️ pic.twitter.com/4Mt2q5svcL
Andrew Carr and Jaxson Robinson were huge in the second half and forced overtime, and from there, the Wildcats clawed their way to victory. Kentucky displayed poise and resilience, traits that reflect Pope’s coaching style and are quickly becoming hallmarks of this team.
Resilience leading to celebration. pic.twitter.com/5AADoMvOKA
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) December 8, 2024
A Record-Breaking Feat
Updated Stat:
— Lee K. Howard ☀️ (@HowardWKYT) December 8, 2024
Gonzaga is 175-1 in their last 176 games when leading by double-digits at the half.
The Gonzaga victory snapped a staggering streak for head coach Mark Few, whose Bulldogs were nearly invincible with double-digit leads. For Pope, the significance is monumental. Winning this game so soon after losing to Clemson showcases a real togetherness in this group. Big wins against such high-caliber teams so early in his Kentucky career cements his status as a worthy successor to the Wildcats’ storied coaching legacy.
Big Blue Nation’s Hope Restored
These wins are more than just numbers for a fanbase who has been through the ringer—they’re a rallying cry for Kentucky fans. Pope has infused the program with energy, strategy, and an underdog mentality that resonates deeply with Big Blue Nation. The Wildcats are proving they can compete with anyone, anywhere, anytime.
The 16-point lead by Gonzaga (50-34) matches the largest halftime deficit which a Kentucky basketball team has faced and comeback to win in their history. pic.twitter.com/AD0aBwxxw8
— ESPN Radio Lexington (@ESPNRadioLex) December 8, 2024
While Rupp’s accomplishments remain legendary, Pope’s historic start signals that the future of Kentucky basketball is in capable hands.