'It'll feel very much like Bob Knight Indiana': Mark Pope and Kentucky set to welcome in new era of Indiana

Indiana and Kentucky return to the hardwood on Saturday night in a revival of its rivalry that has been dormant for quite some time. The two teams haven’t played in the regular season since the infamous ‘Wat-shot’ over a decade ago.

Traditionally, it was a home-and-home series in the 90s and 00s that graced the TVs of millions and for the thousands who were in attendance, no matter where the game was. Now, Saturday’s newest installment of the series is a reminder of the great history of the past — and where both programs are at individually and the scope of college basketball in today’s era.

“Yeah, I think it’s a great series,” Indiana head coach Darian DeVries said on Thursday. “I hope we can continue this forever and we got — this is the first year of a four-game stretch. So I think it’s great for both programs. I think it’s great for college basketball. I think it’s something that certainly both our programs are excited about.And I know both our fan bases are excited about. 

>> Want all of your Indiana news in one place? Sign up for the daily TheHoosier.com newsletter! <<

Indiana comes into this matchup with a new head who has never experienced the rivalry in person. And, wasn’t included in the resumption of the series.

On the other hand, Mark Pope heads Kentucky in year two after experiencing two games in the rivalry as a player. Saturday will be the first as head coach.

“I love this game, I love all of these games and this is Indiana – Kentucky,” Pope said on Friday. “What they’re doing over there right now is awesome.”

Pope played under Rick Pitino and faced off against an Indiana team led by Bob Knight — two of the greatest coaches and teachers. Heading into Saturday’s game, he sees part of Knight’s Indiana teams in this current one.

“When you watch them play, it’ll feel very much like Bob Knight Indiana because they’re playing with unbelievable movement and motion and with a high IQ,” Pope said. “Even that part, the style of play, is pretty inspiring.”

The last time these two programs played in the regular season were vastly different circumstances than on Saturday. Kentucky was the No. 1 team in the country and Indiana was trying to establish itself as a team that was back.

Both teams are unranked heading into Saturday, with Kentucky at 6-4 and Indiana at 8-2. Indiana has yet to have a notable non-conference win and Kentucky has lost to every notable opponent on its roster. Both teams need this game.

“I don’t know if we need any more juice to return to the rivalry,” Pope said. “But it’s for, I think — listen, the urgency and desperation of every game, no matter what game it is at Kentucky, is always the same. It’s always a live or die scenario. And, and that’s why it’s great here.”

Since the Wat-shot back in the 2011-12 season, Indiana has played Kentucky twice in the NCAA Tournament — games being split. But, no matter the moment or the environment, fans, coaches and players will welcome this type of game back on the calendar.

“These are great non-conference games that we want to be a part of,” DeVries said. “And we want to play.”

Kentucky leads the overall series 32-25, with Indiana just 3-8 all-time in Lexington. The last time Indiana won in Lexington was in 1988.

Not yet a member of TheHoosier?  Join our community for just $1 and get a complimentary year of The Athletic included with your membership. Join here!

Make sure to follow and subscribe to all TheHoosier social media platforms so you never miss any of our content including X, Facebook, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Pocket Casts.