Hello HOB. I'll be following along with the CMP Show tonight and sharing all the main talking points here for those of you who may not be able to listen along live. Show is underway here at 6 ET. Stay tuned...
* Disappointed for Kerr needing surgery, but what a great film moment for our team to see what he did after breaking a bone in his foot, getting back on D and challenging a shot. Expect him back “sooner than later.” Says Kerr also gave a legendary pregame speech in the locker room, one of the best he’s ever heard. Can’t repeat most of it. 😂
* Jaxson Robinson was fantastic sliding into that backup PG role. Found it to be harder than expected, especially the defensive aspect, but did a nice job with it.
* Asked about whether the team needs a "go-to" bucket man or if the system creates the buckets... Pope says there are times in the game you'd like to put the ball in player A, B, or C's hands and let them go to work -- and we have actions for that -- but bottom line is we've got everything we need to get to where we need to go.
* Tom hasn't asked about Lamont Butler, unless I just completely missed it. (UPDATE: Butler topic comes up later. Tom says Lamont is doing better, but has not returned to the practice floor yet. But sounded upbeat about his progress.)
* Caller says he needs a dictionary to keep up with everything they're talking about through 9 games. Pope laughs. Says he's thought about having a moment during each show to discuss some of their terminology and explain them to the fans. "I'm gonna have the radio crew put out a glossary." Tom offers one: What's the "Pop Rule." It's from NBA legendary coach Popavich. You have 1.5 seconds to decide what you're doing when the ball hits your hands. It's inherent to what we do. It gets you actively thinking ahead during the game, anticipating their next move.
* On the Louisville rivalry... Can't recall much about those games they played back then, but he can remember what the arenas were like, the energy. Said he remembers competing against Samaki Walker... Says they love playing in games like these. They're really special, but we try to prepare the same way for every game. They're hoping to play their best game of the year on Wednesday against Colgate. Then they'll treat UofL the same way. We have to stay consistent in that all year long. I know that's boring and cliche to fans, but it's also true for a winning team.
* Shared a story about Bill Keightley when Pitino first arrived at UK. Said before they went out on the floor, Pitino couldn't find Mr. Wildcat. Was wondering what happened to him. Went back in the locker room, and he was sitting in the shower, on the floor in his suit, almost in tears, with a bottle of bourbon trying to take the stress off. It was at that point that Pitino learned how big this game was. LOL
* SEC has been "insanity." There's only a couple of teams that aren't receiving votes for the Top 25. It's going to be a beautiful year to go out and compete. Every game will be an absolute war.
* Disappointed for Kerr needing surgery, but what a great film moment for our team to see what he did after breaking a bone in his foot, getting back on D and challenging a shot. Expect him back “sooner than later.” Says Kerr also gave a legendary pregame speech in the locker room, one of the best he’s ever heard. Can’t repeat most of it. 😂
* Jaxson Robinson was fantastic sliding into that backup PG role. Found it to be harder than expected, especially the defensive aspect, but did a nice job with it.
* Asked about whether the team needs a "go-to" bucket man or if the system creates the buckets... Pope says there are times in the game you'd like to put the ball in player A, B, or C's hands and let them go to work -- and we have actions for that -- but bottom line is we've got everything we need to get to where we need to go.
* Tom hasn't asked about Lamont Butler, unless I just completely missed it. (UPDATE: Butler topic comes up later. Tom says Lamont is doing better, but has not returned to the practice floor yet. But sounded upbeat about his progress.)
* Caller says he needs a dictionary to keep up with everything they're talking about through 9 games. Pope laughs. Says he's thought about having a moment during each show to discuss some of their terminology and explain them to the fans. "I'm gonna have the radio crew put out a glossary." Tom offers one: What's the "Pop Rule." It's from NBA legendary coach Popavich. You have 1.5 seconds to decide what you're doing when the ball hits your hands. It's inherent to what we do. It gets you actively thinking ahead during the game, anticipating their next move.
* On the Louisville rivalry... Can't recall much about those games they played back then, but he can remember what the arenas were like, the energy. Said he remembers competing against Samaki Walker... Says they love playing in games like these. They're really special, but we try to prepare the same way for every game. They're hoping to play their best game of the year on Wednesday against Colgate. Then they'll treat UofL the same way. We have to stay consistent in that all year long. I know that's boring and cliche to fans, but it's also true for a winning team.
* Shared a story about Bill Keightley when Pitino first arrived at UK. Said before they went out on the floor, Pitino couldn't find Mr. Wildcat. Was wondering what happened to him. Went back in the locker room, and he was sitting in the shower, on the floor in his suit, almost in tears, with a bottle of bourbon trying to take the stress off. It was at that point that Pitino learned how big this game was. LOL
* SEC has been "insanity." There's only a couple of teams that aren't receiving votes for the Top 25. It's going to be a beautiful year to go out and compete. Every game will be an absolute war.
