Tyler Hansbrough still hates BBN, but loves Mark Pope and these Cats

Tyler Hansbrough is a certified hater of the Kentucky Wildcats. Always has been, always will be. Psycho T throws shade at the program every chance he gets — even when he apologizes to the kind members of Big Blue Nation and attempts to give credit when things go well. Remember when he said he ‘underestimated’ the Cats in the CBS Sports Classic last year because he was ‘just going off the fact that you guys lost to UNCW at Rupp and you guys almost lost to Saint Joseph’s at Rupp’?

“Congratulations on your first Quad 1 win of the whole year,” he said.

Well, his feelings toward the program itself remain the same, as do his thoughts on BBN. Mark Pope and the product he’s putting on the floor with the 2024-25 Wildcats in Lexington, though? That’s a different story.

In a segment with Field of 68 After Dark, Hansbrough said he’s actually a fan of this group and how they’re built to begin this new era of Kentucky basketball. Maybe all it took was a win over his other bitter rival?

“First of all, what I like about Kentucky is they have a lot of veteran players. I think they have, what, [seven], grad transfers? I like that,” he said. “They’re a veteran team. And when you look at the game against Duke in particular, Duke pretty much controlled that game until late. I really felt like they found the ability to stay in the game, and when they needed to make plays and they needed to play disciplined basketball late in the game, they got that done and put themselves in position to win. And I really like that.”

One podcast interview with Coach Pope sold Psycho T on his personality and potential for success, even if it means doing it in Lexington. He believes the former 1996 national champion is the one guy capable of bringing the best out of Big Blue Nation.

And that’s good because Hansbrough wasn’t going to step up and take one for the team there.

“I’m a big fan of Mark Pope. Ever since he came on the show last year, I thought he was a heck of a dude, and I like his energy. I do think if there’s anybody that can really get Big Blue Nation and really connect with them, it’s him — because it’s not going to be me, nor will I ever.”

There’s a fine line for the former Tar Heel. He can like the coach and players while also hating the program and fans. That’s where he stands as of today, comfortable enough to call Kentucky a contender to make a real run in March.

“With Kentucky, I like veteran teams. I’ve always said that,” Hansbrough continued. “I like Pope’s style, letting his guys have a lot of freedom, passing it around. They have some shooters. I like it. I like the Kerr (Kriisa) kid, he can get hot. Jaxson Robinson, he can get it going and played for Pope. So yeah, I like Kentucky as a good team this year.

“I don’t like them as a team. I like them as a deep tournament team.”

If we’re calling it like we see it, I can also love the analysis while thinking Hansbrough is a fart-sniffing dork who constantly sounds like he needs to clear his throat.

The feeling is mutual, bud.