“That one in the backyard is a little more pesky”- Mark Pope jokingly comments on“mole” Louisville after 93-85 win
After a few back-and-forths in the lead-up to the game, Mark Pope and the No. 5 Kentucky Wildcats got the last word over the Louisville Cardinals, walking away with a 93-85 victory on Saturday, Dec. 14. After the game, Pope joked about his previous jab toward the Cardinals—when he referred to an irritating mole in his backyard as 'The Cardinal'.
"One mole down, one to go, guys. That one in the backyard is a little more pesky. It’s a problem,” Pope said. "That is really frustrating, but we will work on it. My guys know it. It’s an honor to be a part of this great game."
He added:
"It’s really special to be able to kind of put their name in the book and imprint it. It had everything that you would expect of this game, it was really special."
The jab at Louisville earlier in the season reignited the rivalry between the two programs, even with both teams under new head coaches. On Saturday, the two rivals got the chance to settle their differences on the court at Rupp Arena, with Pope's troops claiming bragging nights.
Mark Pope and Kentucky take down rivals Louisville
Mark Pope has been impressive in his first season at the helm in Kentucky, with his team earning a win over their rivals most recently.
In the victory, Kentucky shot an impressive 32-55 (58.2%) from the field and 11-21 (52.4%) from three-point range. Pope’s Wildcats played like a well-oiled machine, dishing out 23 assists compared to Louisville’s eight.
Fifth-year senior point guard Lamont Butler was outstanding, scoring a career-high 33 points while going a perfect 10-10 from the floor, including six three-pointers.
Although Mark Pope didn’t miss the chance to joke about Kentucky’s rival, he also showed respect to Louisville after the game.
"I’m incredibly proud of our guys. It was a classic rivalry game,” Pope said. "Louisville, hats off to them. I mean, those guys are playing so hard right now and doing it shorthanded and Pat is doing an unbelievable job coaching that group."
"They got a ton of fight and a ton of heart and leadership and seniority, and they had guys making big plays and making shots, which they haven’t done as much lately. They should be super proud. And our guys just kept fighting and got the win. Couldn’t be happier for our guys."
Mark Pope and the Wildcats will now travel to New York to take on Ohio State in the CBS Sports Classic at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, Dec. 21.