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"Worked miracles here over the decades": Mark Pope responds to Anthony Davis and Shai Gilgeous Alexander supporting Kentucky

Kentucky is off to a strong start in their first season under Mark Pope, and two of their former players have taken notice.

ESPN interviewed LA Lakers big man Anthony Davis, who played for Kentucky from 2011-12, and OKC Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a Wildcat from 2017-18, following their games against the Philadelphia 76ers on Nov. 8 and Lakers on Nov. 29. Both were happy to see Kentucky performing at a high level with multiple victories against ranked opponents to start the campaign.

"They looking good right now, that's what I'm saying, looking really good," Davis said. "So they looking really good. Obviously, it's tough, you know, for me to see [John Calipari] leave, but you know, it was his time. You know, it probably was his time to move on. And, you know, I'm loving the coach, I'm loving the team. So, you know, hopefully we can, you know, we can get banner number nine this year."
"Yes sir. Go Cats!" Gilgeous-Alexander said.

Pope had his chance to respond to the NBA stars' reactions following the Wildcats' 78-67 victory over Colgate on Wednesday to improve to 9-1.

"It is incredibly important to us that we continue to make all the players and coaches that worked miracles here over the decades, that we make those guys proud because we get to enjoy this because of what they did," Pope said, via SportsCenter. "This was built by them and this Kentucky family, man. There's an enormous pride in what this is that spans through generation after generation, and it's our turn now to carry this torch.
"And it is a ton of brilliantly beautiful pressure to live up to the expectations here and that's what we're trying to do. I'm glad those guys are enjoying it, it's really important us to make them happy."

How Mark Pope and Kentucky performed vs Colgate

It was a close game at halftime with No. 5-ranked Kentucky leading 38-36, but Mark Pope made enough tweaks and the Wildcats took control in the second half by outscoring their opponents 40-31.

Five players scored in double-digits for the Wildcats, as Koby Brea led the way with 17 points and five rebounds on 6 of 12 shooting, including 5 of 8 from beyond the arc. Otega Oweh and Amari Williams scored 15 points each while Andrew Carr and Jaxson Robinson recorded 11.

The Kentucky Wildcats will aim for their 10th victory when they host Louisville at Rupp Arena on Saturday at 5:15 p.m. ET.

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