I miss the guy who used to give us the highlights of the Coaches show for those who couldn’t listen.
I ran last night’s transcript through AI to see what it would spit out.
Hope this helps. Remember, it AI, it’s not perfect.
The show starts with a brief introduction by Tom Leach, setting the scene and mentioning the upcoming game against Vanderbilt. He highlights Kentucky's ranking in the AP poll and the strength of the SEC.
Autopsy of the Alabama Game:
Leach initiates the discussion by asking Pope for his analysis of the Alabama game. Pope emphasizes the importance of focusing on areas of improvement despite the loss.
"I try not to be negative, but we did lose that game so much so there was a lot of good. There were some things that we really spectacled."
He points to their high hit percentage as a positive sign, even though they gave up a lot of offensive rebounds.
“We gave up fifteen offensive rebounds and it was our highest hit percentage, the second highest hit percentage game of the season."
Pope acknowledges the need to reduce fouls and improve "the next level of cuts" on offense.
"We're spending an insane amount of time right now on fouls..."
"That's the next iteration of the game, and that's a space where we're showing signs that we can really grow."
Learning the SEC:
Leach brings up the fact that both Pope and his players are new to the SEC. Pope discusses the dynamic nature of the league and the challenges of adjusting to a new environment.
"I think the league is learning also. I think all of us are learning."
"The league is so dynamic, has changed so much."
He emphasizes the competitiveness of the SEC and sees it as a positive challenge.
"It's a beautiful time to be in the SEC."
Developing Offensive Plays:
Leach and Pope delve into a deeper discussion about offensive strategies, specifically the need for players to make cuts and be available for passes after a drive to the basket.
"And it ends up being a one on one, you know, in the game, in the game of basketball, the way we played where I was trying to earn power play."
Pope uses the analogy of a "power play" in hockey to explain how they try to create situations where they have a numerical advantage on offense.
"So if you if you think about if you're a hockey fan, you understand the power play is when you have somebody that's thrown in a penalty box and so you have a one person advantage on the floor."
He explains how different teams defend this strategy and how Kentucky needs to adapt.
"Alabama is the exact opposite. They live in a space a little bit more like us where they're saying, hey, we're not gonna actually let you get power plays..."
Mark Pope Discusses MLK Day:
Reflecting on Martin Luther King Jr.:
Pope shares his thoughts on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and how the team has been learning about the civil rights movement during their travels.
"It was really great to watch our guys kind of soaked that up."
He highlights a powerful quote from MLK: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that."
"And you think about the environment that he was not existing in but he was leading in and to be able to hold on to that concept, right..."
Questions from X (formerly Twitter) and the Audience:
@Joe - Toughness and Learning:
Pope responds to a tweet from @Joe about the tough Alabama game and emphasizes the importance of learning from the experience.
"It was a tough, tough day for all of us, but it was it was a great day. It was it was great basketball, and it left us feeling like, man, our ceiling is so much higher..."
Alumni Hall Fan Question - Brandon: Focus with Extra Time:
Pope addresses a question about how the team is using the extra time this week to improve. He highlights the focus on reducing fouls
“We're we're actually spent a lot of time on fouls and and that's really important, you know."
He discusses the importance of learning the "SEC whistle" and how they are analyzing trends in officiating to adjust their play.
"The truth is is that usually when you go back and watch the film that the officiating my not be what you're used to or how you would correlate things with the book, but there is some consistency to the officiating..."
Lindsay (Live Audience) - Pregame Routine and Hype Song:
Pope answers a question about his pregame routine, including whether he has a hype song. He describes his consistent routine, including a power nap and pregame meetings, but reveals he no longer uses a hype song.
“I always still I still try and squeeze it a power nap, a twenty seven minute NASA power nap."
“I do not have a hype song."
Superstitions:
* Prompted by a question about superstitions, Pope shares a humorous anecdote about his past use of Kenny G as pregame music.
I used to be super superstitious. I used to be ridiculous superstitious."
“There was actually a time where my pregame music was that Kenny G soundtrack is as embarrassing as that."
@Olivia - Women's Basketball Team:
Pope responds to a tweet from @Olivia about the women's basketball team. He expresses his support for the team and Coach Brooks, acknowledging their success.
"I am following kind of from a distance, like the incredible work that they're doing."
"I know Coach Brooks and the women's team is just crushing it..."
* Terry (Shepherdsville) - Free Throws and Kerr Kriisa Update:
Pope addresses a question about free throws and provides an update on Kerr Kriisa's injury. He acknowledges the need to improve their discipline in guarding without fouling.
"We're working hard at that. We you know, it's it's interesting because in the non conference, we're one of the top teams guarding without fouling..."
He discusses the importance of limiting fouls and its impact on the flow of the game and player rotations.
"It also is so disruptive to the flow of the game and the energy of the game, which is what we thrive on."
Pope provides an update on Kriisa's recovery, stating that they will have more information in the coming weeks.
"We're gonna know more in the next few weeks about whether this is gonna kind of turn the corner and be really quick on the quicker side, or if this is going to be a more complicated recovery."
Bob (Jamestown) - Free Throw Practice:
Pope answers a question about the time spent on free throw practice. He explains their approach, which includes game situations, skill sessions, and individual work.
"We're spending a lot of time on shooting free throws. We're trying to spend more time on not giving the other team opportunities to shoot free throws."
He emphasizes the importance of practicing free throws under pressure and in various game-like scenarios.
"And then we'll also two or three, sometimes four times a week. We'll do individual work where just one guy is coming in with a coach in the morning, and free throws are always a component of that is really important."
Silent Free Throws:
Leach follows up on the previous question by asking about the silent free throw routine at the end of shootarounds. Pope explains the reasoning behind it, emphasizing the importance of focus and concentration.
"I love that time as a prep for the game when all you hear is a ball bouncing or a ball swishing and the whole rupp arena is just dead silent."
He shares a humorous anecdote about his wife Leanne and her friends struggling to remain silent during the routine.
Darren (Bowling Green) - Shout-out and Appreciation:
Pope responds to a caller who expresses appreciation for how Pope has revitalized his wife's love for Kentucky basketball.
"Amelia, I think I read some of those texts after that. We took the l the other night. Take it easy, miss Amelia..."
He praises the players for their effort and dedication, highlighting their passion for representing Kentucky.
@Madison - Andrew's Back Injury:
Pope addresses a question about the extent of Andrew's back injury. While he can't provide specifics due to HIPAA regulations, he assures listeners that Andrew is receiving treatment and working hard to recover.
"He is, Uh, he's undergoing every treatment under the sun..."
@Caitlin - Coaching Journey:
Pope answers a question about whether he would have become a coach if he hadn't played at Kentucky. He reflects on his time as a player and credits Coach Pitino's influence for inspiring him to enter the coaching profession.
"When I was here at Kentucky, Uh, there was no way in the world I was ever going to become a coach. Never."
He acknowledges that Kentucky was always his dream coaching job.
"It's the best job in the world. It's actually the top of everybody's list. I really believe that."
@Snowman - Practicing in Rupp Arena
Pope answers a question about how often the team practices in Rupp Arena. He explains that they practice there the day before every game and have extended practices in the fall.
"We're in RUPP pretty much every the day before every game..."
Ken - Defensive Focus:
Pope elaborates on areas of focus on defense, including rebounding, ball screen defense, and rim protection.
"We're still staying with the glass. That's gonna be a work in progress all season long..."
“Ballscreen defense has been a major point of emphasis..."
* "...the efficiency of our rim protection is massively important."
I ran last night’s transcript through AI to see what it would spit out.
Hope this helps. Remember, it AI, it’s not perfect.
The show starts with a brief introduction by Tom Leach, setting the scene and mentioning the upcoming game against Vanderbilt. He highlights Kentucky's ranking in the AP poll and the strength of the SEC.
Autopsy of the Alabama Game:
Leach initiates the discussion by asking Pope for his analysis of the Alabama game. Pope emphasizes the importance of focusing on areas of improvement despite the loss.
"I try not to be negative, but we did lose that game so much so there was a lot of good. There were some things that we really spectacled."
He points to their high hit percentage as a positive sign, even though they gave up a lot of offensive rebounds.
“We gave up fifteen offensive rebounds and it was our highest hit percentage, the second highest hit percentage game of the season."
Pope acknowledges the need to reduce fouls and improve "the next level of cuts" on offense.
"We're spending an insane amount of time right now on fouls..."
"That's the next iteration of the game, and that's a space where we're showing signs that we can really grow."
Learning the SEC:
Leach brings up the fact that both Pope and his players are new to the SEC. Pope discusses the dynamic nature of the league and the challenges of adjusting to a new environment.
"I think the league is learning also. I think all of us are learning."
"The league is so dynamic, has changed so much."
He emphasizes the competitiveness of the SEC and sees it as a positive challenge.
"It's a beautiful time to be in the SEC."
Developing Offensive Plays:
Leach and Pope delve into a deeper discussion about offensive strategies, specifically the need for players to make cuts and be available for passes after a drive to the basket.
"And it ends up being a one on one, you know, in the game, in the game of basketball, the way we played where I was trying to earn power play."
Pope uses the analogy of a "power play" in hockey to explain how they try to create situations where they have a numerical advantage on offense.
"So if you if you think about if you're a hockey fan, you understand the power play is when you have somebody that's thrown in a penalty box and so you have a one person advantage on the floor."
He explains how different teams defend this strategy and how Kentucky needs to adapt.
"Alabama is the exact opposite. They live in a space a little bit more like us where they're saying, hey, we're not gonna actually let you get power plays..."
Mark Pope Discusses MLK Day:
Reflecting on Martin Luther King Jr.:
Pope shares his thoughts on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and how the team has been learning about the civil rights movement during their travels.
"It was really great to watch our guys kind of soaked that up."
He highlights a powerful quote from MLK: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that."
"And you think about the environment that he was not existing in but he was leading in and to be able to hold on to that concept, right..."
Questions from X (formerly Twitter) and the Audience:
@Joe - Toughness and Learning:
Pope responds to a tweet from @Joe about the tough Alabama game and emphasizes the importance of learning from the experience.
"It was a tough, tough day for all of us, but it was it was a great day. It was it was great basketball, and it left us feeling like, man, our ceiling is so much higher..."
Alumni Hall Fan Question - Brandon: Focus with Extra Time:
Pope addresses a question about how the team is using the extra time this week to improve. He highlights the focus on reducing fouls
“We're we're actually spent a lot of time on fouls and and that's really important, you know."
He discusses the importance of learning the "SEC whistle" and how they are analyzing trends in officiating to adjust their play.
"The truth is is that usually when you go back and watch the film that the officiating my not be what you're used to or how you would correlate things with the book, but there is some consistency to the officiating..."
Lindsay (Live Audience) - Pregame Routine and Hype Song:
Pope answers a question about his pregame routine, including whether he has a hype song. He describes his consistent routine, including a power nap and pregame meetings, but reveals he no longer uses a hype song.
“I always still I still try and squeeze it a power nap, a twenty seven minute NASA power nap."
“I do not have a hype song."
Superstitions:
* Prompted by a question about superstitions, Pope shares a humorous anecdote about his past use of Kenny G as pregame music.
I used to be super superstitious. I used to be ridiculous superstitious."
“There was actually a time where my pregame music was that Kenny G soundtrack is as embarrassing as that."
@Olivia - Women's Basketball Team:
Pope responds to a tweet from @Olivia about the women's basketball team. He expresses his support for the team and Coach Brooks, acknowledging their success.
"I am following kind of from a distance, like the incredible work that they're doing."
"I know Coach Brooks and the women's team is just crushing it..."
* Terry (Shepherdsville) - Free Throws and Kerr Kriisa Update:
Pope addresses a question about free throws and provides an update on Kerr Kriisa's injury. He acknowledges the need to improve their discipline in guarding without fouling.
"We're working hard at that. We you know, it's it's interesting because in the non conference, we're one of the top teams guarding without fouling..."
He discusses the importance of limiting fouls and its impact on the flow of the game and player rotations.
"It also is so disruptive to the flow of the game and the energy of the game, which is what we thrive on."
Pope provides an update on Kriisa's recovery, stating that they will have more information in the coming weeks.
"We're gonna know more in the next few weeks about whether this is gonna kind of turn the corner and be really quick on the quicker side, or if this is going to be a more complicated recovery."
Bob (Jamestown) - Free Throw Practice:
Pope answers a question about the time spent on free throw practice. He explains their approach, which includes game situations, skill sessions, and individual work.
"We're spending a lot of time on shooting free throws. We're trying to spend more time on not giving the other team opportunities to shoot free throws."
He emphasizes the importance of practicing free throws under pressure and in various game-like scenarios.
"And then we'll also two or three, sometimes four times a week. We'll do individual work where just one guy is coming in with a coach in the morning, and free throws are always a component of that is really important."
Silent Free Throws:
Leach follows up on the previous question by asking about the silent free throw routine at the end of shootarounds. Pope explains the reasoning behind it, emphasizing the importance of focus and concentration.
"I love that time as a prep for the game when all you hear is a ball bouncing or a ball swishing and the whole rupp arena is just dead silent."
He shares a humorous anecdote about his wife Leanne and her friends struggling to remain silent during the routine.
Darren (Bowling Green) - Shout-out and Appreciation:
Pope responds to a caller who expresses appreciation for how Pope has revitalized his wife's love for Kentucky basketball.
"Amelia, I think I read some of those texts after that. We took the l the other night. Take it easy, miss Amelia..."
He praises the players for their effort and dedication, highlighting their passion for representing Kentucky.
@Madison - Andrew's Back Injury:
Pope addresses a question about the extent of Andrew's back injury. While he can't provide specifics due to HIPAA regulations, he assures listeners that Andrew is receiving treatment and working hard to recover.
"He is, Uh, he's undergoing every treatment under the sun..."
@Caitlin - Coaching Journey:
Pope answers a question about whether he would have become a coach if he hadn't played at Kentucky. He reflects on his time as a player and credits Coach Pitino's influence for inspiring him to enter the coaching profession.
"When I was here at Kentucky, Uh, there was no way in the world I was ever going to become a coach. Never."
He acknowledges that Kentucky was always his dream coaching job.
"It's the best job in the world. It's actually the top of everybody's list. I really believe that."
@Snowman - Practicing in Rupp Arena
Pope answers a question about how often the team practices in Rupp Arena. He explains that they practice there the day before every game and have extended practices in the fall.
"We're in RUPP pretty much every the day before every game..."
Ken - Defensive Focus:
Pope elaborates on areas of focus on defense, including rebounding, ball screen defense, and rim protection.
"We're still staying with the glass. That's gonna be a work in progress all season long..."
“Ballscreen defense has been a major point of emphasis..."
* "...the efficiency of our rim protection is massively important."
