Kentucky coach Mark Pope is facing criticism after his postgame comments following a narrow 78-77 win over Northern Arizona on Friday night in Rupp Arena, a game in which the Wildcats were favored by 30 points.
Kentucky, one of college basketball’s most storied programs, had already dealt with a scare against James Madison and a 20-point loss to Kansas earlier this season. Against an 0-3 Northern Arizona squad, the Wildcats avoided an upset only after the Lumberjacks missed the front end of a couple of one-and-one free throw opportunities late in the game.
At the postgame news conference, Pope told reporters, “I hope everyone in Rupp had fun.” He went on to add, “It’s really entertaining. I think this will be a fun team to follow.”
“I hope everyone in Rupp had fun. It’s really entertaining. I think this will be a fun team to follow.” — Kentucky coach Mark Pope
The remarks drew immediate backlash from Kentucky fans and rival supporters, who saw them as out of step with a program that has won eight national championships and holds its fans to high expectations.
The win follows a difficult offseason for Pope, who lost out on top recruit Tyran Stokes and faced criticism over a social media Q&A earlier this year.
