Former Kentucky coach Tubby Smith knows a thing or two about pressure — and about leading the Wildcats with both dignity and success. That’s why his recent comments about Mark Pope struck such a chord with Big Blue Nation.
“I’m Always Pulling for Kentucky”
“I’m so impressed with the character of the men that are leading our Kentucky Wildcats,” Smith told Sources Say ahead of Big Blue Madness. “I say ‘our,’ because Kentucky is where I spent most of my time… I’m always pulling for Kentucky, and I’m pulling for Coach Brooks and Coach Pope.”
Smith praised Pope’s ability to build culture, teach, and connect — all traits that defined Tubby’s own time in Lexington. “It’s a genuine 24-hour-a-day, 365-days-a-year job,” Smith said. “You can’t change who you are. You may adapt, but you have to be yourself.”
A Nod to Last Season’s Resilience
Smith also reflected on Pope’s inaugural season — one that may have fallen short of expectations but still showed clear signs of growth and grit.
“Getting past the second round, that alone with nine new players… if the kids don’t get hurt, he probably wins the league,” Smith said.
He’s not wrong. Injuries derailed Kentucky’s rhythm at key moments. Losing Jaxson Robinson late in the year hurt their spacing and scoring punch. Lamont Butler was never the same after his shoulder injury, and his backup Kerr Krissa was sidelined after December.
A Message of Trust
Through it all, Tubby’s message to Kentucky fans was simple — and powerful:
“Believe. Trust the system. Anticipate, on and off the court.”
Coming from a national champion, that’s no small endorsement. Pope’s Kentucky might look different from Smith’s, but the message remains timeless: play for each other, stay authentic, and never forget what the jersey means.
