Kentucky’s upcoming showdown with Kansas is already one of the most anticipated games of the early season. However, there is one important storyline Wildcats fans should not overlook: Mark Pope has already proven that he knows how to beat Bill Self.
The Wildcats will face the Jayhawks Tuesday night at 8:30 p.m. ET in the 2026 Champions Classic at the United Center in Chicago. It will be Pope’s first time facing Kansas as Kentucky’s head coach, but this will not be his first coaching battle against Self.
That previous experience could give Kentucky an important advantage heading into this matchup.
**Pope Has Already Beaten Bill Self on His Home Floor**
During his time at BYU, Pope delivered an impressive 76-68 victory over Kansas on February 27, 2024, at Allen Fieldhouse. That was no ordinary road win. Kansas had entered the contest riding a 19-game home winning streak.
Pope’s team found a way to end that run by executing offensively and taking advantage of its opportunities from beyond the three-point line.
BYU knocked down 13 of 34 three-point attempts, while Kansas managed just three makes on 15 attempts. Dallin Hall and Jaxson Robinson combined for 36 points, helping the Cougars pull off the upset.
The victory demonstrated that Pope could prepare his team to compete against one of college basketball’s most respected coaches, even in an extremely difficult environment.
**Bill Self Knows What Pope Can Bring**
Self will undoubtedly understand that Pope is not a coach who should be underestimated. Their previous meetings provide some familiarity with each other’s coaching philosophies and approaches.
Of course, Kansas won their other meeting, defeating BYU 71-56 in the 2019 Maui Invitational semifinals. That result shows the challenge Kentucky will face, but Pope’s 2024 victory proves he can find ways to trouble Self’s teams.
Following Kentucky’s recent win over James Madison, Pope also spoke highly of Self, praising his ability to evolve and reinvent himself as the game changes.
That respect between the two coaches adds another interesting layer to Tuesday’s matchup.
**Kentucky Has a Chance to Change the Recent History**
The Wildcats enter this matchup with a 24-12 advantage in the all-time series. However, Kansas has won five of the last seven meetings, including the previous two.
The last time these programs met was in the 2023 Champions Classic, when Kansas defeated John Calipari’s Kentucky team 89-84.
This time, Pope gets an opportunity to write a different story.
His experience against Self, particularly the victory at Allen Fieldhouse, gives Kentucky a valuable reference point. He understands the kind of adjustments required to compete against Kansas, and that familiarity could prove important when the game gets tight.
**This Is a Big Test for Mark Pope**
Kentucky cannot rely on coaching history alone to win this game. The Wildcats must defend consistently, control the basketball and take advantage of their scoring opportunities.
Kansas remains a major challenge, and Self has plenty of experience preparing his teams for high-profile games.
Still, Pope has already shown that he can beat him. Now, he has the opportunity to do it again, this time representing Kentucky on one of college basketball’s biggest stages.
For Wildcats fans, that previous BYU victory is one important reason to believe Tuesday’s showdown could be very interesting.
