Mark Pope didn’t hide his respect when asked about Friday’s opponent. In fact, he made a comparison that should grab his players and BBN's attention.
“They’re kind of a little bit of a Gonzaga vibe in the way they play, the pace they play with,” Pope said. Of course he is talking about Valparaiso, who will come to Rupp Arena with an upset on their mind.
He praised their tempo, their transition attack, and especially their willingness to crash the glass. “Good team,” Pope said. “They play with a ton of pace… they really try and hurt you in transition.