Adding a win over the Texas Longhorns was never going to be easy for the Kentucky Wildcats. Still, the Wildcats managed 85-80, largely thanks to the

Collin Chandler, Kentucky

Kentucky Wildcats Basketball

Kentucky

Mark Pope details how much Collin Chandler battled through to play vs. Texas

Kentucky's journey in year two under Mark Pope has not been what anybody hoped or expected, coming off the highs of his debut campaign and a wildly

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KSR Basketball

Cut Down to Grow Back Stronger: The Parable Powering Kentucky’s Resurgence

We don't need to wait on the SEC Availability Report this time around -- Jayden Quaintance will NOT play in Kentucky's next game.  Head coach Mark

Kentucky forward Jayden Quaintance

Mark Pope says Jayden Quaintance will NOT play Wednesday vs. Texas

Kentucky is beginning to earn its reputation as a second-half juggernaut following back-to-back comeback victories against LSU and No. 24 Tennessee.

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Mark Pope shares pride in Kentucky’s resilience amid adversity

In its first game played since point guard Jaland Lowe was shut down for the season due to a shoulder injury, Kentucky stunned LSU 75-74 Wednesday

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Mark Pope opens up on Jaland Lowe's impact on Kentucky despite season-ending injury

Press conferences sure are a lot more fun after a win.   Following Kentucky's buzzer-beating, 75-74 road win over LSU on Wednesday night, head coach

WATCH: Mark Pope, Malachi Moreno, and Denzel Aberdeen recap Kentucky's win over LSU

It's been a difficult season for the Kentucky Wildcats, which opened the season ranked No. 9 in the AP Preseason Poll. Mark Pope's team, lauded as a

Kentucky men's basketball head coach Mark Pope - Crawford Ifland, Kentucky Sports Radio

Mark Pope explains how Kentucky has been impacted by Jaland Lowe, Jayden Quaintance injuries

Andrija Jelavić didn't stuff the stat sheet in Kentucky's 24-point win over Mississippi State on Saturday, but he made a real impact on the game, so

Andrija Jelavić - Crawford Ifland, Kentucky Sports Radio

Mark Pope wants Andrija Jelavić to continue to step up

After only playing for three minutes in Kentucky's win over Mississippi State on Saturday, Wildcats guard Jaland Lowe left the game with a shoulder

Jayden Quaintance and Jaland Lowe celebrate during Kentucky's win over St. John's - Photo by Mont Dawson, Kentucky Sports Radio

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Jaland Lowe, Jayden Quaintance injury updates: Mark Pope reveals latest on status of Kentucky duo

During Saturday's 24-point win over Mississippi State, Kentucky's offense looked more like the team we saw last season than what we'd seen through

Kentucky Wildcats center Malachi Moreno (24) defends against Mississippi State Bulldogs forward Achor Achor (99) during the college basketball game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky. Photo by Crawford Ifland, Kentucky Sports Radio/On3

Mark Pope says the game was 'begging' Kentucky to run offense through Malachi Moreno vs. MSU

Another Sunday in January has arrived. A cold one is expected throughout the Bluegrass. Luckily, a hot run by both big programs on Saturday night at

Will Stein Mark Pope

KSR Today: Victory Sunday on Transfer Portal Day 10

Mark Pope has been stressing to his players to make the right play. MP4T -- Make Plays For Teammates -- has been a mantra he's continually preached

Mark Pope, Kentucky Wildcats Men's Basketball vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs at Rupp Arena on January 10, 2026. Photo by Crawford Ifland, Kentucky Sports Radio/On3

Kentucky's 21 assists vs. Miss State were easily the most against a high-major team this season

Kentucky managed to hold Mississippi State to just 68 points during Saturday's 24-point win inside Rupp Arena.   That marked the second-fewest points

Mark Pope (left) and Mikhail McLean - Crawford Ifland, Kentucky Sports Radio

Mark Pope credits Mikhail McLean for coming up with defensive game plan vs. Mississippi State

Mark Pope isn't pretending that this season has been anything but a near disaster for the Kentucky men's basketball program.   Isaac Trotter of CBS

Mark Pope - Crawford Ifland, Kentucky Sports Radio

CBS Sports gives Mark Pope a D grade so far this season; he calls that 'generous'

Kentucky men's basketball is not in a good spot right now. Head coach Mark Pope spoke with reporters on Friday to provide his thoughts on the current

Mark Pope pre-Mississippi State press conference

WATCH: Mark Pope talks emotions after Mizzou loss, previews Mississippi State

Kentucky's season completely went off the rails Wednesday night as it suffered its first ever home loss to Missouri 73-68 in Lexington. Mark Pope's

Mark-Pope-sends-a-message-to-Kentucky-fans-amid-Wildcats-struggles

Mark Pope sends a message to Kentucky fans amid Wildcats' struggles

During his weekly call-in show on Monday, Kentucky men's basketball head coach Mark Pope teased the idea of Jayden Quaintance playing at the 4 spot.

Jayden Quaintance, Kentucky

Mark Pope is experimenting more with playing Jayden Quaintance at the 4

For those interested in a high-level battle between First Team All-SEC competitors and KenPom top-20 foes to open conference play, you're likely to

Alabama guard Labaron Philon vs. St. John's (Wendell Cruz / Imagn Images)

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Alabama's Labaron Philon 'pretty likely' to play vs. Kentucky -- and Mark Pope knows he'll be 'really hard to contain'

After nearly a year of speculation, Kentucky's throwback denim jerseys are officially returning for the Wildcats' Feb. 7 matchup against SEC rival

Kentucky-announces-return-of-throwback-denim-jerseys-for-game-against-Tennessee

Kentucky announces return of throwback denim jerseys for game against Tennessee

Kentucky guard Jaland Lowe didn't play in the Wildcats' 99-85 win over Bellarmine on Tuesday due to his lingering shoulder injury. After the game,

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Jaland Lowe injury update: Mark Pope offers latest on status after Bellarmine game

Kentucky forward Jayden Quaintance made his season debut in the Wildcats' 78-66 win over St. John's on Saturday. Quaintance was on a minutes

Kentucky Wildcats forward Jayden Quaintance (21) practices shooting before the game on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky. Photo by Crawford Ifland, Kentucky Sports Radio/On3.

Jayden Quaintance injury update: Mark Pope describes usage plan for Kentucky forward after return

Mark Pope was the team captain of Rick Pitino's 1996 National Championship team at Kentucky. After 29 years, Pope and Pitino stepped onto the same

Feb 25, 2024; New York, New York, USA; St. John's Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino walks off the court after defeating the Creighton Bluejays 80-66 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

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On3 Basketball

Rick Pitino describes feeling of coaching against Mark Pope, Kentucky: 'I didn't have any emotion at all'

St. John's vs. Kentucky was a student vs. teacher matchup. Typically, these seem to go the way of the experienced coach in sports. But another trend

St. John's head coach Rick Pitino

Kentucky continues to own Rick Pitino

Kentucky fans and media alike were quick to criticize Mark Pope early this season after the Wildcats suffered four loss against ranked opponents.

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Rick Pitino claims Kentucky media members 'need to learn a lesson' after previous criticisms of Wildcats

Saturday was a huge day for Big Blue Nation. Mark Pope's squad was finally fully healthy and playing in the final marquee non-conference game of the

News for Mark Pope

Current Pos.

Head Coach

Salary

-

Age

53

Alma Mater

Kentucky / 1996

Hometown

Bellevue, WA