Kentucky's WILD WIN AGAINST GONZAGA IS PROOF - THIS IS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT PROGRAM UNDER MARK POPE!

[@AaronTorres]

Get your "Hope in Pope" T-shirts and support the show: www.aarontorresonline.com/product-page/hope-in-pope-ky-basketball-t-shirt Follow our Kentucky specific Twitter page - TorresOnUK: x.com/TorresOnUK Listen to full episodes of the Aaron Torres Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aaron-torres-sports-podcast/id1323396118 Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to the Aaron Torres KZbin channel: kzbin.info Follow on social media: Twitter: twitter.com/aaron_torres Instagram: instagram.com/aarontorrespod/ Facebook: facebook.com/AaronTorresWriter TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@aarontorrespod

[@homerward8203]

Didn't go to the old 2-3 zone but a 1-3-1 zone that Coach Hall used to win games in the mid late 70's for the CATS. ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT.

[@gravelandmuddband7312]

not only that he matched up out opf it and went to a man to man and you could see if completely messed with the zags offensive flow.

[@montymetcalfe1982]

Joe B and Adolph are toasting each other upstairs with a bourbon seeing the beloved 1-3-1 zone played again by the Cats

[@randyrowland6744]

Touche. Putting it in it's proper perspectives for the kids who follow in these footsteps after us all. Thanks for the remembrance and levity. Prost and auf ihr wohl. Salute.

[@connerburnett2807]

could not have said it better myself

[@LorrieC23]

Love the heart & the fight in this team. Pope is gonna do great things at UK!

[@ConnieFigueroa-u7s]

REAL TALK BBN💙💙💪💯☝️

[@jjsneed8060]

WHAT A COACHING ADJUSTMENT !!! LOVE THIS TEAM !!! BBN

[@LarryK-jg6iw]

Had they lost, my comment would still be the same. How can you NOT love this team?

[@freedomforall5071]

It's called Guard ing!

[@Nobody-n2m]

I THINK I CRIED A BIT WHEN POPE ACTUALLY PLAYED ZONE TO WIN A GAME

[@randyrowland6744]

Oh man. Good one l'nmao still over that one.

[@MGnKntkY]

Lol. Us Kentucky fans almost forgot what coaching was watching Cal's sorry ass for so long.

[@Swellington_]

That second half was probably the most exciting basketball I’ve seen in a long time,or it could be that the last couple years were harder on me than I thought,everywhere I’ve been today the first or second thing that came out of either their mouth or mine was “did you watch that damn ball game last night?” 😂😂 I live in south central Ky and the vast majority of people love the wildcats and it’s like a way of life, you know the saying “death and taxes” but in Ky we include UK basketball,I couldn’t be prouder of our coach, the dude’s gonna be a legend if he keeps this up,and a very wealthy man to boot 🤷‍♂️😂

[@trevormink7605]

I think it wasn't exactly a zone, or rather it was a zone that quickly morphed into man to man. It was to take away those deadly ball screens and it worked perfectly

[@joemother1098]

@@trevormink7605 yeah I caught that switch mid game to a 1-3-1 but as soon as the offense started they shifted to man. The Zags were caught off guard by it too

[@gravelandmuddband7312]

We are going to lose some games in the SEC because its brutally tough this year. But man to have a coach that makes adjustments during the game! Wow great coaching!

[@droidx1191]

We Kentucky fans are happy, for good reason. AND, we have to realize what is ahead in the SEC... Auburn, Alabama, Tennessee, and eight other conference opponents who are currently projected as Tourney teams. Kentucky is going to have several games as serious underdogs. I am confident our guys will fight - fight - fight and do their best. Go Big Blue!

[@StariYTube1]

Already #1 seed

[@AAOR-xb5zf]

The productivity we get from BG is a huge difference maker. Getting rest for Williams without a massive drop off.

[@glennlanham6309]

10 pts and 9 boards

[@StariYTube1]

The Unbreakables 💙🏆

[@jonathanmorrison2225]

“The Underestimated’s”???? Like yours as well. GO CATS!!!!

[@BBN-MJ]

Mark Pope 🙌🏾 BBN we got a coach

[@claymang]

a C O A C H By GOD do we got a damn coach

[@freedomforall5071]

Heard this talk about teams in Nov and Dec🤦 its playing to Feb that tells Who's Who built for March Madness!

[@freedomforall5071]

It's a Win But even Saint Mary's beat Gonzaga!

[@freedomforall5071]

very next day Duke down like this but come back Bigger Win without a Overtime!

[@freedomforall5071]

KENTUCKY did this did that Bla Bla Bla ITS DEC!!! WAIT TILL FEB !!!

[@WThomas66]

Pope’s team fights like hell and change strategies during the game.

[@austinvanderpool]

They really embody the spirit of a fighting wildcat

[@Patso65]

The "ceiling" of this team should not be the roof, but, the sky!. GO BIG BLUE!!!.

[@mgers75]

All due respect to Scott Drew, but I thank his wife everyday for not letting him take the UK job!

[@vincentbarrett5282]

I didn't want Scott Drew I'm loving this team go big blue 🔵🔵

[@nickperkins8477]

@@vincentbarrett5282respectfully to Coach Drew, I never really perceived he was a good fit for us, as a head coach.

[@mikesmith5799]

BBN would have went crazy and burned down houses had Barnhart hired his friend Scott Drew!!

[@ProudJew348]

I was completely demoralized at half time...and I was SHOCKED to see them come back. Totally impressed. GO CATS!

[@droidx1191]

Picking Gonzaga was not a bad pick, but Kentucky is KENTUCKY, and they fought hard for the W.

[@justinlaw9336]

AP polls are overrated and almost meaningless. I love seeing them regarded as a top 5 team as much as anyone. But big picture wise, don't mean shit. With that said, idk if they fall at all really. 6 top 10 teams lost this week. And the Gonzaga win was much more impactful then the Clemson loss. Which some seem to be overreacting too. They were elite 8 team and brought everyone back. Played at Clemson, half our players were in foul trouble and on bench for long stretches. We shot as bad as we have this whole year. All that said, we lose by 4. Not a bad loss at all. But the Gonzaga win was huge

[@Deadman420_1]

Tennessee #1 Kentucky #2​ Marquette #3 @@justinlaw9336

[@TheLibraryChamber]

Battle Cats! They are showing that this notion you have to have NBA level talent or at least in one or two spots to win big and big games is a bit...not true any longer. Although UK has a few on there.

[@Nobody-n2m]

TORRES. I WANT A MARCH POPE SHIRT

[@donzsky4432]

before the game started i was not even confident we could pull a W on this one but oh boy oh boy Pope does it again another Quad1 wins from a top 10 team

[@droidx1191]

Zags Nembhard, Battle, and Ike were UNSTOPPABLE in 1H. But Coach Pope gave his Cats POSITIVE instructions and a new way to attack and defend in 2H. Nembhard was confused for about 7 possessions in 2H, and the Cats redeemed that opportunity to get back into a manageable deficit.

[@wildmouse5888]

As a Kentucky fan, I think the reason we are so excited is that that while we don't have the sheer physical talent we had under Calipari, we have all the things that would BEAT us under Calipari. Mental toughness, maturity, and playing for each other MATTER.

[@ConnieFigueroa-u7s]

@#NEVERGIVEUPLETSGOBBN💪💙💯☝️

[@MikeBlair-ce1er]

We got a real COACH now .

[@chuckcts-v3460]

Garrison gets better each game, he will be a monster in March.

[@wildmouse5888]

I don't think Garrison will be a monster this year; but he doesn't have to be one for us to win. All he has to do is give us 15 minutes per game of quality play and the center position becomes a great strength for this team.

[@betteorhowardswarts7674]

Nice show! Loved it!

[@jayhank5838]

John Calipari's Kentucky team would have lost by more than 15.

[@johnnycorn7225]

That game reminded me of the time that team cohesiveness and adjustments got more results than go, run, and focus on individual improvements. 🤔

[@eryxis827]

Was looking for this video all night and morning.

[@jamesmudd4162]

I'll go out on a limb here. You wait & see, Pope will be the National Coach of the Year. Mark my words!

[@freedomforall5071]

Heard this talk about teams in Nov and Dec and be distant memory in February when it counts more! because that tells Who's Who built for March Madness!

[@Bleedsblue]

The best players on the floor sat. Night was oweh Robinson and Carr. Garrison and Williams were able to slow down EK . Williams shut him down in the second half. Carr in OT blocked a dunk that led to a oweh dunk. And was the one who after missing two fts. Redeemed his self with a strip that kept Gonzaga from getting a shot off.

[@derrickwestfall2002]

I love Kerr but he was consistently getting cooked on defense. I hope his injury isn’t too bad because we need his energy

[@jamesmudd4162]

This game reminded me of UK vs Duke in NCAA tournament in 1998. Down 17 points in the 2nd half, then we came back & beat 'em.

[@bshayc79]

We were forced to play drop coverage on ball screens because Butler was out and Kriisa isn't quick enough. When we switched Oweh on to Nembhart and started flashing the 1-3-1 zone it changed everything. Great job by Pope, GREAT fight from the Cats. Instant classic.

[@jasonkatro8148]

I turned the channel at halftime, I thought it was over

[@shawndittman4844]

That would've made perfect sense last year.

[@vincentbarrett5282]

​@@shawndittman4844a statement that's so true

[@DuaneChristopher-gv8rw]

I'm so glad we have a real coach and Coach Mark Pope is going to get number 9 maybe this year and if not we know where not coming home first round this year. Love Coach Pope

[@jameshadley82]

So happy Cal got run out of town. No way Cal would win that game

[@lucky2gunnz309]

Finally someone making in game adjustments

[@MCguy52]

This was basically an Elite Eight/ Final Four type game.

[@Bleedsblue]

In 2019 I watched pope beat Gonzaga and I seen how they played and I thought hope he comes to UK one day. Didn't think it would be so soon. Everyone not buying pope as a good coach just hasn't followed his career apparently.

[@heathbaker1138]

They completely ignore that his two coaching stops were Utah Valley State and BYU. Those are not exactly premier or consistent division I teams.

[@nickperkins8477]

Splitting the road games was important. Hopefully, we can lessen the fall in the polls.

[@jasonkatro8148]

Prob drop to 8

[@alostcause4035]

A bunch of top 10 teams lost this week. Uk shouldnt drop much if at all in the polls.

[@giantslayer473]

6th or 7th

[@charles5447]

I really don’t know why I didn’t turned the channel at half time. But boy, am I glad I didn’t.

[@Larry-k1y7h]

Pope is a x & o”s guy he also has a great bench of assistant coaches the Clemson game was a good loss it made them tougher

[@Dreamcultrocks]

Torres, I think it was the greatest coaching job that I have ever witnessed at kentucky. The 94 LSU game Ronnie Henderson and Clarence Caesar could not miss in the first half. But in the second half Jeff Brassow and Walter McCarty could not miss. The One Thing Rick Pitino did was he started fouling LSU to trade free throws for made three pointers LSU missed their free throws for the most part. But the game last night Mark Pope completely threw away his game plan it was awesome how he would sit in zone but quickly switch into man to man and Confused Gonzaga I also like how he utilized his big men. He had Carr posting a lot more than usual who has an amazing hookshot the great thing is after getting beat at Clemson and getting wiped off the floor in the first half at Gonzaga pretty much it would have been easy for his team to just say let's move on to the next one

[@Beef_Boloney]

It’s sad that we’ve come to expect UK to move on to the next one when we’re down bad at halftime, once you get used to that standard it’s hard to believe any other outcome except for a loss. I’m not sure what I was expecting from Coach Pope this season, I surely wasn’t expecting to UK to beat two top 10 teams in his first month as head coach though. I was willing to forgive a lackluster first year with an NIT appearance, but to make it to the tournament with a first year HC with a brand new team of players that have never played together seemed an insurmountable task. Coach Pope’s first month has changed all that, it no longer seems insurmountable but inevitable with these kids. I feel like the gold standard of college basketball is returning to Lexington where it belongs and has given us UK fans more to cheer for than the first round of the NBA draft. Last I checked the NBA don’t hang banners in Rupp Arena, great coaches do.

[@Dreamcultrocks]

@Beef_Boloney Mark Pope got rid of all of those pictures of NBA players is what I heard. 2010 through 2015 was historic although we should have won another title call me but that is hard to do. 2016 through 2020 was good teams Elite 8 teams. But those last four years was so bad and his coaching was worse John Calipari is unexplainable when he was at UMass he had one McDonald's All-American and it was not Marcus Camby and he dominated the nineties turn the team that had never won 20 games in their history into the top five team from 1992 until he left 1096. Memphis he had three McDonald's all-americans but he never had one on the same team that was another program that had never done anything and he turned them into a contender. Kentucky first 5 6 years we just need to be thankful for that and that we have moved on. I think Joe B Hall said it best when he said 10 years is too long for any coach at kentucky. I firmly believe that especially when you start out for final fours in 5 years and then the next 4 years you can't get out of the elite eight I think it takes a toll on you and then you can't get out of the first weekend. But another thing I've been talking about to a lot of people is Cal might have some form of dementia from Alzheimer's or something. Because the past 8 years maybe 9 you could see a decline in his decision-making during games. Then the past four years he fell off a cliff with bone-headed decision making during the games and playing the wrong players all the time but we've moved on Mark Pope looks amazing. The conference is tough this year this team will be fun to watch and he don't have the best players he's coaching his ass off. He is 10 times the coach Cal is right now or the past 8 years . But the unexplainable thing about John Calipari is the rise and fall. Is something wrong with him mentally? Did Kentucky weigh on him mentally? If so will he get back up? I think Arkansas is interesting. But I don't think he's going to do well just because I think his mind is bad I think it is more that versus Kentucky fans got to him

[@clintonray1032]

Pressure creates diamonds... That's Kentucky

[@silverscreen4522]

Cats have moxie and grit.

[@kentuckyjones7242]

what we got.. is a coach that ...................COACHES TO WIN COLLEGE BASKETBALL GAMES not one that coachs to get guys ready for the NBA. that second half was a coaching clinic on how to play defense and keep a team guessing and out of rhythm

[@STaylorMade7601]

What’s funny is all the people picking the Zags to win by double digits and I’m pretty sure you said we would lose too!!BBN4LIFE

[@shawnrichie-j7p]

i'm pretty sure 90% of the fan base expected a loss

[@Carloshunt6918Hunt-d3t]

Aaron love your podcast. Go Cats!!!!!

[@erickhart6159]

It sucks Kerr got hurt and they are saying will be out at LEAST 6 weeks.

[@stnaes-tf4ow]

Liking that T-shirt design

[@bkjamison73]

You should sell that shirt as a Hoodie since most basketball here in Kentucky the season is winter. I'll buy

[@bigj2518]

Dont predict a loss and then spend the first few minutes telling everyone “I told you so!” In fairness, I underestimated as well without Butler but I still thought they could pull it out.

[@JimSells-j8t]

LETS GOOOOO WILDCATS 🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀

[@mcurrent44]

Pope is going to be a great coach, I there with Rick Pitino. In a big Ky fan, my girlfriend is a Duke fan. Sad, I know😂 You need to play short videos of teams that win

[@davemenard5089]

Between getting into a fight at work and the football I forgot that uk was playing. DAMIT

[@ajaxslamgoody9736]

Andrew Carr was the Ace

[@Chesney46]

This is a dangerous team that nobody wants to play in March

[@giantslayer473]

Adjustments!!

[@adamadkins2932]

🎉🎉🎉

[@BIG-BlueNation8569]

Not the first "real adversity Pope had faced" UK defeated #4Duke who start four 1st round NBA draft picks. 2nd!

[@jt1765]

You thought they were gonna give up 90 hah!

[@johnnycorn7225]

Hey John gets money, how's it going lately😂

[@BrianLawrence-vk3pu]

In all reality, Gonzaga is about 5 hours from Seattle. Washington is a big state. Much closer to them but it's a 5 hour bus ride vs a 4 hour direct flight. I know there's a time change and it's definitely closer to home for the Zags but I'm just saying....

[@shawnrichie-j7p]

You didn't think you'd be making excuses after the game for Zaga did ya

[@freedomforall5071]

It's a Win But even Saint Mary's beat Gonzage!

[@shawnrichie-j7p]

this zaga team has an 81% chance to win the title according to experts and your downing this win. PHS what a hater. must be a Duke fan.

[@shawnrichie-j7p]

didn't even have our starting point guard

[@questioneverything1646]

Kriisa is out 6 weeks with a foot fracture

[@ericstevens8744]

Hope In Pope. FINAL FOUR

[@glennlanham6309]

yeah buddy...look up the defensive changes he made in the 2nd half...Cal didn't make any defensive changes in 15 years!!

[@smit7120]

Torres just doesn't know basketball and is wrong on a consistent basis. Kentucky fans have been good to him but he isn't a true believer 😂

[@StariYTube1]

Fact

[@TyroneDunn-ns7cw]

I USED THAT HOPE IN POPE PHRASE, LONG B4 NOW, AT THE 1ST SIGNING 😂 WERES MY ROYALTIES??UUUMMM!!!#33

[@SoGshaiprosper5417]

Torres was using this since the beginning, could have been a thing at BYU too. Either way I feel ya...royalties sure would be nice !!

[@shawnrichie-j7p]

prove it

[@mabdman2140]

Pope is a great COACH. He doesn't rely solely on talent to win.

[@austinkeith2198]

Mark pope can coach with anyone. I wonder about the talent on the team but man he makes me not care about that. However, getting down big in big games and then having to coach our way out of it is not a recipe for success in march. We need to figure out the starts by then but it’s working so far so who cares.

[@shawnrichie-j7p]

there is talent and there is grown ass men and Kentucky has grown ass men. Talent never won a championship

[@austinkeith2198]

@ um, talent has won many championships. Yes old experienced players are great and important but all championship teams have nba players and I’m not sure we do. I’m not sure any of them go in the first round and maybe one or two will be in the second round. That historically doesn’t win championships. But hey, here’s to hoping.

[@shawnrichie-j7p]

This team is talented they are scoring more than any team in the country.

[@shawnrichie-j7p]

There was one freshman that made it past the sweet 16 and played for UConn and was a top 10 draft pick. This UK team has talent that no one can seem to stop add Zaga to the list that we beat and they were an 81% favor to when it all without a point guard keep hating. this UK team will put some players in the draft or get signed.

[@Jamesdean999]

You had the zags beating ky, but then you said "what did i say? Gotta trust the process." Sounds like to me you didn't "trust the process ".

[@Michael-mt1zq]

So the Cats beat Duke and Gonzaga both on the road and are 2-0 against top 10 teams. Duke loses to UK and Kansas on the road and beats Auburn at home making them 1-2 against top 10 teams. Dukes ranked #4 and UK is ranked #5. Typical smh.

[@curtiscottrell6499]

Travis and Noah is better than Kerr. I'm not glad he's hurt, but these 2 freshmen can shoot the lights out....

[@nolantriplett5603]

Nah Trent and Noah need a a year or two no shame In that Kerr has a energy that is contagious that nobody else on the team has and has been good throughout his career for sure there will be downs but he’s a difference maker

[@justinlaw9336]

No, they will b great. But there is a big difference in a good spot up shooter, and having 4 years of elite game and elite level starts and experience. Kerr is also a great passer. He def will be missed while out. He does alot that don't show on scoreboard. Hopefully he will be on bench tryna fire them all up and motivate as he has all year

[@justinlaw9336]

@@nolantriplett5603 Exactly

[@richardveth2169]

Close to the greatest uk ever: uk 92 -90 in regional finals ncaa..Indiana was undefeated:)

[@bubbawatson1852]

I think college season ticket holders get robbed with weak games, l Like see Kentucky. Play 1st. Game. I.u. 2nd. Kansas. 3rd game. N.c. 4th. Game. Michigan state. 5th. Gonzaga. 6th. Louisville. 7th. Duke. 8th. St.johns. Room for 3 games against small locals. Then conference. Play duke home, and home, play them at Camden, maybe 1 neutral sites. But make it worth these prices. U talking about people excitement. Play 7 top 25 teams . Before conference.

[@toddboling152]

I hope to be wrong but I think Kerr is gone for the season for KENTUCKY with injury..

[@carterseaborn2536]

3-6 weeks

[@tuenchie7541]

Uk the most toxic fanbase in history they were done with mark pope at halftime now it’s he’s better than cal it’s hilarious 😂

[@garybrierley5116]

The Battle Cats

[@magic3383]

Kerr was terrible.

[@justinlaw9336]

No he wasn't... 8 pts with 4 assists and only 1 turnover in 27 min. That ain't superstar numbers obviously, but damn sure wasn't terrible.

[@demetriustaylor9552]

Aaron u don’t have no hope in Pope when u picked Gonzaga yall still act like we still have Calipari and he’s not…Hypocrite

[@chuckcts-v3460]

Kerr has a broken bone in his foot, needs surgery.

[@glenosborne9807]

Battle Cats

[@StariYTube1]

Unbreakables

[@leaannerobison1589]

I've said it before and I will keep saying it! I wanted Mark Pope as coach before he was ever hired and I have the receipts! I was soooo right!

[@Gmac82]

John who

[@freedomforall5071]

Pope did adjustment all right Guard !

[@Bleedsblue]

Playing where they did isn't the same as playing in the kennel. The court Gonzaga plays on every day. Something was definitely up with that one rim Gonzaga had in the second half. UK couldn't get nothing on it in the first and zags couldn't in the second. Unless it was a straight in. If it hit the rim or it was coming off

[@justinlaw9336]

Ridiculous

[@BrizzyBlue]

I wondered the same thing. Kentucky couldn't buy a shot in the first half on that side. And then the same exact thing happened to gonzaga in the 2nd half.

[@Bleedsblue]

@aaronbrisendine3838 lol I wouldn't be surprised to find out they adjusted it or something before the game

[@BrizzyBlue]

@Bleedsblue yea wouldn't be shocked either. People would say that's just a conspiracy, but it's not far fetched for it to be off maybe a few degrees. Not really noticeable to the eye, but to guys that practice 1000s of shots a week on one thing it could make a massive difference.

[@hdhxhebdh]

Pope is the man for UK🏀💪😁. Glad cal gone i like him but yes he right need someone else to hear and glad its MARK POPE 💙🤍💙💪😺🏀🔥🔥🔥. BBN ... 😊4life...thats why they call us. Comeback CATS 💙🤍💙

[@helmfamilyranch3067]

Calipari was a stain on this program. I never wanted him but I knew we had to do it at the beginning. I would have ran him out after 7/8 years. To give him full control over a lifetime should be costing changes within the front office. It’s inexcusable. Kentucky needs a new president in a bad way. Cap and Barn are garbage and bad for UK big 2 sports. It’s time to move them out too.

[@tuenchie7541]

Calipari was a stain on the program js a hilarious statement 😂 he stayed to long yes but he had a hall of fame career at Kentucky, four final 4’s, two natty appearances, won a natty, and tons of sec championships most programs are building a statue for that man and yall hate him it’s insane

[@freedomforall5071]

Very next day Duke down like this but come back with bigger win without Overtime!

[@plcc07777]

After watching Pope coach, I never realized just how bad Calipari is.

[@tuenchie7541]

Yea Calipari is so bad that he’s the winningest coach in college basketball right now and taken 3 different schools to the final 4, while mark pope has zero tournament wins in 9 seasons As a head coach. Good first 10 game start tho for pope, saying Calipari can’t coach tho is a joke of a statement….btw Calipari only trailed by 16 or more at halftime only 6 times in 15 years