Most coaches ease into a season, they want to get a few easy wins to build some confidence. Mark Pope, however, is running straight toward the fire. With the NCAA now allowing teams to schedule Division I opponents for preseason exhibitions, Pope has eagerly set up clashes with national powerhouses, including the preseason No. 1 team in the country. For him, these early tests aren’t a risk, they’re a necessity for building the program Mark Pope wants to build. Forging his team in fire in order to get rid of their faults.

“I was, you know, we thought that this rule was going to pass last year… I just…I love it,” Pope said with enthusiasm. His excitement stems from a desire to maximize every opportunity for his team to learn and grow.

“Man, can we get to 41? I would like to get to 41 games now,” he joked. He believes that more time with his players gives them the best shot at going to go chase their dreams in the NBA, and also maximizing their time in college.

Gathering Data for the Long Haul

Facing elite teams like Purdue and a rising Georgetown program under Ed Cooley is about more than just a tune-up. Pope sees it as an invaluable data-gathering mission.

“It’s going to test us before the season even starts in a really special way. And we need that,” he explained. “It gives us great data points to grow and and and figure things out and challenge us. So, I love it.”

Pope isn’t worried about a potential early loss; he’s focused on the long-term benefits. “The one great thing about doing this before the season starts is you get all that time to reconstruct,” he noted. You can edit what needs to be edited, but unless you are willing to go against someone near your equal, you may never know.

For a program with championship-or-bust expectations, this trial-by-fire approach is Pope’s way of ensuring his team is battle-tested and ready for the pressures of March. Mark Pope wants to play the best teams there are, BBN is right there with him. Now the question is, can they win them?

Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion