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Lexington Herald-Leader

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Apr 16

The initial reaction to Kentucky’s Mark Pope hire shows what we think is reality isn’t real

kentucky.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/john-clay/article287724230.html

Quick Glance: Enthusiastic Kentucky Fans Welcome Mark Pope as New Wildcats Coach at Rupp Arena

Mark Pope's debut game as Kentucky's coach is still over six months away. However, the manner in which fans packed Rupp Arena for his unveiling as UK's new men's basketball coach would surprise those unfamiliar with the sport's calendar, considering the 2024-25 season doesn't commence until November.

Rupp Arena accommodates 20,500 spectators. The lower section of the venue features 10,000 theater-style seats, all of which were occupied. The upper section, with an additional 10,500 seats, took longer to fill, but by the time Pope was formally introduced at 4:54 p.m. on Sunday, not a single seat was vacant.

All of this to greet back a beloved figure.

"We witness these introductory press conferences frequently," Pope remarked. "No individual worldwide has ever witnessed a spectacle like this."

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Lexington Herald-Leader

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Apr 08

Who should Kentucky target to replace John Calipari? One name should top UK’s list

kentucky.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/mark-story/article287477470.html

Quick Glance: Arkansas Saves Kentucky and John Calipari

John Calipari and Kentucky were on the brink of giving it one more shot. Arkansas saved them from themselves - and that's good for everyone.

The relationship between the 65-year-old Hall of Fame coach and the elite program was not just dull but also burdensome. When athletic director Mitch Barnhart and Calipari sat for a local television interview last month to assure fans that they were on the same page and committed to getting the Wildcats back on top, it seemed more like a hostage video.

Arkansas and its billionaire supporters unexpectedly intervened to recruit the coach nobody else pursued and offer him a compensation beyond what others could provide. Everyone benefits. Perhaps not the Razorbacks - time will tell - but certainly Calipari and Kentucky. He was in desperate need of a fresh start, as were the Wildcats. After failing to reach the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive year, the individual who led Kentucky to seven Elite Eights, four Final Fours, and a national title in his initial decade came to a realization.

This is not intended to diminish Calipari's past achievements at Kentucky. He revitalized the Cats, contributed to their national title, and kept UK in contention for a championship nearly every year during his remarkable first ten years. He served as a positive influence in the state, demonstrating his philanthropy in times of crisis. This is about recognizing that since 2020, Calipari was tarnishing this legacy. It's about acknowledging that both sides knew the journey had come to an end and it was time to step away. Just when it seemed that Calipari and Kentucky were considering another attempt, Arkansas intervened and rescued them from themselves.

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Reed Sheppard departing Kentucky basketball for NBA after one season with Wildcats

courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2024/04/18/reed-sheppard-kentucky-basketball-nba-john-calipari/73014590007/

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Apr 12

Kentucky to hire Mark Pope: BYU coach, 1996 Wildcats player agrees to take over for John Calipari

cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/kentucky-to-hire-mark-pope-byu-coach-1996-wildcats-player-agrees-to-take-over-for-john-calipari/

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The Athletic Apr 12

Kentucky accused of ‘complicity’ as former swim coach allegedly committed sexual violence

theathletic.com/5410705/2024/04/12/kentucky-swimming-lars-jorgensen-sexual-assault-allegations/

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Apr 11

Who will be Kentucky's next coach? With Scott Drew off board, Billy Donovan is favorite

courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2024/04/11/kentucky-basketball-coaching-candidates-billy-donovan-uk-scott-drew-baylor/73289149007/

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Apr 11

Brown: Kentucky coach needs to be accessible in way John Calipari wasn't down the stretch

courier-journal.com/story/sports/columnists/c-l-brown/2024/04/11/kentucky-basketball-coaching-search-uk-coach-candidates-john-calipari/73233600007/

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Apr 12

Rick Pitino endorses Mark Pope's hire as Kentucky men's basketball coach: Ex-Kentucky men's basketball coach Rick Pitino gave a glowing review of Mark Pope ...

courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2024/04/12/rick-pitino-mark-pope-kentucky-basketball-predictions-nil/73302561007/

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The Athletic Apr 09

UConn’s Dan Hurley on Kentucky job: ‘No way’ he would entertain it: UConn AD David Benedict said the program would do "everything we can to remain in position to ...

theathletic.com/5401267/2024/04/09/dan-hurley-kentucky-coach-response-uconn/

Quick Glance: Dan Hurley Confronts Purdue's Zach Edey Over Hard Screen on UConn

During Monday's national championship game, Dan Hurley expressed discontent with Zach Edey, making his feelings known to the Purdue center.

Hurley was observed engaging with the Boilermakers star after Edey knocked down UConn's Stephon Castle with a hard screen.

Edey seemed to push Castle during the screen, frustrating Hurley as Purdue's key player avoided a potentially costly foul.

Edey did not accumulate a foul in the first half, contributing 16 of the Boilermakers' 30 points, along with five rebounds and two blocks.

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OU women's gymnastics team falls in semifinals, ending Sooners' NCAA championship reign

oklahoman.com/story/sports/college/sooners/2024/04/18/ou-womens-gymnastics-ncaa-championships-score-updates-leaders-oklahoma-sooners/73373978007/

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Apr 11

How Arkansas hooked John Calipari and why he was ready to leave Kentucky: "This new opportunity will rejuvenate Cal," said Tom Izzo of John Calipari's new job at ...

theathletic.com/5405889/2024/04/10/john-calipari-arkansas-head-coach-inside-story/