Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope recently shared his thoughts on the referees in the SEC, and his comments are making waves among fans. Pope, who is in his first season as the Wildcats’ head coach, was asked about the referees on his radio show Monday night.
Pope began by acknowledging that he initially felt like referees were more likely to respond to coaches who threw tantrums on the sidelines. However, he said that he has since evolved his approach and now believes in making referees aware of issues on the floor in a constructive way.
“Sometimes, a whisper is way more effective and way more moving than a tantrum,” Pope said. “It’s just kind of picking and choosing.”
Pope also praised the referees in the SEC, saying that they are “good people” who have a difficult job. He acknowledged that referees are human beings who can be reactive to different things, but he doesn’t believe that they have an axe to grind with Kentucky or any other team.
The Wildcats and their fans have had some grievances with referees this season, particularly when it comes to replay reviews and fouls. However, Pope’s comments suggest that he and his staff are focused on moving forward and preparing for the postseason.
Kentucky is set to begin the SEC Tournament on Thursday night in Nashville, and Pope’s comments are a welcome sign for fans who are eager to see the Wildcats make a deep run in the tournament.
