Kentucky
Mark Pope grateful generations of Kentucky basketball history helped him with bus entrance
Mitch Barnhart and Mark Pope came together to make a gutsy call the new Kentucky head coach’s hiring became official. Rather than setting up a traditional press conference with members of the media in a private location, the event televised and live-streamed for fans to view exclusively from home, the UK AD wanted to do it big.
If you’re going to make a hire focused on putting the program’s rich history and tradition first, why not include the best part of it, Big Blue Nation?
Barnhart made the call to host it in Rupp Arena, banking on Kentucky fans to show up in full force.
“On Friday morning, Mitch said, ‘You know what? We’re going to do this in Rupp.’ He was pretty fired up,” Pope said in an appearance on The Paul Finebaum Show to open the week. “He’s like, ‘We’re going to do it in Rupp, I’m telling you.’ So it’s kind of this idea of throwing a party and wondering if anybody is going to show up. You don’t ask that question here. You don’t ask that question here with Big Blue Nation, how they feel about their program. It was a moment.”
You guys know the rest of the story, Rupp Arena not only selling out, but forced to turn away 5,000 fans hoping to get in. With the venue packed from top to bottom, Pope entered the building on a bus and walked off holding up the 1996 national championship trophy, just as he did with his teammates nearly three decades ago.
This time, though, he had help from all previous generations of Kentucky basketball fame, representatives from the program’s title squads filing off the bus one by one.
Pope knew what was coming, but the magnitude of the moment really hit him as he jumped on ahead of the event.
“People talk to us all the time, we see the footage of me walking off of the bus exactly the same way we did 27 years ago. Carrying the trophy with players from every generation of Kentucky basketball greats, that was incredibly special,” Pope told Finebaum. “But even maybe more special to me was getting on the bus. When I first got on the bus before we drove in, every seat was filled with the greatest — many of the Kentucky greats.
“I got on and in the third row it’s Jack Givens. I mean, come on. You talk about one of the great ambassadors in the history of Kentucky basketball, his legendary stature. Walking back and getting to say hello to every one of these former great players.”
One by one, title by title, Pope made his way to the very back where his 1996 teammates were mingling, just like that special day after winning the title.
“And in the back of the bus was my ’96 team gathered together. It was so special to see all those faces and know that we’re all doing this together,” he added.
A special touch? All of the former players from start to finish warned him what would happen if he didn’t bring more banners to Lexington — just as it should be, Pope embracing the importance of his role as the next leader of this special program.
“And what was really brilliant too as I walked on back, every single one of those players threatened me that if we don’t put up banners soon, they’re coming for me,” he said. “And that’s the way this is supposed to be.”
The former Cats get it — but so does Pope.
13 things more likely to happen than winning the Powerball jackpot
Hoping to win the Powerball jackpot? Here are 13 things more likely to happen than becoming an instant millionaire.
The Kentucky Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Thursday, June 25, 2026 winning numbers for each game.
Cash Ball
02-08-24-32, Cash Ball: 09
Check Cash Ball payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 3
Evening: 6-3-0
Midday: 9-6-0
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 4
Evening: 5-7-6-0
Midday: 5-2-6-6
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Millionaire for Life
03-13-14-34-45, Bonus: 01
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Courier Journal digital producer. You can send feedback using this form.
On Thursday, Kentucky’s home and away SEC opponents for the 2026-27 season were revealed and on top of learning the three opponents who they will play twice, there are some very intriguing matchups. In conference play, Kentucky will face six teams who are among the top 25 in many preseason rankings.
In SEC play, Kentucky will play Tennessee, Vandy and Ole Miss all both home and away. The home matchups include Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Vandy. As for the road tilts, the Wildcats will face Florida, Georgia, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee and Vandy. Let’s take a look at some interesting developments from the schedule release.
John Calipari returns to Rupp Arena (again)
In Calipari’s first year with Arkansas, he got the best of Kentucky when he came into Rupp Arena and left with a 10-point victory, a game where you could really feel the tension all game long in the building from Kentucky fans, which translated onto the court with the players. Last season, it was Kentucky who shocked everyone when they stole one on the road against a top 20 Arkansas team after a rough up-and-down season up to that point. Now, the two will face off again as Kentucky will look to get the win in Rupp and make sure Calipari doesn’t get two in a row in the building. It’ll be another highly-anticipated showdown.
Kentucky hits the road at Texas
This is shaping up to be a major challenge for Kentucky next season and may even end up being one of the biggest games of the season. Texas is seen by many as a clear top 10 team, with some even having them within the top five and when you combine that with the fact that the game is on the road, the Wildcats will have their hands full. The Wildcats fell to the longhorns in the 2024-25 season, and it’ll be a much stiffer challenge this time.
Which game could be a trap?
We don’t have the game-by-game dates yet, so it’s hard to say with a lot of confidence, but opponent-wise, Georgia could really give Kentucky fits. In Pope’s first year, his team struggled handling the physicality of the Bulldogs and now, they’ve retained one of their best guards for another year and have added physicality through the portal. Mike White’s teams love to make opponents uncomfortable and they could do that once again down in Athens. Another sneaky team to watch is Oklahoma, who will have very good guard play. Kentucky will face both teams on the road.
Overall, it’s a pretty fair SEC schedule for a Kentucky team who has the capability of a return to being atop the conference once again. Mark Pope has such a system-fit squad and he can do some damage in the SEC.
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Fourth of July festivities to celebrate in Louisville
See the Fourth of July festivities planned in Louisville for America’s 250th birthday celebration.
Fourth of July is almost here, and Kentuckians are getting ready to light up the sky.
Before you plan your fireworks celebrations, it’s important to know what is and isn’t allowed under Kentucky law. Here’s what to know about fireworks laws and safety tips in the Bluegrass State ahead of Independence Day.
Can you set off fireworks in Kentucky?
Yes. As long as you live in a place where local ordinances don’t prohibit it, according to the Kentucky State Fire Marshal’s website.
Are fireworks legal in Louisville?
In Louisville or Jefferson County, larger display fireworks are not legal due to a local law. Some consumer products that don’t leave the ground, such as sparklers, are allowed.
If the cautionary label on the firework has the words “explosive,” “emits flaming pellets,” “flaming balls,” “firecracker,” “report” or “rocket,” it is automatically a no-go, according to the Louisville-Jefferson County Code of Ordinances.
But, smaller ones like sparklers, cylindrical or cone fountains, wheels and ground spinners are legal. Still, don’t let the size fool you − they can burn up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
Learn more: Check out these 4th of July events taking place across Kentucky
How to use fireworks safely
The state fire marshal suggests following the following advice when using fireworks:
- Use fireworks outdoors.
- Obey local laws.
- Keep a bucket of water or a working water hose nearby.
- Use fireworks as intended and avoid altering them or combining them.
- Never relight “dud” fireworks. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
- Spectators should keep a safe distance from the person lighting the firework (the individual lighting it should wear safety glasses).
- Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Have a “designated adult operator.”
- Do not use homemade fireworks or illegal explosives.
- Report illegal explosives to the fire or police department in your community.
- Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.
- Read and follow all instructions on the label.
Former Courier Journal reporter Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez contributed. Reach Marina Johnson at Marina.Johnson@courier-journal.com.
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