Kentucky HC issues challenge to fans ahead of NCAA Tournament
Kentucky will begin its quest for another national championship when it faces Troy in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday, and head coach Mark Pope is hoping to see plenty of Wildcat fans in attendance.
After drawing a No. 3 seed in the tournament, Kentucky will face 14-seed Troy at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on Friday night. That venue is located about a seven-hour drive from Lexington.
During his UK Sports Network radio show on Monday, Pope encouraged members of Big Blue Nation to get in their cars and make the trip.
“I’m gonna say something I’m gonna regret, but it’s only a seven-hour drive. If anybody’s having trouble with gas money, hit me up. Let’s go,” Pope said. “Let’s get all of BBN out there. I’m not gonna tell you how to hit me up because I’m nervous about how people are about to hit me up.
“I had this ridiculous notion one night after a game to buy everybody that was left in the arena ice cream. It cost me a little bit more than I anticipated, but it’s all family, baby. It’s all family. Let’s go.”
Later in the show, Pope said the gas money offer was “not a good call on my part.” Apparently fans immediately started flooding him with emails asking for gas money, including one Kentucky student who was in Florida for spring break but wanted to drive to Milwaukee for the game.
Pope won a national championship as a player at Kentucky in 1996. He led the Wildcats to 22-11 record in his first season as the head coach at his alma mater this year.
Fans have to love Pope’s enthusiasm. He is clearly excited about the possibility of leading Kentucky on a deep tournament run.
