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More than a jersey, Mark Pope's Wildcats prove they are truly the Commonwealth's team

From holding open practices to supporting flood-ravaged communities in Eastern Kentucky, Mark Pope's basketball team is making a powerful statement: they are here to represent the entire Commonwealth.

Mark Pope exits the bus with holding a trophy as he enters Rupp Arena greeting thousands of fans for his introductory press conference on Sunday, April 14, 2024. | Clare Grant/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

The University of Louisville may dispute it, but the reality is undeniable: Kentucky basketball is the Commonwealth's team. The power and reach of Big Blue Nation stretch to every corner of the state, which is why it’s so powerful to see the program making a concerted effort to connect with fans far beyond the borders of Lexington.