The University of Kentucky College of Communication and Information recently hosted an insightful event at the new state-of-the-art production studio at Central Bank Center with UK coaches Mark Pope, Kenny Brooks and Nick Mingione.
The event on Jan. 20 started with the UK HealthCare Mark Pope Show with Tom Leach as the host. The men’s basketball coach broke down the Alabama loss on Jan. 18 and discussed how excited he is to continue growing the program.
“There were some really positive things on the offensive side and also some specific areas where we can get better schematically and individually,” Pope said.
Kentucky gave up 15 offensive rebounds against Alabama.
“As we go, it’s really important that we can hone in on places where we’re still making progress, even though the result might not have been exactly what we wanted,” Pope said.
Pope also discussed the SEC learning curve and how crucial it is to prepare his team to play in the atmospheres in which they play.
“The league is so dynamic, has changed so much, not only to have some new coaches and some new teams, but it also has seismic shifts,” Pope said.
There are nine SEC teams in the top 25 this week.
“We’re ranked No. 9, and we love nines floating around. I see nine everywhere I go…it’s a beautiful time to be in the SEC.”
Pope and his team are seeking the University of Kentucky’s ninth national title.
After Pope concluded his show, women’s basketball coach Kenny Brooks sat down with Darren Headrick for the Bluegrass Hearing Clinic Kenny Brooks Show. Brooks talked about the 78-64 win against Georgia.
“Offensively, we were clicking on all cylinders…We really executed the game plan, which was really gratifying to us,” Brooks said.
He also shared a couple of his favorite memories from the season so far.
“The first time I walked out, and there were fans at Memorial, that was exciting,” Brooks said. “And then Louisville. We’re no strangers to playing against Louisville, so I knew the stakes were high.”
Next, men’s baseball coach Nick Mingione joined Darren Headrick for the Clark’s Pump-n-Shop BBN Radio show. Coach Mingione spoke of his excitement for the upcoming season and explained how the players are preparing for the tough SEC competition they will face this spring.
The team had a successful 2024 season, winning the SEC and making a run in Omaha at the College World Series.
“Yeah, It’ll (SEC) be good again, and that’s what we signed up for,” Mingione said.
The Wildcats’ first series is in Nashville against Lipscomb from Feb. 14-16, and they return to Kentucky Proud Park on Feb. 18 to play Morehead State University.
