Mark Pope wins first NCAA Tournament game, puts Kentucky basketball on verge of Sweet 16
MILWAUKEE — Less than a week ago, mere minutes after Kentucky basketball’s NCAA Tournament opponent and destination were announced, coach Mark Pope laughed off any talk about himself.
Specifically, what it would mean to earn his first win in the Big Dance after losing his first two appearances, both at BYU. Discussing that topic, Pope said, was “just dumb.”
For what it’s worth, it’s no longer talk now: Pope’s players handed him his first March Madness victory — in convincing fashion, no less — Friday night at Fiserv Forum, as third-seeded UK cruised to a 76-57 win over 14-seed Troy.
With the victory, the Wildcats now are just one step away from the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament. A place they haven’t been since 2019.
Pope’s players were humbled to become part of his personal history.
“Coach Pope is a very special individual. … All the talks me and him had,” sophomore forward Brandon Garrison said, “it was just special getting him his first tournament win.”
As Pope often does, he deflected the spotlight from himself.
“I spend a lot of time thinking about our guys, where this is their one shot to do this,” said Pope, who was a member of UK’s 1996 national title-winning team. “Most of our guys wearing a Kentucky jersey … understand how much it means to our fans and this community. That’s the stuff that’s really important to us.
“We just are blessed to have a chance to be here and do everything we can to help it work.”
Never one to shy away from delving into self-deprecation, Pope joked all Friday’s win meant was that UK athletics director Mitch Barnhart “is not going to fire me until Saturday or Sunday or whenever we play next.”
It’s that — what’s ahead, not behind — Pope truly treasures.
“(This first NCAA win) means something to me because we’re doing our job. It means something to me and to the guys, because that means we get at least 48 hours more together,” Pope said. “When this comes to an end — hopefully it doesn’t come to an end for three more weeks (because) when it does, it’s going to be super painful for me.”
Players, Pope said, who “have literally given everything” they can to him. And to the program they hold so dear.
“What these guys have overcome just trying to actually get on to the court is pretty special,” he said. “So we’re trying to do this as long as we can.”
Coincidentally, an extended stay is an accurate measure of how long Pope’s players expect him to reign in Lexington. Which can only mean one thing.
“I’m sure it’s the first of many,” freshman guard Collin Chandler said, referring to Friday’s noteworthy achievement for his coach. “It’s fun to celebrate and be part of it.”
