In our first post game press conference with Kentucky’s new head basketball coach, he was full of answers and excitement as he just got done coaching his team to a 71-point win in their first outing.
Hosting in-state Kentucky Wesleyan, it was no match as this offense led by over thirty points just barely a fourth into the game. A first half fueled by Otega Oweh, this game was nearly over from the start.
Mark Pope was clear that this night wasn’t about him when being asked how he felt after his first time on that sideline against an opponent as the coach.
“I think this is special for all of us. This is really never going to be about me. I’m the most blessed person in the world that I get to be back here as a part of BBN. I think I’m really blessed that I get to coach this group of guys.”
The team as a whole combined for 123 points with 8 players reaching double figures, but Pope says this team only cares about one thing, and that’s winning games.
“We’re deadly serious about winning. Winning matters.” He continued in his comment with, “We are here to win, this is Kentucky. The first time we don’t win a game you guys are going to burn my house down, right?”
He says as a team they don’t pay attention to the individual stats but mainly on what goal they’re trying to accomplish, which always defaults back to winning games. He acknowledges there were nerves and high expectations heading into it, but pinpoints his focus on his guys “getting better” and dialing in “what we are trying to do in the moment.”
The Wildcats’ margin of victory tonight was the third largest in program history for an exhibition, winning by seventy-one points. Also, their combined 21 made three-pointers would have tied the school record if not for it being an exhibition, so I’d imagine it’s going to be hard to find anyone who has complaints after this first round of Mark Pope basketball.
To listen to his full post game press conference, check our YouTube channel below where we have that posted as well as interviews with Trent Noah, Koby Brea, and Otega Oweh.
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