Mark Pope's record in close games is something that people can point to and say: That is elite. Everyone remembers the Duke game last season, when he called the Cooper Flagg spin and the Cats got the stop to seal the win. That was a masterclass in late-game management.
But it wasn't just that game. Mark Pope has shined in games decided by a single possession.
The clutch gene is real
Here is the stat that should give you hope in March:
In games decided by 3 points or less, Mark Pope is 6-1 since taking over at Kentucky.
That is elite-level winning when the pressure is on. He pushes the right buttons, draws up the right plays, and gets his guys to execute.
If you expand that out to games decided by 5 points or less, Pope is 10-6. Not bad, but you can see the record slipping a bit there. The further you get from "do or die" moments, the more mortal the team looks, which is a conundrum.
Mark Pope called out EXACTLY what Cooper Flagg was about to do before the game-winning steal 👀🤯
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) November 18, 2024
(🎥: @KentuckyMBB) pic.twitter.com/bWc5hu0uCc
Kentucky has a blowout problem
The big issue, and the thing that drives this fanbase crazy, is the blowouts. Since becoming Kentucky's head coach, Pope has lost by 10 or more points 12 times.
That is just insane for a program of this caliber.
That kind of volatility is what has made his tenure feel so uneven. There are some incredibly high highs (beating Duke, sweeping Tennessee 2x) and some really puzzling, non-competitive losses(Ohio State, Ole Miss, Michigan State, Gonzaga).
The next step
The question for BBN is simple: Would you trade some of the highs if the lows weren't so low? I think that is probably the next step in the tenure of Mark Pope. He has to raise the floor. We know he can coach in the final minute. We know he can beat the best teams in the country.
But stabilizing the program so we aren't getting run out of the gym on random Tuesday nights? That is the next hurdle.
How do you get there? That is the question he is being paid to answer. If he figures that out, he can be here for a really long time.
If not? The roller coaster is going to keep making us sick.