Mark Pope Lightheartedly Reacts to SEC’s Even Conference Record: ‘We’ve Got to Pick This Up’
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has been at an even .500 record since the beginning of conference play, a statistic that has sparked plenty of conversation. However, Kentucky’s head coach Mark Pope had a humorous take on the situation rather than expressing concern.
During a recent broadcast, ESPN announcer Karl Ravech pointed out this balanced win-loss record, leading to questions about whether the SEC was living up to expectations. When asked about it on Thursday, Pope didn’t hesitate to respond—but in a lighthearted and sarcastic manner.
“I think it’s been a really disappointing start to conference play,” Pope said with a playful tone. “I mean, we should be doing better than just breaking even. As a conference, we need to set a higher standard. I find myself looking around at the other programs in the league like, ‘Come on, guys, we’ve got to step it up. This is embarrassing.’”
Despite his jest, Pope made it clear that he still has confidence in the SEC’s potential, emphasizing that the conference has plenty of room for growth. “I believe in this league. I think we definitely have an upside, and we’re going to work really hard to get there,” he added.
While some, including Rhode Island coach Archie Miller, may have engaged in deeper discussion about the SEC’s overall performance, Pope chose to keep things lighthearted. His remarks reflect not only his confidence in the conference’s ability to improve but also his ability to bring humor into what could be seen as a frustrating statistic for SEC fans.
