* Pope: Troy is really good. Veteran group. They have high minutes continuity, unlike Cats. Their guard is really good. One of the top steals guys in the country. Good shooters (from 2). They'll be a big challenge.
* Caller asks who is primed for a breakout game in the tournament. Pope says the whole roster is ready and capable. Thinks different guys could and probably will step up from game to game and have that "one shining moment."
* Caller asks what was his favorite part of his first season and his favorite win... Pope says he's not sure he could pick just one. "It's the body of work, the journey that's so great."
* Interestingly, Pope says the team did a self-scout on themselves yesterday. Wishes he could have recorded it to share with the BBN. Fun exercise, breaking everyone down like they do the teams they play.
* Lister asks how to keep the players fresh with a quick turnaround in the tournament... They work hard at it. Not just with training but with rehabilitation.
* Pope on getting BBN to Milwaukee: "I know I'm gonna get myself in trouble here, but it's only a 7-hour drive, and if anyone needs gas money, hit me up."
* Caller asks if they'll use any triangle-and-2 defense in NCAAs... Pope says they actually showed some of it vs. Miss. State this season. Worked for a big, but after 6 possessions, State figured it out a bit. Maybe a good change-up for a short span. It gets tricky if a guy or two are making shots. It's designed to be effective against a team that doesn't have anyone shooting it well at the time.
* Pope says Troy will play some unique defenses. One of them is like a 1-3-1 has a guy around the nail and then three guys will be matchup up.
* Caller asks how the team's mindset is after losing by so much in the SEC Tourney vs. Bama... Pope says it was a "debacle... a brutal night for us." Walked in short-handed and finished it even more short-handed. A lot of heart in the first half, battled them. Frustrating, disappointing performance in the second half "for a thousand reasons." Tough to watch on film. Had an intense, truth-telling team meeting, and wrapped up with a "healing" session. There was a diminished pain and anguish after that, turning to a real excitement to get back to work. "Right now, we are in an unbelievable space and can't wait to get started in the NCAA Tournament."
* Pope jokes that #GasMoneyForMilwaukee may not have been his best idea. LOL. Says his assistant is getting flooded with requests.
* On Malachi Moreno being named Kenutcky Mr. Basketball... Very cool. Noted that his school's vice principal is in the crowd with them tonight. Tried to get her to guarantee a state title. They're on a quite a run, Pope said of Great Crossing. Pope says his daughter, Avery, called during the break from San Salvador on her Mission trip. She's only allowed to call every so often, so it was the best part of his day. Then adds the second best part of his day has been Malachi Moreno. Proud of him. Mr. Basketball, going to Sweet 16 to play for a championship. Went to his school recently and saw him working with special-needs students. Moreno wanted Pope to experience the greatness of his fellow students. Pope said, "Wow. We've got a really special basketball player coming to the University of Kentucky and an incredible human being. Big Blue Nation is going to fall in love with him."
* Pope closes with "There's nothing like wearing this jersey in the NCAA Tournament... Let's do it."
* Caller asks who is primed for a breakout game in the tournament. Pope says the whole roster is ready and capable. Thinks different guys could and probably will step up from game to game and have that "one shining moment."
* Caller asks what was his favorite part of his first season and his favorite win... Pope says he's not sure he could pick just one. "It's the body of work, the journey that's so great."
* Interestingly, Pope says the team did a self-scout on themselves yesterday. Wishes he could have recorded it to share with the BBN. Fun exercise, breaking everyone down like they do the teams they play.
* Lister asks how to keep the players fresh with a quick turnaround in the tournament... They work hard at it. Not just with training but with rehabilitation.
* Pope on getting BBN to Milwaukee: "I know I'm gonna get myself in trouble here, but it's only a 7-hour drive, and if anyone needs gas money, hit me up."
* Caller asks if they'll use any triangle-and-2 defense in NCAAs... Pope says they actually showed some of it vs. Miss. State this season. Worked for a big, but after 6 possessions, State figured it out a bit. Maybe a good change-up for a short span. It gets tricky if a guy or two are making shots. It's designed to be effective against a team that doesn't have anyone shooting it well at the time.
* Pope says Troy will play some unique defenses. One of them is like a 1-3-1 has a guy around the nail and then three guys will be matchup up.
* Caller asks how the team's mindset is after losing by so much in the SEC Tourney vs. Bama... Pope says it was a "debacle... a brutal night for us." Walked in short-handed and finished it even more short-handed. A lot of heart in the first half, battled them. Frustrating, disappointing performance in the second half "for a thousand reasons." Tough to watch on film. Had an intense, truth-telling team meeting, and wrapped up with a "healing" session. There was a diminished pain and anguish after that, turning to a real excitement to get back to work. "Right now, we are in an unbelievable space and can't wait to get started in the NCAA Tournament."
* Pope jokes that #GasMoneyForMilwaukee may not have been his best idea. LOL. Says his assistant is getting flooded with requests.
* On Malachi Moreno being named Kenutcky Mr. Basketball... Very cool. Noted that his school's vice principal is in the crowd with them tonight. Tried to get her to guarantee a state title. They're on a quite a run, Pope said of Great Crossing. Pope says his daughter, Avery, called during the break from San Salvador on her Mission trip. She's only allowed to call every so often, so it was the best part of his day. Then adds the second best part of his day has been Malachi Moreno. Proud of him. Mr. Basketball, going to Sweet 16 to play for a championship. Went to his school recently and saw him working with special-needs students. Moreno wanted Pope to experience the greatness of his fellow students. Pope said, "Wow. We've got a really special basketball player coming to the University of Kentucky and an incredible human being. Big Blue Nation is going to fall in love with him."
* Pope closes with "There's nothing like wearing this jersey in the NCAA Tournament... Let's do it."
