Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope delivered a candid message following the team’s 99-70 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals. Expressing his dissatisfaction, Pope stated, “I hope it’s really hard ’cause this is not okay for us. I hope it’s really hard. But we’re here to do hard things.”
The Wildcats struggled with turnovers, committing 16, which Alabama converted into 29 points. Pope acknowledged that the team made uncharacteristic mistakes under Alabama’s defensive pressure.
Looking ahead to the NCAA Tournament, Pope emphasized the importance of resilience, stating, “We talked with it since the beginning. It’s either going to tear you to shreds or it’s going to make you better.”
The Wildcats are also dealing with injuries, notably to guard Lamont Butler, who missed the Alabama game due to a shoulder injury. However, Pope provided a positive update, indicating that Butler is expected to return for the NCAA Tournament.
As Selection Sunday approaches, Kentucky is projected to receive a 3-seed or 4-seed in the NCAA Tournament, with potential placements in the South or West regions.
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