Mark Pope doesn’t duck DeMarcus Cousins’ “no heart” criticism — he embraces it

After Kentucky’s lifeless loss to Gonzaga, DeMarcus Cousins didn’t bother with diplomacy. The former Wildcat star went on social media and said what a lot of fans were thinking: Kentucky was playing with “no heart.”

For a first-year head coach, that kind of blast from a program legend can be a landmine. You can deny it, deflect it, or pretend you didn’t see it.

Mark Pope chose a fourth option: he embraced it.

Why Mark Pope says you “own it” when Kentucky legends call you out

Following Kentucky’s 72–60 win over Indiana in a game built on 'gross beautiful' basketball, defense and effort Pope was asked about his team’s newfound intensity and the noise around the program.