When Mark Pope stepped to the podium after Kentucky's exhibition battle with No. 1 Purdue, his reflections went beyond basketball strategy. He spoke about belief, purpose, and a moment of personal faith that offered insight into the deeper foundations of the program he's building.
'If you know, you know'
Pope shared a story about a recent church sermon that powerfully resonated with him. “I was listening to a church sermon that was super powerful,” Pope recalled. “And the speaker said, ‘If you know, you know.’ And he was talking about uh of course the gospel of Jesus Christ, but this idea of if you know, you know, is something that we we kind of talk about with our team a little bit too.”
For Pope, that simple phrase encapsulates a profound concept: a quiet, internal conviction born not from external hype or validation, but from deep preparation, shared purpose, and unwavering belief in the truth of the process. It suggests a confidence rooted in substance, not swagger. You become confident not in yourself but in your teammates.
Faith as a foundational element
Pope has consistently led with a sense of gratitude and purpose that stems from his personal faith. It's evident in how he discusses his players, emphasizing their growth as young men, and in the culture he fosters, which values character alongside competition. He believes the college experience, even amidst modern complexities, remains a vital space for development.
While acknowledging the challenges, Pope focuses on the underlying importance of mentorship and building a foundation that helps players succeed beyond basketball. The "If you know, you know" mindset, in this context, becomes a source of internal strength and shared understanding within the team, independent of rankings or outside noise.
Trust forged through shared belief
This concept extends beyond individual belief to a real trust within the team. It’s about players trusting each other in tough moments, believing in the system, and doing the unglamorous work knowing it will pay off collectively. Against Purdue, Kentucky’s connected defensive energy and relentless effort were tangible signs of that buy-in taking hold.
The flashy results may come later, but Pope is currently focused on instilling a standard that transcends the scoreboard, even though this scoreboard read as a win. The "If you know, you know" philosophy suggests that this team doesn't need external validation to believe. They just need to understand their identity, trust the process, and live it out every single possession. That quiet conviction will be the defining characteristic of Mark Pope's Kentucky Wildcats.
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion