Wildcats Fans Stunned — Mark Pope Hints He Could Miss Louisville Game Because of…

In a moment that left Kentucky Wildcats fans both laughing and nervously checking their calendars, head coach Mark Pope revealed he might have jury duty scheduled during one of the most anticipated matchups of the season — the Louisville rivalry game.

During a lighthearted media session, Pope mentioned the possibility almost in passing, but it was enough to send social media into overdrive. Fans immediately flooded comment sections with a mix of disbelief, jokes, and genuine concern about what it would mean for the Wildcats’ sideline if their new head coach was forced to miss the game.

> “There’s no way they can take Coach Pope from us that week — this is Louisville!” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

While Pope seemed amused by the situation, some insiders hinted the university’s athletic department is already exploring options to ensure their head coach is present. “It’s probably nothing serious,” one source noted. “But trust me, nobody in Lexington wants to imagine that rivalry game without Mark Pope calling the shots.”

Still, the timing of the comment raised eyebrows — especially given the high expectations surrounding the Wildcats this season and the symbolic weight of the Louisville showdown.

If the tongue-in-cheek remark turns into reality, it would mark one of the most bizarre coaching absences in Kentucky basketball history. Until then, fans can only hope the jury system shows mercy — at least until the final buzzer of that rivalry clash.