Kentucky head coach Mark Pope looked emotionally drained after Tuesday’s lopsided loss to Michigan State — an unusual sight for a coach typically full of energy and optimism. But after the Wildcats roared back with a dominant 88–46 win over Loyola Maryland on Friday, Pope made it clear that his fire hasn’t dimmed one bit.
When a reporter asked him about his demeanor following the Michigan State defeat, Pope quickly lightened the mood with a smile.
“Are you asking if I’m sick?” he joked, before sharpening his tone. “We need to play better, and we will play better. We will stop at nothing to get better. There’s nothing that will stop us from improving. We won’t sleep, we won’t eat — we won’t do anything until we get better.”
Pope went on to describe Kentucky’s current grind as both a challenge and a privilege.
“This is the greatest opportunity with a great group of guys,” he said. “We’re destined to do something really special, and we’re far from that right now — which isn’t acceptable. But this, right here, is my happy space. The determination to get down in the mud, to grow, to push every button, to try every new thing, and to do it relentlessly… that’s how you build something great.”
Despite a disappointing 0–2 record against ranked opponents this season — a stark contrast to last year’s record-setting eight wins over AP Top 15 teams — Pope made one thing clear: Kentucky’s standard hasn’t changed.
“We’re not leaving this process,” he said. “We’re in it, and we’re going to push until we make real progress. I’m better than okay. This is my heaven.”
A Rotation Shake-Up
Part of that push for improvement came Friday night in the form of lineup changes. Pope moved junior big man Brandon Garrison to the bench, giving freshman center Malachi Moreno his first career start. Moreno delivered an impressive debut, helping set the tone on both ends of the floor.
Pope also awarded transfer guard Kam Williams his first start as a Wildcat — and Williams made the most of it. In a season-high 26 minutes, he posted 13 points, nine rebounds, and four assists, showcasing the energy and versatility Kentucky has been missing.
Williams may return to a bench role when forward Mouhamed Dioubate’s ankle injury heals, but his performance all but guarantees expanded minutes going forward.
What’s Next for Kentucky
Kentucky will look to build on its momentum when it faces Tennessee Tech on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET. After that, the Wildcats take a major step up in competition with a December 2 showdown against North Carolina in the ACC/SEC Men’s Challenge.
If Pope’s words — and his team’s response — are any indication, Kentucky has no plans of letting another high-profile opportunity slip away.
