Mark Pope explains why Kentucky won't play in Maui Invitational, holiday events -- yet

Nov 27, 2024; Lahaina, Hawaii, USA; The Memphis Tigers take on the Auburn Tigers in the first half at Lahaina Civic Center. Mandatory Credit: Marco Garcia-Imagn Images

No, Kentucky will not be participating in the 2025 Southwest Maui Invitational, that field finalized to include Arizona State, Boise State, Chaminade, North Carolina State, Seton Hall, Texas, USC and Washington State. The Wildcats won’t be a part of the 2025 Players Era Festival, either, an NIL-driven tournament featuring the likes of Houston, Alabama, Auburn, Baylor, Gonzaga, Kansas, Michigan, St. John’s and Tennessee, among others.

For now, they won’t be a part of any non-conference holiday event — but not because Mark Pope isn’t interested. In fact, he’s desperate to throw his blue hat in the ring and participate, singling out Maui for nostalgia, but certainly any tournament ready to catch Kentucky’s smoke.

That can’t happen until the Wildcats fulfill their previously-scheduled home events inside Rupp Arena. You know the BBN Invitational featuring Lipscomb, Jackson State and Western Kentucky this past season? As good as cutting down those nets felt after beating the Hilltoppers, that’s what’s stopping us from hitting the beach in November.

“There is nobody that would rather be back there than me,” Pope said during his call-in radio show Monday evening. “Unfortunately, that has slid down the list of priorities right now.”

The good news? Pope is desperate to get back there — or any high-profile holiday event, for that matter. They just have to check some boxes and pay some bills before that’s possible, unfortunately.

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That day is coming, though, BBN.

“When we do, it’s going to be epic,” Pope continued, “because BBN will travel. It’ll be beautiful.”

When will that happen? He confirmed it won’t be in 2025, but beyond that, all bets are off and the conversations can start.

“It definitely won’t be next year. We have some obligations here at Rupp in terms of number of games, so until we work out a couple other things — our in-house MT is super important because it fulfills our obligation with number of games, but it is an aspiration that we’re all chasing.”

It won’t be now, but when that go-ahead comes, Pope will join the fan who called and asked about Maui as happy campers.

“When that happens, you and I will be the two happiest people. I can’t wait,” he said.