Tubby Smith Impressed with the Character Pope and Brooks bring to Kentucky

Tubby Smith cut down the nets in San Antonio following his first season as the Kentucky head basketball coach. The National Champion believes both the men’s and women’s programs are in great hands with Mark Pope and Kenny Brooks.

“I’m so impressed with the character of the men that are leading our Kentucky Wildcats,” Smith told Jack Pilgrim and Zack Geoghegan on Sources Say ahead of Saturday’s Big Blue Madness. “I say our, because Kentucky is where I spent most of my time. Twelve years I was here, two years as an assistant coach, and ten years as a head coach. I’m always pulling for Kentucky, and I’m pulling for Coach Brooks and Coach Pope.”

It’s not just that Pope and Brooks are good coaches. They’ve brought in talented players who are picking up exactly what the coaches are putting down.

“I’m so impressed with the level of teaching and coaching and how their players communicate with each other, how they respond to their teaching and coaching,” Smith added.

Only a select few know the demands of this job like Orlando “Tubby” Smith. He held that command post for a decade. Mark Pope’s experience in the program makes him acutely aware of what it takes to have success in Lexington.

“It’s a genuine 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (job). You know you’re representing the best basketball program in America, and all you can think about is, ‘What can I do today, what have I done today to help Lexington, to make Kentucky basketball be better?’… You can’t change who you are. You may adapt, but you have to be yourself. I think the most important thing is developing that philosophy, that system, and that culture and sticking to it.”

It worked pretty well for Pope in year one. Kentucky knocked off eight Top 15 teams, the most ever in a college basketball season. The Wildcats reached the Sweet 16, and Tubby believes it’s just the beginning.

“I think he’s been excellent, done a remarkable job last year,” Tubby said. “Getting past the second round, that alone with nine new players. I don’t think he had any returning players. To be able to mold them into a competitive team, if the kids don’t get hurt during the season, he would’ve probably won the league.”

Before Big Blue Madness completely took over Lexington, the former Kentucky head coach got to spend time watching the men’s and women’s teams practice. He’s excited to see just how far these teams can go this season. Before leaving, he left Mark Pope’s team with a message.

“Believe. Trust the system. I told ’em yesterday, you gotta be able to anticipate, not just on the court, but off the court as well. You gotta visualize and see things before they happen.”

If the players see No. 9 in their dreams, Big Blue Nation may soon see that banner hanging from Rupp Arena, alongside the one Tubby hung in 1998.

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