Reflections on a new era of Kentucky Basketball after 36 hours in Lexington

I’ve made the trip to Lexington and back for Kentucky Basketball more times than I can count, but something felt different as I cruised down the Bluegrass Parkway on Wednesday afternoon. I drove up Tuesday morning for Media Day, spent the night with family in Danville (after attending a very chilly soccer game in Garrard County), and was back in the basketball offices on Wednesday for some interviews for an upcoming feature. Before I dig into that, I wanted to share some thoughts from a surreal 36 hours.

A clean slate for Kentucky (Men’s and Women’s) Basketball

It’s not just Memorial Coliseum that feels new. The vibes around the adjacent Joe Craft Center are noticeably different from last season. Outside of some graphics, the decor is still the same but with two new head coaches and their respective staffs, the building just feels brighter. Regardless of how you feel about John Calipari, fifteen years is a long time and the fresh start seems to have reinvigorated everyone.

Mark Pope’s boundless energy and optimism are infectious — even if he’s trying to accomplish years worth of work in days (no wonder he started his Media Day press conference with a proverb about the importance of being still). Every answer was thoughtful and genuine. Instead of checking his watch and glancing at the door, Pope made sure that everyone who wanted to ask a question got to. The same goes for Kenny Brooks, who adorably started his press conference by taking a picture of the group of reporters in front of him so he could show his wife how many people were there.

Even the fact that the men’s and women’s teams held Media Day on the same day felt purposeful. A new era, with everyone on the same page and happy — nay, eager — to share the spotlight. They even provided a snack table, the most surefire way to the media’s heart.

Talking to grown adults

After years of fielding the youngest team in college basketball, Kentucky now has the most experienced, a contrast that was on sharp display during player interviews. Talking to a 22 or 23-year-old graduate student who transferred from San Diego State or BYU is just different than talking to a 17 or 18-year-old fresh out of high school — and I don’t say that out of disrespect to any former players. Think of the life experience you gain in those years. It was like having a gym full of Kellan Gradys.

In the past, most freshmen would — understandably — balk when swarmed by reporters and revert to their media training. On Tuesday, we were talking to grown adults who had been in settings like this before and were eager to share their stories. The genuine appreciation and excitement for being a part of the Kentucky Basketball program was palpable, from Pope to the players, and even the assistants making the rounds.

This quote is getting a lot of run

Last week, Kentucky released a seven-minute video chronicling a day of “Banner Camp,” what Pope has dubbed the two-a-days leading up to the start of the season. In it, you see Pope talk to the players about his quote of the day: “The magic you’re looking for is in the work you’re avoiding.” Lamont Butler said that of all the quotes Pope has shared with them thus far, that one has resonated the most.

“That one has been sitting heavy with me. I’ve been telling all my family that, everyone I know. It’s just the work that you avoid, that’s where everything is. Everyone avoids something. If you continue to work at that, you’re going to do great things in life. I feel like that was a very key quote that he told us. He’s told us a bunch, but that one stuck.”

The quote has even made it to a graphic displayed on the TV screens around the facility:

It starts at the top

On Wednesday, I got to spend some time with Mark and Lee Anne Pope. Everything you’ve heard about them is true. We’ll see what the results are on the court — for what it’s worth, I’m very optimistic — but after a few hours with them, I am all in. In my 12 years of working for KSR full-time, I’ve had some very cool moments, but yesterday is near the top. The Popes are kind, curious, and eager to engage, even with this here blogger. I can’t wait to share more of their story with you soon.

With that, I’m headed back into the lab.