All I heard was Mark Pope couldn’t do it. Look at what he did at Utah Valley and BYU. This was a bad hire. Then I heard look at Arkansas and BYU, Kentucky would never beat Illinois. They would never be able to get stops or be healthy enough or just lose because they weren’t good. Instead Mark Pope told every single person to fuck off and delivered a perfect game. You know why Kentucky won that game? Defense.
Amari Williams does so many vital things for Kentucky.
He’s the best defensive rebounder in the country, he’s an elite passing big, and he has the best per-possession stats on the team.
He had 8 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 blocks, and a steal today.
And Lamont Butler is just a winner. His shoulder is hanging on by a thread, he’s basically playing in football shoulder pads. When the game was on the line he chased down a steal, and-1 for Garrison. That’s all heart. That’s what this team is. It’s not full of talent like we’re used to seeing. It’s not even a team who was put together until the summer. And this game was a little bit of everyone. Andrew Carr was a monster. Collin Chandler drilled some big threes. Trent Noah came in and hit a much needed layup. Ansley Almonor drilled a corner three when we most needed it. It was the perfect team game from the ultimate Kentucky team.
Mark Pope has exceeded any and all hype the moment he got off that bus in Rupp Arena with the 1996 title team on Masters Sunday last year.
People doubted Mark Pope. People said Kentucky can’t defend. See you in the Sweet 16. I love this team. I love this program.
Goddamn it feels good to be back in year 1. Any doubters of Mark Pope have been silenced completely.
