For 18 months, Mark Pope was a miracle worker. In Year 1, he tied a record with eight wins against top-15 teams and dragged an injury-ravaged roster to the Sweet 16. BBN felt invested, proud, and validated. Kentucky invested a record amount of money this offseason, and Pope delivered an offseason masterclass in selling hope.
But hope doesn't shoot 35%. Hype doesn't rebound.
After the embarrassing, full-scale 83-66 demolition by Michigan State in New York, the narrative of "a coach on the rise" has been replaced by one question: What is the breaking point for the Big Blue Nation?