Attire was a big talking point, essentially from the minute Kentucky got St. John’s on the books to set up the Mark Pope vs. Rick Pitino battle. We know Pitino is one of the best-dressed coaches in basketball history, but how would Pope respond to that challenge? They talked a big game during the offseason.
“I am bringing the suit game,” the UK head coach told media members over the summer. “I already started planning. Coach, just be ready. Okay, bring it.”
Ahead of the game, though, Pope minimized that storyline, knowing just how important it was for Kentucky to simply win the game.