One of the best Kentucky wins in recent memory and the first signature wins of the Mark Pope era.
The Big Blue Nation is euphoric right now after the Kentucky Wildcats took down the Duke Blue Devils Tuesday evening.
Kentucky battled Duke in the Champions Classic from State Farm Arena in Atlanta, widely known as Catlanta around the Bluegrass. While the Cats got out to a fast start, they reeled that back in and took a nine-point deficit into the half.
Thanks to some key adjustments by Mark Pope, the Cats outscored Duke 40-26 in the second half and won 77-72. Seven players scored six or more for Pope’s team, and three hit double figures. This team has it all, from veteran leadership to unselfish playmaking offensively.
As for those around college hoops, at least one certainly wasn’t surprised by this win. That one is Rick Pitino, who congratulated his former captain.
Congrats Cap. No surprise to me
— Rick Pitino (@RealPitino) November 13, 2024
Pope started his collegiate career with Washington from 1991-93 but eventually joined the Wildcats from 1994-96. The Indiana Pacers selected him 52nd overall in the 1996 NBA Draft. After a long professional career, Pope eventually broke into the coaching ranks in 2009, and he’s been soaring ever since.
This is easily his biggest win as a head coach, and hopefully, more will follow this season.