As the final buzzer echoed through Rupp Arena, the Kentucky Wildcats celebrated more than just a dominant 31-point victory over LSU. The night marked the last home game for six senior Wildcats, and head coach Mark Pope took center stage to bid farewell to a passionate Big Blue Nation.
It was a moment filled with reflection, gratitude, and excitement for what lies ahead in the postseason.
Mark Pope’s 2024-25 Farewell to Big Blue Nation
Standing at midcourt with his team surrounding him, Pope addressed the fans with an emotional farewell, acknowledging how bittersweet the night was for the Wildcats.
“We are so sad that this is the last time that we get to do this with you in Rupp Arena this season,” Pope told the roaring crowd.
Kentucky’s seniors (and Mark Pope) say goodbye to BBN at Rupp Arena for 2024-25 pic.twitter.com/QUEE9ddlZJ
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) March 5, 2025
The first-year Kentucky head coach, who played for the Wildcats in the 1990s, took a moment to reflect on the accomplishments of this season’s squad. Despite being a newly assembled team, the Wildcats had exceeded expectations and carved out a place in Kentucky basketball history.
“A group that came together in a very short period of time,” Pope said proudly. “Played the third-hardest schedule in all of college basketball. In the top five in Quad 1 wins of any team in college basketball. And no team, not even my ’96 team, won more top-15 games in a season than this Kentucky Basketball team.”
One by one, Kentucky’s six seniors took the microphone to share heartfelt messages with the BBN, a fanbase that had embraced them throughout the season. Andrew Carr was the first to speak, expressing his appreciation for the unforgettable experience of playing for Kentucky.
“Thank you to all of BBN from the bottom of my heart. I’m a Wildcat for life. I’ll be back, and go Cats,” Carr said.
Next up was Lamont Butler, the team’s starting point guard. With gratitude and faith, he acknowledged how special it was to be part of this team.
“What’s up, BBN? First and foremost, I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, just for giving me this opportunity to be here and be in this amazing environment with all of you guys and around this special group of players and coaches. It’s a dream come true for me, and we’re not done yet.”
Jaxson Robinson, despite dealing with an unfortunate injury that required wrist surgery, shared his appreciation for the support he received from the fans.
“I just want to take the time to shout out my teammates, my coaches, my parents, and, most of all, BBN. This team appreciates your support, so thank you for a great ride this year, and we can’t wait to finish it out in the postseason.”
A Lasting Legacy at Kentucky
Following Robinson, Ansley Almonor took his turn to thank the Kentucky faithful. He emphasized the unparalleled passion of the Wildcats’ fanbase and how it made his experience at Kentucky truly special.
“I want to thank all of you guys because you guys are the reason why Kentucky is what it is. You guys make this program so special. Your support is one of a kind. You don’t see it anywhere. You know, I come from a small, little town in New York. A lot of people didn’t think I’d make it here, so I just want to thank God for allowing me to make it to this level and chase number nine.”
Koby Brea followed with a message of determination, ensuring the fans that Kentucky was far from finished with its season.
“First of all, I want to thank God for the opportunity to be here with you all. Most importantly, I want to thank you all for accepting me with open arms since I got to campus. It’s been a hell of a year, and we have a lot more to do, so let’s get it.”
Amari Williams, known as one of the quieter players on the team, received a loud ovation before speaking. With just a few words, he let the fans know how much their support had meant to him.
“I don’t really speak that much, but I just want to say thank you all. Everywhere we go around the city, you guys always show love. It means a lot to me and my teammates, so thank you.”
As the emotions settled, Pope closed the ceremony with a reminder of what the team had accomplished and what was still left to achieve. He recapped some of the most memorable moments of the season, including significant wins over Duke, Gonzaga, and rival Louisville. But he made it clear that the Wildcats weren’t done just yet.
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“Beating Duke, super special. On the road at Gonzaga, super special. Of course, we beat Louisville. But we’ve got a lot more to do! So we’ll see you in Missouri on Saturday. We’ll see you guys in Nashville and then the NCAA Tournament.”
With the regular season behind them, Kentucky now sets its sights on postseason play. The Wildcats have proven they can compete with the best, and as they prepare for the SEC Tournament and March Madness, they hope to make this farewell tour one to remember.
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