Mark Pope's post game quotes after special comeback against Gonzaga

The Wildcats delivered a late-night thriller on the west coast, storming back from an 18-point second-half deficit to defeat No. 6 Gonzaga 90-89 in overtime. Kentucky’s resolve turned what looked like a blowout into one of the most memorable wins of Mark Pope’s young tenure, but for the head coach, the postgame focus was all about his players and the fans who cheered them on.

Pope’s pride in his team’s effort was evident, particularly when he reflected on Jaxson Robinson’s unexpected heroics. Thrust into the point guard role after Kerr Kriisa went down with a calf injury, Robinson took over. “Jaxson just put on his cape,” Pope said in his postgame interview with Andy Katz. “He just put on his cape and said, ‘Listen, I’ll go do this.’” Robinson was just a different player in the second half, stepping up in moments that demanded leadership and poise.

Kriisa, who was seen grabbing his calf late in the second half, added to Kentucky’s adversity. Pope addressed the injury cautiously, noting, “Kerr’s got a little foot/ankle issue; we will get some tests done tomorrow.” Combined with Butler’s absence, Kentucky was forced to lean heavily on its depth, making the win even more impressive.

Beyond the performance on the court, Pope gave special recognition to the fans who traveled across the country to support the team. “You know these guys drove all the way out here from Lexington. Gotta love it,” he remarked. It was a testament to Big Blue Nation’s undying support, even on a night when many fans might have gone to bed after a lackluster first half.

Pope quipped, “Late-night game. The people who went to sleep at halftime are gonna be so sad.” And he’s right—Kentucky’s 43-42 rebounding edge when Gonzaga averages +10 on the boards , 48 points in the paint to Gonzaga's 44, and 83.3% free-throw shooting were defining stats that punctuated their effort as they scored 54 points in the second half and OT. Those fans are going to wake up happy though.

While the win was a team effort, Pope’s words showcased a coach who believes in his players and treasures the passion of Kentucky’s fanbase. For Big Blue Nation, this was more than a victory—it was a reaffirmation of what makes Kentucky basketball special.

Kentucky is definitely back.