Recalling how SGA devastated Mark Pope and delighted BBN Mark Pope almost pulled off a huge upset in 2017, only to have a freshman SGA lead a comeback.

Prior to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander taking over, Mark Pope almost shocked Kentucky. Utah Valley, another preseason practice on Kentucky’s path to March, was billed as a purchase game. On November 10, 2017, however, someone neglected to inform Mark Pope of that.
With a team full of confidence and no expectations, Pope, a former Wildcat himself and the head coach of Utah Valley at the time, entered Rupp Arena. With rookies like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kevin Knox, and Hamidou Diallo, and a coach named John Calipari, preseason No. 5 Kentucky was predicted to blow the Wolverines away. Pope’s team, however, delivered the opening blow.

Gilgeous-Alexander composedly made two free throws with 6:24 remaining in the first half to put Kentucky ahead 23–18. Big Blue Nation was taken aback by what transpired next: a 16-2 Utah Valley surge that put the visitors ahead 34-25 at the break. Pope stalked the sideline like a man who smelt an upset, and Rupp Arena became hushed. And it was within reach for a few valuable minutes.

However, brilliance ultimately prevailed. Just before the first media timeout, the Cats rallied in the second half and took the lead again, 43-37. With 18 points on 8-for-16 shooting, Diallo spearheaded the comeback, while SGA subtly dominated the box score with 13 points, 4 assists, and 4 steals in 36 minutes. Although Utah Valley persisted and kept the score close, Kentucky won 73-63 in the end. Under the leadership of Jake Toolson and Kenneth Ogbe, Pope’s hardy team saw six players score in double figures. The Wolverines had Kentucky reeling early thanks to their patient offence and aggressive defence, despite only shooting 5 of 18 from three.
That game remains a fascinating nexus of Kentucky’s past and future years later. Pope, who won an NCAA title at UK in 1996, is back in Lexington, but this time he will be on the home bench rather than the visitors. Gilgeous-Alexander, Shai? Now a World Champion, MVP, and NBA All-Star, he is the type of player who can alter a game with a silent display of brilliance.

That evening, Pope gained respect even though he didn’t win the upset. Perhaps Mitch Barnhart had enough foresight to hire Pope seven years later because of that.