There’s no doubt the rivalry between Kentucky and Louisville has been reignited. Mark Pope and Pat Kelsey are bringing a new element of heat to the Bluegrass Rivalry, and it should make for an incredible
atmosphere on November 11th when the two teams play at the KFC Yum! Center.
So, what really happened between Pope and Kelsey during a recruiting visit to see Taylen Kinney?
“I want so badly to have fun with this, guys. I just don’t…I’m not sure what direction to go with it,” Pope said at UK’s media day. “I do know, because all of it…I’m just gonna make all of it up. It was really a big nothing, but I want it to be something. I can’t decide if I should make up a story or not.
“It’s just…listen, the beauty of this deal is the rivalries, right? I think Indiana is going to be way better, I think Louisville is getting way better. I think our in-state rivals, our in-conference rivals continue to get way better. I love every second of it, it’s how it’s supposed to be. This game is great. North Carolina is going to be better this year, and they roll into Rupp.”
Needless to say, November 11th will be a fun night when the Cards host the Cats.
“I love when the competition is elite-level, and that’s what happens,” said Pope. “It gets really fun and salty and competitive. I also am grateful for these incredible coaches. We’re at a fun time right now where there are great coaches that are putting their whole heart and soul into this project, and sometimes that could spill over, and it should spill over sometimes.
“If it never spills over, that means you’re not in it fully, fully in it with your whole heart and soul. If you’re fully in it, then sometimes you step out of bounds. That’s fun for fans, it’s fun for coaches and it’s fun for everybody.”
The new season can’t get here fast enough.
