About this episode
Kentucky head coach Mark Pope joins Jon Rothstein to discuss his relationship with Rick Pitino and what it will be like going up against his former head coach on Saturday, his impressions of this Kentucky team and the potential the Wildcats have, as well as an update on Jayden Quaintance and how he could change Kentucky once back healthy. (0:00) Intro (0:18) When was the first time Mark Pope met Rick Pitino? (0:43) What it was like to have Rick Pitino coaching him versus recruiting him (2:00) How Rick Pitino changed him as a person (3:00) On calling Rick Pitino when he dropped out of medical school (4:20) Why Rick Pitino visiting him at Utah Valley was one of the 'greatest trips' of his life (6:16) On the surrealness of going up against his former coach (7:41) On wanting to bring Rick Pitino back to Kentucky (8:44) His impressions of St. John's (9:32) What makes Kentucky so special this year (10:30) Kentucky's 'unlimited potential' and what the hardest moment has been so far this year (12:01) Where is Jaland Lowe at in terms of health? (13:02) What Kentucky needs to do to shoot the ball better (13:48) How Mouhamed Dioubate helps them embrace 'smash mouth basketball' (14:43) The status of Jayden Quaintance (16:37) How the return of Jayden Quaintance will change Kentucky (17:29) Mark Pope's ideal rotation? 14 players (18:48) One memorable win and one loss he can't shake (19:36) One recruit he wanted but didn't land (22:14) Biggest long-term keys for the Wildcats To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices