Mark Pope’s energy and passion for coaching were on full display while speaking with the media. From his appreciation of player camaraderie to his reflections on personal milestones, Pope offered heartfelt thoughts that paint a vivid picture of his dedication to the game and his players.
The Bond Between Otega Oweh and Collin Chandler
Pope’s admiration for the chemistry between Otega Oweh and Collin Chandler was evident.
"It's been super cool to watch Otega and Collin together. Otega is Collin's biggest cheerleader. Like his big brother," Pope shared. "Collin makes a good play, Otega is the first one to run over and dap him up and hype him up. Collin makes a young play, and Otega's the first to say it's okay. Having mentors on the team and these two together is pretty special for us."
The connection between the two players speaks to the culture Pope strives to create — one of mentorship, brotherhood, and unwavering support.
Collin Chandler’s Growth Journey
Pope couldn’t hide his excitement over Chandler’s development this season, emphasizing the beauty of the grind.
"I'm going to not be overstated. I'll try to understate this. But it is the best part of coaching," Pope said. "The best part of coaching is watching guys that are super committed and a ton of talent and a great work ethic and watching the process of them realize themselves a little bit."
The Kentucky coach touched on Chandler’s quiet moments of doubt and internal battles, but also his resilience and relentless drive to contribute and grow.
"The guys that keep going, that keep going, that keep going, like Collin Chandler, they get this moment. And he's got so many more moments ahead of him. He's going to be a terrific player," Pope praised.
Tackling Fan Tension and Staying Present
Pope acknowledged the tension surrounding the fanbase but stressed the importance of staying in the moment.
"It's a battle all of us face and never totally win," he admitted. "Why would we want the game to get over? Why would we want to avoid it? Why would we want to fast-forward to a post-game press conference after a win? Be here."
This philosophy of embracing the moment seemed to resonate with his team, as they demonstrated composure and focus throughout the game despite several runs from Troy.
Bench Contributions and Ball Movement
Pope was quick to praise his bench players and the team’s impressive ball movement against a tough Troy defense.
"They were important. I thought one of the biggest plays of the game was Trent's first 3," Pope noted. "Our roster right now is in tatters, and these guys are doing this just on sheer love for each other and will in terms of guys' health right now."
On the team’s impressive 23 assists on 28 made field goals, Pope explained, "It was ball protection. It was guys being diligent about being aggressive. Against a team that's disruptive, aggressive like that, that's actually the recipe and our guys answered the bell really well."
A Special Win in Milwaukee
Pope reflected on the personal significance of earning his first tournament win in Milwaukee, where he once played for the Bucks.
"I love this city. Lee Ann and I, like, really in a lot of ways began our life here," Pope said. "I was a terrible player so I was a guest on the team, but it was special."
Pope also paid tribute to Junior Bridgeman, a basketball legend in both Milwaukee and Kentucky who recently passed away, expressing deep respect for the man and his legacy.
The Meaning Behind the Win
For Pope, the victory wasn’t about personal accolades but about the players, fans, and the Kentucky program.
"Lee Ann and Shay and I and our family have this unimaginable opportunity to come try and do our best to represent this 1-of-1 program for us," Pope stated. "It just, you know, we just are blessed to have a chance to be here and do everything we can to help it work."
He also paid his respects to Vernon Hatton, another Kentucky legend who had recently passed away, describing him as a trailblazer and a beautiful human being.
Emotional Reflections
As the press conference neared its conclusion, Pope reflected on the fleeting nature of these moments, acknowledging the pain of the inevitable end but also cherishing the time spent with his team.
"When this comes to an end — hopefully it doesn't come to an end for three more weeks. When it does, it's going to be super painful for me because I get to be around these incredibly special guys," he said.
Mark Pope’s passion and humility continue to shine through as he leads Kentucky forward. His devotion to his players, the game, and the Big Blue Nation is undeniable. And as Pope would say, it’s all about staying present and embracing the journey.