When we say the Mark Pope Era is running high, games like this are exactly what we mean. The Saturday night at Rupp Arena was more than thrilling for the Blue Nation. Proving all the pre-game predictions right, the Wildcats snatched a hard-fought 106-100 win over the previously unbeaten Florida Gators in their SEC opener. But while Pope couldn’t be prouder of his team’s grit, he’s not shy about pointing out areas for improvement.
Why? Because this coach is playing the long game. He is thinking not just about victories, but about building a squad capable of a deep tournament run in his very first year. “We learned a lot,” the head coach reflected after the game. “We learned that we’ve got to get a lot more physical. We learned that it’s going to be like a life-or-death fight on the boards every single night. We learned that we’re going to have to be really creative changing the way we guard throughout the game,” he added.
The HC emphasized how his team must adapt defensively, praising his players for their ability to adjust mid-game.
He didn’t hold back on praising their opponent’s performance, and Alijah Martin was at the top of his list. He called Martin’s game “unbelievable,” pointing out how tough it was to contain him. There was even a moment when he thought Martin might never miss another shot.
“He was terrific,” Pope said, highlighting a stretch where coaches debated whether to force Martin inside the three-point line, only to realize he’d been sinking mid-range shots just as easily. And Martin’s stats back up Pope’s awe. Scoring 26 points, with 20 of those in the second half, Martin shot an impressive 52.9% from the field and grabbed five rebounds.
If you’re wondering why he was such a threat, let us tell you that it’s no shocker. The senior has been averaging 15+ points per game. His consistency makes him a cornerstone for Florida, but Kentucky managed to edge him and his team out just enough. For Pope, it’s not just about the here and now.
He’s got his eyes on the bigger picture and SEC ambitions. “We’re learning how fun this is,” he said during the post-game conference, his voice full of optimism. “We only get to do this 17 more times. We just can’t waste a minute, man. And I hope BBN doesn’t miss a second of it. It’s going to be great times and hard times, but they’re all going to be growing times.” Pope’s belief in his squad is palpable.
And how can he not after this victory? In the first 10 minutes, Florida dominated the boards. Kentucky seemed caught off guard outrebounded 12-2 during that stretch. But, as Pope’s teams often do, they adapted. Over the remainder of the half, the Wildcats flipped the script, closing the first half with a 52-42 lead.
The second half was a different beast altogether. Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr. and Alijah Martin cut Kentucky’s lead to one point at 70-69. A timely timeout from Florida coach Todd Golden looked like it might shift the momentum. But Kentucky had other plans.
Lamont Butler’s clutch 3-pointer as the shot clock wound down, followed by his free throws, helped Kentucky hold on for the win. But the highlight was Koby Brea’s contribution off the bench (dropping 23 points & hitting seven 3-pointers). The Wildcats’ ability to adjust under pressure was the difference-maker. Gators faced its first loss of the season, and Kentucky’s performance almost chased down a 26-year-old record.
Mark Pope & Co. near miss a 26-year-old record
The Wildcats’ 52 first-half points were their most against Florida since 1999 when they put up 55 in a single half. Close, but not quite. Still, this game serves as a reminder that records are made to be broken, especially with a squad like this. And they might shatter it anytime soon. However, what makes this achievement even more impressive is the context.
This is Pope’s first year, and he’s leading a team that’s a patchwork of transfers, freshmen, and just one returning player. Kentucky basketball without John Calipari felt unimaginable, yet Pope is proving the doubters wrong, piece by piece. His grounded self and constant realization and calling out the team’s lacks have helped them through the season.
This team has secured victories over top-10 teams like Duke and Gonzaga. This latest triumph against Florida feels like another step in the Wildcats’ dominance. And as we know, they haven’t had a truly great run in years, but this season could mark their big comeback. With Pope at the helm, the Big Blue Nation is confident and hopeful.