Mark Pope has experienced both the greatest and worst moments as a player (1996) and 1995, respectively. He is now coaching his 2025 Kentucky team in the NCAA Tournament, drawing on all of his experiences.
The city of Milwaukee Before Friday’s NCAA Tournament start against Troy, Kentucky’s players will be turning to their coach for guidance and assurance, and no one understands their feelings more than Mark Pope.
Pope played for Rick Pitino in 1996, when his Kentucky team won the national championship after a tense six-game run. However, the UK had the greatest team in 1995 as well, but they lost to North Carolina in the Elite Eight and utterly collapsed. Regardless of what happens in the Troy game, Kentucky’s first-year coach should be able to draw from his own NCAA experiences, which have shown him both the best and the worst of times.
Pope laughed as he remarked, “You bring up all the memories,” “Thanks to Coach P, who tormented us for the following year, that North Carolina Elite Eight game will always haunt me. However, it was successful. Pope acknowledged that objective statistics can be misleading at this time of year.
I adore data points. Pope remarked, “As you are all aware, I research data points.” “But it only makes me revert to my old, dull tendencies when it comes to those things. The same old thing is happening.
March Madness is real, March is a beautiful month, and you have no control over anything. Kentucky crushed San Jose State 110-72, Virginia Tech 84-60, Utah 100-70, and Wake Forest 83-63 in their first four games to go to the Final Four in 1996. After defeating John Calipari and UMass 81-74, the Cats defeated Syracuse 76-67 to win the championship and record 34-2.
It was nearly the same in 1995, defeating Arizona State 97-73, Tulane 82-60, and Mount St. Mayer 113-67 before losing to North Carolina 74-61 in the Elite Eight for a final 28-5 score.
One was a crushing low, while the other was the ultimate high. Pope, however, asserted that there is a single constant in both circumstances.
It was nearly the same in 1995, defeating Arizona State 97-73, Tulane 82-60, and Mount St. Mayer 113-67 before losing to North Carolina 74-61 in the Elite Eight for a final 28-5 score. One was a crushing low, while the other was the ultimate high. Pope, however, asserted that there is a single constant in both circumstances.
“That doesn’t mean we’re going to win every time,” Pope said. “But it gives us the best shot, and we’re pretty good at staying focused and locked in when it matters.”
In 2025, Kentucky starts its NCAA Tournament run as the No. 3 seed in the Midwest Region.
“I’m really confident in this group,” Pope continued. “I’m fortunate to coach a team of incredibly talented players who are fully bought in and connected. When those big moments come, they’re ready — they’ve proven that all season. It makes my job easy because I trust them completely.”
A big part of that trust comes from the experience spread across the roster.
Lamont Butler, for example, helped lead San Diego State to the Final Four in 2023.
“Lamont is incredible,” Pope said. “He’s a quiet but confident leader. He doesn’t need to say much — but when he does, everyone listens. I think Lamont would echo what we’re saying: it’s all about staying locked in, shutting out distractions, and focusing on the moment. That’s how you set yourself up for success, and he leads by example.”
Ansley Almonor brings his own tournament pedigree, having played a key role in Fairleigh Dickinson’s stunning upset of No. 1 seed Purdue as a 16 seed in 2023.
“I’m just glad we’re not playing against him,” Pope joked. “He’s been there and done that. Ansley brings a wealth of experience — not just from the NCAA Tournament, but from life, from competing, and from overcoming challenges.
“That’s the beauty of a team,” Pope added. “It’s like a marriage or a family — you’re not limited to your own experiences. You gain strength from everyone’s journey. And we’re lucky to have him, just like we’re lucky to have every guy on this roster.”
Breaking: A sensation from Kentucky Finally Issues a Final Decision Regarding His Future With Otega’s opening up, fans are now split.
Otega Oweh, a talented guard for the University of Kentucky Wildcats, has publicly reaffirmed his commitment to the team, putting an end to recent rumours that he might transfer or leave. Fans have responded to this news in a variety of ways, expressing both relief and further conjecture regarding his future. The Effect of Otega Oweh on Kentucky Basketball
Before the 2024–2025 season, Oweh, a 6-foot-4 guard from Newark, New Jersey, transferred from the University of Oklahoma to Kentucky. Given his agility, defensive brilliance, and developing attacking abilities, there were great hopes when he arrived. In his second year at Oklahoma, Oweh showed notable growth, especially in his three-point shooting, which went from 25% to 37.7%. He averaged 11.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.
Oweh made a name for himself as a major contributor at Kentucky very fast. With an average of 15.7 points per game this season, he leads the club in scoring. He also averages four rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. He shoots 37.5% from beyond the arc and 52.5% from the field, demonstrating remarkable efficiency. Conjecture and Dedication
Rumours about Oweh’s future with the Wildcats surfaced after Kentucky’s shocking elimination from the NCAA tournament. Fan concern over a possible transfer was stoked by reports that other well-known programs, including as Duke, Kansas, and Texas, were interested. Oweh responded to these rumours on social media by declaring categorically, “I will stay.” I’m from Kentucky, and I think this program and Coach [Mark] Pope are doing a great job. Despite the difficulties we’ve encountered, my brothers and I are determined to persevere. We’re returning stronger, Big Blue Nation!
Fan Responses The Kentucky fan base’s reaction has been divided. Oweh’s decision was met with relief and joy by many fans, who saw it as a sign of hope for the team’s chances in the next campaign. Soon after his declaration, hashtags like #OwehStays and #BigBlueFamily went viral, and social media was inundated with expressions of support. On the other hand, some supporters are still dubious because they are worried about the early rumours and the possibility of more departures. The necessity for the program to address underlying problems that might have fuelled the rumours has come up for discussion, with a focus on player contentment and stability.
Gazing Ahead Oweh’s dedication lays the groundwork for the Wildcats’ preparation for the upcoming campaign and strengthens Kentucky’s backcourt. The team’s strategy and performance are anticipated to be greatly influenced by his leadership and adaptability on the court. Oweh’s choice, according to head coach Mark Pope, is a positive indication of the program’s tenacity and growth potential. Oweh is expected to be a key component of the Wildcats’ attempts to regain prominence in college basketball as they reassemble and plan for the forthcoming campaign. The fans’ conflicting responses underscore the intricacies of contemporary collegiate athletics, when program dynamics and player movements are closely examined.
Otega Oweh’s reaffirmation of his dedication to Kentucky has spurred conversations about the program’s future direction while also allaying present fears. As the Wildcats look to carry on their tradition and succeed in the upcoming seasons, his leadership and ongoing development will be crucial.
Kentucky vs. Troy viewing information, what to look for, picks, and the trip to the Final Four
Will Mark Pope get his first NCAA Tournament victory?
March Madness has arrived, friends!
Mark Pope, just 11 months after taking over as head coach of Kentucky basketball, has led the Wildcats to the NCAA Tournament, where they are seeded third. However, Kentucky has lost in the first round as a 3-seed or higher in two of the last three seasons, and the school has not advanced to the second weekend since 2019.
Will Pope win his first NCAA Tournament and make a run?
The Troy Trojans, seeded 14th, will be the first challenger. Troy, under by sixth-year head coach Scott Cross, is making their first NCAA Tournament participation since 2017 and its third overall.
The Trojans, dubbed a mid-major counterpart of Texas A&M, are a tough team with good defensive and rebounding averages. They’re exactly the type of club that can muddy the waters and turn this into an ugly NCAA Tournament game in which neither side builds a significant lead while scrapping for a win.
Let’s look at the matchups.
Win the rebounding battle.
The Trojans’ strong suit is offensive rebounding, which ranks fourth nationally in offensive rebounding percentage (37.7%) and twelfth in offensive rebounds per game (11.8).
Fortunately for the Wildcats, they have faced and defeated several teams who excel at offensive rebounding, including Texas A&M (1st), Florida (8th), and Duke (25th).
Kentucky will have a size edge, as Troy’s tallest starter is 6-foot-8. However, they attack the boards as a group. The Wildcats must be the team that wants it the most.
Dictate the pace
Troy is a squad that prefers to play slowly and “muck it up,” which has historically resulted in NCAA Tournament shocks. While Kentucky may have the potential to overwhelm a 14-seed, this Trojans team will most likely prevent that from happening.
Troy is a surprisingly athletic squad, but Kentucky has both size and talent advantages. impose your will on a weaker team.
Or, as Mark Fox instructs the squad, “Be the hammer, not the nail.”
Win the turnover battle.
Troy’s second-most important strength is their ability to manufacture turnovers, making their opponents to turn the ball over more than 13 times per game and averaging nine thefts per game.
However, they suffer with ball control, coughing it up more than 13 times a game on average. Expect this game to have a high turnover rate.
Taking care of the ball, which was always a strength for Kentucky, has become more difficult this season as guard injuries have increased. Over the previous nine games, Kentucky has turned the ball over an average of 12.5 times per game, including 16 against Alabama in the SEC Tournament.
As potent as the Wildcat offense is, they cannot afford to give away possessions or enable a below-average Troy squad to score easy points off mistakes.
Kentucky Wildcats Basketball’s Path to the Final Four
If you look at Kentucky’s bracket, there should be few complaints.
Houston has the poorest offense among the one-seeds. Kentucky will face one of the two seeds, Tennessee, whom they know well and have defeated twice. The Vols remain a very dangerous team, but this is still preferable to having, say, Alabama as the second seed.
McNeese and Utah State have several frightening double-digit seeds. There are no obvious’matchup nightmares’ for Kentucky. Even without Jaxson Robinson, everyone in Kentucky’s region seems to be beatable, which didn’t seem possible if Alabama, Florida, or Auburn were in the mix.
Another significant advantage is travel. From a geographical viewpoint, Milwaukee and Indianapolis are the greatest places for supporters to go to and are easily within reach for Kentucky fans, especially with Coach Pope agreeing to assist with gas money.
Is Kentucky favored to advance to the Final Four from this region? No. In fact, FanDuel offers Kentucky the fourth-best chances to win at +1000. Houston (+120) and Tennessee (+370) are well ahead, but you might be shocked to see 8-seed Gonzaga with higher odds (+800).
Have injuries harmed the ceiling of this roster? Yes. In March, it’s all about giving yourself the opportunity. Pope and the Cats have an opportunity to make some noise. And you never know when an upset will widen a region’s outlook ahead of the Big Dance.
Overall, if Kentucky makes it to the Final Four, it will most likely face Troy, Illinois in the Orlando Antigua Bowl, Tennessee in Round 3, and a Houston team that is the most probable 1-seed to miss out.
It’s daunting, but not impossible.
Players to watch include
G Tayton Conerway, 6-3, 186 lbs.
Results: 14.3 PPG
4.8 APG
4.6 RPG.
Sun Belt Player of the Year:
F Myles Rigsby (6-6, 190 lbs).
12.0 PPG
4.0 RPG;
45.4% FG.
F Thomas Dowd
6-8, 225 pounds.
9.8 PPG
6.8 RPG; 1.0 SPG.
Kentucky Basketball against Troy Trojans
Time: 7:10 PM ET, March 21st.
Location: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
TV Channel: CBS
Kevin Harlan, Dan Bonner, Stan Van Gundy, and Lauren Shehadi will announce the action.
March Madness Live is available online, but access requires a valid cable login. However, there is a free trial period of one hour.
Tom Leach and Jack Givens will handle the call on the UK Sports Radio Network.
Replay: Check local listings on CBS Sports Network and March Madness Live!
Rosters: UK | Troy
Statistics to Know: UK | TROY.
KenPom: UK, TROY
Teamsheet: UK | TROY
Will Duke basketball win the championship? The Blue Devils’ route to the NCAA Tournament championship is shown below.
Duke enters the NCAA Tournament as a dominant force, widely expected to make a deep run to the Final Four in San Antonio. The Blue Devils, ranked No. 1 in the AP poll and holding the No. 2 overall seed in the 68-team tournament, boast an impressive 31-3 record and have suffered only one loss since Thanksgiving.
Their efficiency rating, measured by KenPom, stands at an astounding 38.15—the highest in the country since Duke’s 2001 championship team finished at 37.32. The only team to ever post a higher KenPom efficiency at this stage? The 1999 Duke squad, which recorded a 43.01 efficiency but ultimately fell to Connecticut in the national championship game. While this year’s Blue Devils have positioned themselves as one of the most statistically dominant teams in recent history, there are no guarantees in March Madness, a tournament known for its unpredictability.
Duke’s journey through the East Region won’t be easy. The field includes last year’s Final Four participant, Alabama, as well as Wisconsin, the Big Ten tournament runner-up. Arizona, the No. 4 seed, ranks 14th nationally in KenPom efficiency, while No. 5 seed Oregon has compiled an impressive résumé with victories over Alabama, Texas A&M, Wisconsin, and Maryland.
Before Duke can set its sights on the Final Four, it must first navigate the early rounds. In their opening game, the Blue Devils will be heavy favorites against either American University (22-12) or Mount St. Mary’s (22-12), two No. 16 seeds that will face off in a First Four matchup in Dayton on Wednesday. The winner of that game will take on Duke at 2:50 p.m. Friday at Lenovo Center.
While Duke’s historically high KenPom rating suggests a significant mismatch, history has shown that even powerhouse teams aren’t immune to early upsets. The Blue Devils have previously fallen to lower-seeded teams in the NCAA Tournament, including a stunning 2014 loss to No. 14 seed Mercer in this same Raleigh venue.
As the tournament unfolds, Duke will need to prove its dominance on the court, overcoming the challenges and unpredictability that make March Madness one of the most thrilling spectacles in sports.
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