The Kentucky coach, who played two seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, got his first NCAA Tournament victory in the Wildcats’ 76-57 victory over 14th-seeded Troy on Friday night.
The Wildcats, the No. 3 seed in the Midwest Region, won its first opening-round game in two years and erased the misery of last year’s stunning opening-round loss to Oakland. That setback resulted in an off-season coaching change, setting the stage for Pope’s eventual return to his alma mater.
“The trick is, it’s not about us at all,” Pope said. “It’s just not — it’s not. So I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about it. I spend a lot of time thinking about our guys, where this is their one shot to do this — most of our guys wearing a Kentucky jersey.
His players were glad Pope reached a coaching milestone in his first season as Kentucky’s coach. He was 0-2 in two March Madness games while coaching at BYU.
“I’m sure it’s the first of many,” Kentucky freshman guard Collin Chandler said. “It’s fun to celebrate and be a part of it with coach Pope. It’s the first of many for him and we’re grateful to be part of the first one.”
Lamont Butler agreed, and added that the “first game has always been the toughest.”
Kentucky (23-11) wore down the Trojans and delivered the decisive blow in the second half with a monstrous 16-0 run. Freshman guard Collin Chandler scored all nine of his points during the spurt, including a pair of 3-pointers and three free throws. Brandon Garrison added six points during the run with a 3-pointer and a pair of baskets in the paint.
Otega Oweh, who scored just two points in a quarterfinal loss to Alabama in the Southeastern Conference Tournament, led Kentucky with 20 points, while Andrew Carr, Koby Brea and Garrison added 13 points apiece. Oweh and Carr carried the load for the Wildcats in the first half and combined for 21 of Kentucky’s 35 points in the half.
Kentucky plays Illinois on Sunday at 4:15 p.m. with a berth in the Sweet 16 at stake. The Cats have not reached that round since 2019. The Illini defeated Xavier 86-73 Friday night.
(Photo Les Nicholson)
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