Kentucky basketball: Mark Pope praises team after win over Western Kentucky
Kentucky basketball coach Mark Pope praised his team’s defensive effort after they defeated Western Kentucky 87-68 Tuesday at Rupp Arena
Sam Upshaw Jr.
LEXINGTON — Basketball, like every sport, is an emotional endeavor. Keeping emotions in check — even if they’re positive displays instead of negative ones — can be easier said than done at times.
Kentucky basketball found itself in such a predicament in its blowout win over Jackson State last week.
“We found ourselves going back to the film and seeing a little bit too much celebration after some (plays). …. It’s great to celebrate your teammates, but the most important thing is sprinting back (on defense),” fifth-year senior forward Andrew Carr said.
If the Wildcats don’t notice it on their own, coach Mark Pope isn’t shy about reminding them.
“Coach does a great job of asking us questions, like, ‘Are you sure you couldn’t have sprinted back there? You think they’re just getting (easy baskets) because they’re leaking out or whatever?'” Carr said. “It’s … trying to get us to think that the situation was in our hands, and no matter what happened, we could have sprinted back and been there. So he definitely makes us aware.”
But not reacting to a highlight from a teammate? In real time?
“It’s very tough, very tough … We’ve just got to show emotion,” junior guard Otega Oweh said. “Maybe I slipped up a couple times, but it was fun.”
UK, ranked No. 8 and still unbeaten this season, will continue working on its emotional comportment, as well as its transition defense, in tonight’s nonconference matchup against Georgia State.
Follow along below with live updates from Rupp Arena:
The contest between the Wildcats and Panthers will air on SEC Network. John Schriffen (play-by-play) and Richard Hendrix (analyst) will have the call.
Authenticated subscribers can access SEC Network via TV-connected devices or by going to WatchESPN.com, the WatchESPN app or ESPN+.
You also can stream SEC Network on Fubo, which offers a free trial.
Tom Leach (play-by-play) and Jack Givens (analyst) will have the UK radio network call on 840 AM in Louisville and both 630 AM and 98.1 FM in Lexington.
You can also listen online via UKAthletics.com.
Betting odds: Kentucky is a 31½-point home favorite (-105) on BetMGM, which set the over/under at 161½ points (-110).
Record: 6-0
Georgia State went 14-17 overall last season, posting an 8-10 mark in Sun Belt Conference play. Its season ended in an 86-74 loss to Marshall in the league tournament.
The Panthers are 4-3 this season. They have wins over Ball State, Toccoa Falls College, North Carolina Central and Tulsa; its losses are to Mississippi State, Jacksonville State and Austin Peay.
Click here to see the Panthers’ full 2024-25 schedule.
Want to learn the Panthers’ roster?
Click here for player bios and more.
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Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
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