Mark Pope’s first season as Kentucky’s head coach has been nothing short of impressive. He has already secured major wins over Louisville, Duke, and Tennessee, showing his ability to succeed in rivalry matchups. Despite the challenges, he continues to find ways to win, proving that Kentucky is back in serious contention.
But was Pope a hooper in his prime? A recently resurfaced mixtape suggests he was.
Mark Pope’s Coaching Success at Kentucky
Beyond his coaching, an old mixtape of Mark Pope’s college highlights recently resurfaced online, drawing attention from fans. The video is captioned, “F*** it, Mark Pope mixtape”
F*** it, Mark Pope mixtape pic.twitter.com/b5zNuZuMCn
— Barstool Kentucky (@BarstoolUK) February 12, 2025
The video showcased his playing days, leading to enthusiastic reactions from fans. A number of comments flooded the post, showing excitement for the current Kentucky coach’s past on-court skills.
One said, “Look at my demon, lol.” Another commented, “This s*** is such a flex.”
“Let’s goooooo!!!!!!” another commenter said.
Other fans complimented his shooting skills.
“POPE IS HOPE!!” and “Certified #shooter” other comments read.
Kentucky’s roster for next season is somehow shaping up to be even stronger. Pope’s team is set to be a major force with top high school recruits joining the program and the potential return of guard Otega Oweh, along with transfer portal additions.
His ability to develop talent and implement a winning strategy suggests that Kentucky will be a formidable opponent in the SEC for years to come.
However, Pope’s true test will come in the postseason. While his team has had regular-season success, March Madness will be the ultimate challenge. If they can stay healthy and peak at the right time, Kentucky could make a deep tournament run.
Mark Pope Highlights Kentucky’s Secret Weapon
Following back-to-back losses, the Wildcats needed a win against South Carolina at Rupp Arena.
KEEP READING: Pope’s Kentucky Pulls Off Major Feat Which Even John Calipari Couldn’t Do With the Wildcats
The game was a tough challenge, but freshman forward Trent Noah provided a much-needed spark off the bench. Although his numbers weren’t eye-catching, his impact on both ends of the floor was undeniable.
Pope praised Noah’s energy and consistency, recognizing how valuable he was to the team’s success.
“I thought Trent was really solid,” Pope said. “I thought he was really really solid. His energy never wavers, and that’s a real gift as a coach trying to piece together a game to know you know exactly what you are going to get when you put Trent on the floor.
“That includes some young mistakes and includes some places where he’s uncomfortable,” he con tinued. “But his energy is always the same. It’s always the same every day in practice. And his focus is always the same and he’s been a real gift.”
Despite playing just 13 minutes, Noah contributed five points, five rebounds, one assist, and a three-pointer. His efforts on defense and timely scoring helped Kentucky secure a much-needed victory.
Kentucky will next be in action on Saturday when they travel to Austin to take on the Texas Longhorns.
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