WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.200 --> 00:00:04.919 The excitement overall for Mark Pope being an next player, 2 00:00:05.879 --> 00:00:09.240 he knows what this means. He's really put his arms 3 00:00:09.279 --> 00:00:12.080 around the state of Kentucky and calls it their team, 4 00:00:12.119 --> 00:00:15.800 and he's correct, and that has made everyone buy in 5 00:00:15.960 --> 00:00:17.199 and so exciting. 6 00:00:17.679 --> 00:00:20.399 So can't wait for the rest of the season. 7 00:00:20.960 --> 00:00:23.760 How does a schedule like that, a conference schedule, prepare 8 00:00:23.839 --> 00:00:24.960 you for postseason play? 9 00:00:25.160 --> 00:00:26.640 Well, it really does. 10 00:00:26.879 --> 00:00:30.280 Again, playing on the road is just brutal in any conference, 11 00:00:30.320 --> 00:00:33.079 in almost any sport, so they're gonna have tough games. 12 00:00:33.079 --> 00:00:35.640 So yes, it gets the fight in you. It gets 13 00:00:35.719 --> 00:00:38.520 the intensity and how the level has to get up 14 00:00:38.560 --> 00:00:41.679 there and the defense will be better, and the road 15 00:00:41.679 --> 00:00:42.799 wins you get. 16 00:00:43.039 --> 00:00:45.560 Those are the ones you really like. Home games. 17 00:00:45.560 --> 00:00:48.119 I always like to say, we're supposed to win at home, 18 00:00:48.600 --> 00:00:51.399 But on the road, that's the real challenge, and that's 19 00:00:51.439 --> 00:00:54.079 when you see how good maybe you can get in 20 00:00:54.159 --> 00:00:58.960 tough situations. It's Kentucky's team and it's beautiful, He'll say 21 00:00:59.000 --> 00:01:00.200 to me, he said a few times. 22 00:01:00.200 --> 00:01:01.280 I've been on a few things and. 23 00:01:01.240 --> 00:01:03.560 He's like, it's your team, Jim, you built this team. 24 00:01:03.560 --> 00:01:05.719 And I'm like, I'm one very small brick. 25 00:01:05.480 --> 00:01:06.159 In this team. 26 00:01:06.519 --> 00:01:11.000 So he has embraced it because again he played here 27 00:01:11.079 --> 00:01:15.680 and he knows what the tradition means, and it makes 28 00:01:15.760 --> 00:01:17.680 all the difference. All the young men like me, they 29 00:01:17.799 --> 00:01:19.560 get to come back. I'm not young, but all we 30 00:01:19.640 --> 00:01:22.920 come back, we feel like he wants us to come 31 00:01:22.959 --> 00:01:25.799 back and be around and he totally embraces that. 32 00:01:39.200 --> 00:01:42.840 Welcome into another episode of Behind Kentucky Basketball, presented by 33 00:01:42.959 --> 00:01:45.840 UK Federal Credit Union, and today we are recording in 34 00:01:45.879 --> 00:01:48.680 our brand new downtown studios. I'm your host, Michelle Keneswick, 35 00:01:48.920 --> 00:01:51.519 and this week I'm joining with former Kentucky basketball player 36 00:01:51.599 --> 00:01:54.480 Jim Master. Jim played for Kentucky from nineteen eighty to 37 00:01:54.560 --> 00:01:57.480 nineteen eighty four. Coach by joeby Hall. Jim, thanks for 38 00:01:57.519 --> 00:01:59.400 taking time and walking down to our studios today. 39 00:01:59.640 --> 00:02:01.040 Well, thanks for asking me. 40 00:02:01.079 --> 00:02:03.760 It's always fun to talk UK basketball and a lot 41 00:02:03.760 --> 00:02:06.359 of great memories for me, especially. 42 00:02:05.959 --> 00:02:08.319 The Louisville game especially, and we are going to get 43 00:02:08.360 --> 00:02:10.919 fully into the Battle of Boluegrass as we've got that 44 00:02:11.000 --> 00:02:14.080 game this Saturday here in Lexington. But let's go back 45 00:02:14.080 --> 00:02:17.560 a little bit an exciting time this offseason. You get 46 00:02:17.599 --> 00:02:20.680 a former player, Mark Pope coming in at the helm 47 00:02:20.719 --> 00:02:23.719 of this Kentucky team, and can we just talk about 48 00:02:23.759 --> 00:02:25.759 the last couple of months and how exciting that has been. 49 00:02:25.800 --> 00:02:27.159 Jim, Well, we can. 50 00:02:27.120 --> 00:02:30.960 And of course all the Kentucky fans, all of Kentucky, 51 00:02:31.000 --> 00:02:34.120 but truly probably all the United States now in college basketball. 52 00:02:34.240 --> 00:02:36.439 They made a name for themselves right off the bat. 53 00:02:36.800 --> 00:02:41.280 I've met all the guys, and what a quality coaching staff, 54 00:02:41.319 --> 00:02:43.919 what a quality bunch of young men that he's recruited. 55 00:02:44.319 --> 00:02:48.759 They bought into it right away. They're hungry, and this 56 00:02:48.879 --> 00:02:51.000 first part of the season, let's be honest, it's been 57 00:02:51.039 --> 00:02:54.560 pretty magical. They've only lost one game that was on 58 00:02:54.639 --> 00:02:56.840 the true road game and they did not play well, 59 00:02:56.879 --> 00:03:00.199 but they still had a chance to win. So but 60 00:03:00.240 --> 00:03:03.159 the Duke game, of course, the Goodzaga game, and just 61 00:03:03.759 --> 00:03:08.479 the excitement overall. For Mark Pope, being an ex player, 62 00:03:09.400 --> 00:03:12.800 he knows what this means. He's really put his arms 63 00:03:12.840 --> 00:03:15.599 around the state of Kentucky and calls it their team, 64 00:03:15.680 --> 00:03:19.360 and he's correct, and that has made everyone buy in 65 00:03:19.520 --> 00:03:23.479 and so exciting. So can't wait for the rest of 66 00:03:23.520 --> 00:03:23.960 the season. 67 00:03:24.400 --> 00:03:27.240 I know, We've had so much excitement and we're really 68 00:03:27.280 --> 00:03:30.120 just scratching the surface of the college basketball season, which 69 00:03:30.159 --> 00:03:32.879 is kind of crazy. But I think that's what makes 70 00:03:32.680 --> 00:03:36.639 this preseason, all these non conference games so fun, is 71 00:03:36.879 --> 00:03:38.919 all these different matchups that you get to see. 72 00:03:39.520 --> 00:03:41.800 Correct and kind of I kind of hear it in 73 00:03:41.800 --> 00:03:44.319 your voice. It's a long journey, but the first part 74 00:03:44.360 --> 00:03:48.599 of the journey's been really really great. But playing these 75 00:03:48.719 --> 00:03:51.840 games and getting some of these wins, it's obvious it's great, 76 00:03:52.199 --> 00:03:54.560 but it really helps him too going into the conference 77 00:03:55.000 --> 00:03:58.039 because our conference is going to be super super tough 78 00:03:58.360 --> 00:04:00.560 playing on the road in any sports, a lot tougher 79 00:04:00.560 --> 00:04:04.439 in playing at home. So I'm excited that they're building 80 00:04:04.479 --> 00:04:09.919 this record and this resume for when March comes. Of course, 81 00:04:09.960 --> 00:04:12.120 we didn't talk about this much, but some of the 82 00:04:13.240 --> 00:04:16.519 last Gonzaga game, we didn't even play our starting point guard, 83 00:04:17.040 --> 00:04:20.360 and that helps the other players gain confidence too that 84 00:04:20.399 --> 00:04:23.800 they won without him and gives other players chances to 85 00:04:23.839 --> 00:04:25.079 show what they can do. Well. 86 00:04:25.120 --> 00:04:28.040 You mentioned, you know, Lamont Butler out didn't play in 87 00:04:28.079 --> 00:04:31.439 the Gonzaga game. Kerkkrisa who came in you know, ended 88 00:04:31.480 --> 00:04:34.040 up hurting his foot in that. Kentucky Basketball announced that 89 00:04:34.240 --> 00:04:36.439 you know, he will be out indefinitely for now. So 90 00:04:36.920 --> 00:04:40.439 Jackson Robinson, who came with Mark Pope played point guard, 91 00:04:40.480 --> 00:04:42.680 and I think that that was a big rallying moment 92 00:04:42.800 --> 00:04:45.360 you mentioned there, Jim. You know, when somebody gets hurt 93 00:04:45.480 --> 00:04:47.600 or somebody gets injured and somebody else tests to step 94 00:04:47.680 --> 00:04:49.920 up or take a different role, you know, it's an 95 00:04:49.920 --> 00:04:52.120 interesting dynamic. But then to be able to overcome it 96 00:04:52.199 --> 00:04:56.240 as as a team, it's kind of, you know, exciting, 97 00:04:56.720 --> 00:04:59.399 and it gets them like excited that they can do 98 00:05:00.160 --> 00:05:02.680 and overcome, you know, adversity. Was there a moment maybe 99 00:05:02.680 --> 00:05:05.720 in your time at Kentucky where a player got injured 100 00:05:05.839 --> 00:05:08.639 or somebody had to switch positions and you guys were 101 00:05:08.680 --> 00:05:09.879 able to overcome that. 102 00:05:10.199 --> 00:05:13.560 Are you specifically, Well, it's a great question. Really. 103 00:05:13.759 --> 00:05:17.639 I started thinking, there's always adversity, yeah, major college basketball 104 00:05:17.680 --> 00:05:21.120 and ups and downs. But we had Sam Bowie get 105 00:05:21.199 --> 00:05:23.240 hurt for you know, we didn't so I came here 106 00:05:23.279 --> 00:05:25.959 as a freshman. We had Sam and he was one 107 00:05:26.040 --> 00:05:29.079 year ahead of me, but then we didn't have him 108 00:05:29.120 --> 00:05:33.040 for my sophomore in junior year, so there you go, 109 00:05:33.120 --> 00:05:35.720 that's pretty good adversity. And then he came back for 110 00:05:35.759 --> 00:05:41.160 the senior year. So we actually collectively had really good 111 00:05:41.199 --> 00:05:44.399 seasons because I think coming together and doing different things, 112 00:05:44.480 --> 00:05:46.959 so someone else has to step up, and just like 113 00:05:48.160 --> 00:05:51.000 Jackson did the other night, that that really was a 114 00:05:51.079 --> 00:05:54.120 huge moment for him. In my personal opinion, I think 115 00:05:54.120 --> 00:05:56.240 he would know and coach both. I think he's been 116 00:05:56.399 --> 00:06:00.319 probably disappointed in some of his play and maybe getting 117 00:06:00.360 --> 00:06:03.560 into these games sometimes, but I think that might really 118 00:06:03.639 --> 00:06:07.680 set him off. He was outstanding and I think he 119 00:06:07.759 --> 00:06:09.879 knows now there's more than he can do than just 120 00:06:10.240 --> 00:06:11.319 shoot three pointers. 121 00:06:11.519 --> 00:06:13.240 Well, and if you're a Kentucky fan and you know 122 00:06:13.279 --> 00:06:15.360 who Sam Buie is in the significance he add to 123 00:06:15.399 --> 00:06:17.360 your team, you know that was quite adversity that you 124 00:06:17.360 --> 00:06:19.519 guys had to overcome. But you know, speaking of Jackson 125 00:06:19.519 --> 00:06:21.759 and Robinson, you mentioned that you've met a lot of 126 00:06:21.759 --> 00:06:23.319 guys on this team, you've been a part of this 127 00:06:23.360 --> 00:06:26.639 program residing here in Lexington. Has there been a specific 128 00:06:26.680 --> 00:06:29.199 player that you know you've met at practice or who's 129 00:06:29.199 --> 00:06:31.040 maybe surprised you this year? 130 00:06:31.519 --> 00:06:34.480 Well, another good question, to be honest. 131 00:06:34.519 --> 00:06:38.319 They all surprise me when I met him in the summertime, 132 00:06:38.360 --> 00:06:41.240 and I saw a few things early that Coach Pope 133 00:06:41.279 --> 00:06:44.959 invited us too. So wow, they all can shoot, or 134 00:06:45.000 --> 00:06:47.319 most of them can really shoot. And then I thought 135 00:06:47.360 --> 00:06:49.720 to myself, well, let's see how they do in a game. 136 00:06:50.199 --> 00:06:51.720 And we've seen how they do in the game. So 137 00:06:51.759 --> 00:06:55.720 I think, really and truly all of them surprise me 138 00:06:55.759 --> 00:06:58.879 in a good way that they're such good young men 139 00:06:59.439 --> 00:07:02.839 and they play together as a team, and that's. 140 00:07:02.680 --> 00:07:04.279 A huge, huge thing. 141 00:07:04.279 --> 00:07:06.279 And I think they have confidence in every one of 142 00:07:06.279 --> 00:07:08.879 those top ten players I call them. I think that's 143 00:07:08.920 --> 00:07:11.959 one of our keys. We're deep, and Coach Pope is 144 00:07:12.000 --> 00:07:13.959 not scared to put any of those young men in 145 00:07:14.000 --> 00:07:17.399 at different times, just like LaMotte getting hurt and boom, 146 00:07:17.480 --> 00:07:19.800 someone steps in. So I think that's what we'll see 147 00:07:19.839 --> 00:07:20.519 the rest of the year. 148 00:07:20.759 --> 00:07:23.040 Well, and you know, we kind of talked about how 149 00:07:23.079 --> 00:07:25.920 college basketball, you know, the SEC is is so tough. 150 00:07:25.959 --> 00:07:29.000 They play, you know this this tough non conference schedule, 151 00:07:29.079 --> 00:07:30.680 and really just college basketball. 152 00:07:30.279 --> 00:07:30.680 As a whole. 153 00:07:30.720 --> 00:07:32.600 Right now, you know, you're seeing the transfer portal. You 154 00:07:32.639 --> 00:07:34.720 can be a one and done, you can play at 155 00:07:34.720 --> 00:07:35.639 five different schools. 156 00:07:35.639 --> 00:07:36.759 Some people had a COVID year. 157 00:07:36.800 --> 00:07:40.879 Still, I mean, it's almost like the misfit toys all 158 00:07:40.920 --> 00:07:44.199 coming together and Mark Pope putting all these puzzle pieces 159 00:07:44.199 --> 00:07:46.160 together and it works. 160 00:07:48.000 --> 00:07:50.879 And it looks like the new plan, of course we're 161 00:07:50.879 --> 00:07:53.160 only a little bit through the season, is go out 162 00:07:53.199 --> 00:07:56.759 and get older players, more experienced players, good players, good players, 163 00:07:56.959 --> 00:07:59.959 and maybe players that aren't worried about going number one 164 00:08:00.079 --> 00:08:02.000 the draft or number nine in the draft or number 165 00:08:02.040 --> 00:08:05.000 sixteen in the draft. I think all that has some effect. 166 00:08:05.079 --> 00:08:09.040 That'll play defense ninety say ninety, but play defense the 167 00:08:09.040 --> 00:08:12.920 whole game. Again, I think they've all bought. 168 00:08:12.720 --> 00:08:16.920 In and that Pope knowing and doing this. 169 00:08:17.639 --> 00:08:20.279 But college basketball, as you say, maybe college sports were 170 00:08:20.279 --> 00:08:22.680 in such a different realm. Now by the way, we're 171 00:08:22.680 --> 00:08:25.000 gonna have to have almost a whole new team next. 172 00:08:24.800 --> 00:08:25.439 Year, I know. 173 00:08:25.639 --> 00:08:26.399 So do you get it? 174 00:08:26.480 --> 00:08:28.800 Yeah, So we're having a blast this year. Someone asked 175 00:08:28.800 --> 00:08:30.600 me at the other day. I started eleven, said, who cares? 176 00:08:31.120 --> 00:08:31.920 It's this year? 177 00:08:32.080 --> 00:08:33.799 This year, focus on this year. 178 00:08:33.320 --> 00:08:35.039 Every year is this year. 179 00:08:35.159 --> 00:08:38.159 So it's crazy. It really is crazy, but it is exciting. 180 00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:41.159 And you know, you spoke specifically on coach Pope and 181 00:08:41.600 --> 00:08:43.559 what he really has done and there's just been so 182 00:08:43.639 --> 00:08:46.679 much magic in embracing the fan base and this is 183 00:08:46.759 --> 00:08:49.080 Kentucky's team. And you mentioned you got to go to 184 00:08:49.120 --> 00:08:51.919 practice over the summer. Has have you been able to 185 00:08:52.000 --> 00:08:56.600 maybe I don't know, like see this program and kind 186 00:08:56.639 --> 00:08:59.080 of bring that brotherhood back. I know that he and 187 00:08:59.200 --> 00:09:02.000 he invited a bunch of former former players to Big 188 00:09:02.039 --> 00:09:05.159 Blue Madness, and there's been this this outreach of kind 189 00:09:05.200 --> 00:09:08.240 of bringing everybody in and welcoming the brotherhood in. 190 00:09:08.320 --> 00:09:10.039 Has that been different for you this year? 191 00:09:10.399 --> 00:09:14.240 Oh uh, that's kind of what I thought I said earlier. 192 00:09:14.200 --> 00:09:18.320 He is It's Kentucky's team, and it's beautiful. He'll say 193 00:09:18.360 --> 00:09:19.919 to me, he said a few times. I've been on 194 00:09:19.919 --> 00:09:22.120 a few things and he's like, it's your team, Jim, 195 00:09:22.159 --> 00:09:24.080 you built this team. And I'm like, I'm one very 196 00:09:24.120 --> 00:09:25.080 small brick. 197 00:09:24.879 --> 00:09:25.519 In this team. 198 00:09:25.879 --> 00:09:30.200 So it he has embraced it because again, he played 199 00:09:30.200 --> 00:09:34.759 here and he knows what the tradition means. And it 200 00:09:34.840 --> 00:09:36.799 makes all the difference. All the young men like me 201 00:09:36.960 --> 00:09:38.639 that get to come back. I'm not young, but all 202 00:09:38.639 --> 00:09:41.960 that we come back, we feel like he wants us 203 00:09:41.960 --> 00:09:45.279 to come back and be around and he totally embraces that. 204 00:09:45.320 --> 00:09:47.440 All right, listen, everybody, we need to take a brief 205 00:09:47.480 --> 00:09:51.120 moment to think. Our podcast sponsor UK Federal Credit Union 206 00:09:51.159 --> 00:09:53.919 as the official credit union of the University of Kentucky. 207 00:09:54.320 --> 00:09:57.840 UKFCU understands that students need support, and that's why they've 208 00:09:57.840 --> 00:10:01.559 created the Student Rewards Account, which offers them five percent 209 00:10:01.639 --> 00:10:04.519 cash back on all debit card purchases to students aged 210 00:10:04.559 --> 00:10:08.840 thirteen to twenty five. Visit UKFCU dot org or stop 211 00:10:08.879 --> 00:10:11.679 by one of their seven local branches to open an 212 00:10:11.679 --> 00:10:18.759 account today. That really ensured by NCUA well and in 213 00:10:18.799 --> 00:10:22.879 a big opportunity this weekend because Kentucky Louisville is always 214 00:10:22.879 --> 00:10:25.879 a big opportunity and really exciting because there's two new 215 00:10:25.879 --> 00:10:28.039 head coaches, Mark Pope and. 216 00:10:28.720 --> 00:10:30.240 Pat Kelsey at Louisville. 217 00:10:31.639 --> 00:10:35.559 So when you think of this rivalry, maybe what is 218 00:10:35.720 --> 00:10:37.759 one word that comes to your mind? 219 00:10:38.799 --> 00:10:39.440 Or maybe three? 220 00:10:39.759 --> 00:10:45.799 Maybe three, but intense, you know, interstate rivalry that's been 221 00:10:45.840 --> 00:10:49.279 around for so many years now, and I feel so 222 00:10:49.440 --> 00:10:52.440 blessed that I got to play in the revival of 223 00:10:52.480 --> 00:10:55.039 it and back in nineteen eighty three. 224 00:10:55.159 --> 00:10:56.399 So it's. 225 00:10:57.879 --> 00:11:00.399 Something that's state rivalries and it's a beautiful thing for 226 00:11:00.480 --> 00:11:01.440 college basketball. 227 00:11:01.679 --> 00:11:04.200 So something I didn't I didn't realize, and I did 228 00:11:04.240 --> 00:11:06.799 a little little research before we did this podcast, Jim, 229 00:11:07.200 --> 00:11:10.159 But prior to the nineteen eighty three Midwest Regional Final, 230 00:11:10.360 --> 00:11:12.600 Louisville Kentucky hadn't played each. 231 00:11:12.480 --> 00:11:14.519 Other in twenty four years. 232 00:11:14.840 --> 00:11:18.480 So that game that you played in in the Elite eight, 233 00:11:18.840 --> 00:11:21.159 and you know, Louisville ended up winning in overtime, but 234 00:11:21.200 --> 00:11:23.879 you helped send your team to overtime and keep it alive. 235 00:11:24.759 --> 00:11:26.879 They hadn't played in the regular season, So you mentioned 236 00:11:26.919 --> 00:11:30.799 that that being a part of the revival of this rivalry. 237 00:11:31.240 --> 00:11:32.919 You know, what what does that mean? 238 00:11:33.000 --> 00:11:35.639 And now to see how many incredible games that we 239 00:11:35.720 --> 00:11:38.120 have gotten year after year and are hopefully going to 240 00:11:38.120 --> 00:11:39.120 get another one on Saturday. 241 00:11:39.679 --> 00:11:40.679 Well I hope on Saturday. 242 00:11:40.679 --> 00:11:42.519 We're way up in the first so it won't man, 243 00:11:42.559 --> 00:11:46.519 But anyway, it's beautiful. Just like being in the studio 244 00:11:46.600 --> 00:11:50.000 with you here today, there was you know, biggest reason 245 00:11:50.080 --> 00:11:52.519 is how how the Louisville game and how I played, 246 00:11:52.559 --> 00:11:54.720 and the three Louisville games I played, And so what's 247 00:11:54.879 --> 00:11:57.360 ironic to me and fun is so we hadn't played 248 00:11:57.399 --> 00:11:59.440 him in basically twenty five years. That's the best game 249 00:11:59.440 --> 00:12:02.559 I've ever played plaid excitement by far, and I've played 250 00:12:02.600 --> 00:12:07.639 in final fours, I've played another big games. So crazy, 251 00:12:08.720 --> 00:12:13.120 the emotion that went on down in Knoxville, Tennessee, remembered 252 00:12:13.159 --> 00:12:16.720 extremely well. But then we played that was to go 253 00:12:16.759 --> 00:12:18.559 to final four, so it was a big game no 254 00:12:18.600 --> 00:12:22.240 matter what. And then to turn around the next year, 255 00:12:23.519 --> 00:12:26.320 about six months later, we played him again to open 256 00:12:26.320 --> 00:12:30.200 the season up, and then ironically enough, about four months later, 257 00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:33.159 we played him again in the regional, not the final, 258 00:12:33.360 --> 00:12:36.840 in Repperena, And so I'm two out of three. We 259 00:12:36.879 --> 00:12:38.879 won two out of three of those, so I feel pretty. 260 00:12:38.639 --> 00:12:39.360 Good about that. 261 00:12:39.360 --> 00:12:42.039 That's a good percentage, two out of three against little 262 00:12:42.120 --> 00:12:42.600 I think so. 263 00:12:42.639 --> 00:12:45.200 But again, it was kind of ironic how it all 264 00:12:45.519 --> 00:12:46.080 worked out. 265 00:12:46.799 --> 00:12:49.960 You know, when you think back to Joby Hall and 266 00:12:50.039 --> 00:12:52.440 him coaching those games, what did the rivalry mean to 267 00:12:52.519 --> 00:12:54.240 him that he got to be a part of that 268 00:12:54.600 --> 00:12:56.320 revival of that rivalry. 269 00:12:56.399 --> 00:12:58.279 Well, probably after we got beat the first time, he 270 00:12:58.279 --> 00:13:00.559 probably didn't like it too much, but it was so exciting, 271 00:13:00.679 --> 00:13:02.559 so great, and then again we did come back and 272 00:13:02.559 --> 00:13:05.200 win those games. So I'm sure looking back when he 273 00:13:05.679 --> 00:13:09.879 got out of coaching, big deal, and it should have been. 274 00:13:10.039 --> 00:13:12.919 It should have been played, and it's good for college basketball, 275 00:13:12.960 --> 00:13:13.799 it's good for the state. 276 00:13:13.879 --> 00:13:14.159 Really. 277 00:13:14.159 --> 00:13:16.639 Of course, it's more fun when you win the game, actually, 278 00:13:16.720 --> 00:13:19.360 so I think it's been a beautiful thing. And I'm 279 00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:21.600 sure he looks back at that, even me, even though 280 00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:23.960 we got beat the better best word, I like this 281 00:13:24.080 --> 00:13:28.080 bitter sweet for me, so great game went to overtime 282 00:13:28.639 --> 00:13:32.240 and kind of all those years of not playing was 283 00:13:32.240 --> 00:13:34.039 a pretty cool thing to get together. 284 00:13:34.000 --> 00:13:36.519 When this rivalry comes up again every year. 285 00:13:36.559 --> 00:13:38.879 Do you do you talk to some of your former teammates, 286 00:13:38.879 --> 00:13:40.840 Do you guys have a group group chat going on 287 00:13:41.320 --> 00:13:43.120 or kind of get excited for this this game. 288 00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:45.000 I don't know if we do that as much. 289 00:13:45.080 --> 00:13:48.679 We do talk, but again, a guy like me, every 290 00:13:48.759 --> 00:13:54.639 time this game rolls around, I get several calls from media, 291 00:13:55.000 --> 00:13:59.320 whether it's you guys, newspaper, whatever. I even get national calls. 292 00:13:59.360 --> 00:14:01.639 And it's been fun over the years. My son now 293 00:14:01.679 --> 00:14:04.919 he's really into it, so I've had calls some pretty 294 00:14:05.200 --> 00:14:07.799 pretty big time sports people when these games come around 295 00:14:07.879 --> 00:14:09.159 and they want a few words. 296 00:14:09.159 --> 00:14:10.080 So it's a lot of fun. 297 00:14:10.519 --> 00:14:10.840 Is it? 298 00:14:10.879 --> 00:14:13.639 Is it crazy to think that this game almost every year? 299 00:14:13.679 --> 00:14:16.480 Because I was reading an article from twenty nineteen and 300 00:14:16.519 --> 00:14:19.039 you had a similar, similar quote of it was an 301 00:14:19.080 --> 00:14:24.519 athletic article by Danielle Lanner. Every year, you know, it 302 00:14:24.600 --> 00:14:27.440 just seems to come back up, like this game really 303 00:14:27.519 --> 00:14:30.639 lives as a significant moment in not just Kentucky and 304 00:14:30.679 --> 00:14:32.960 Louisville basketball, but basketball history. 305 00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:35.159 Yeah, I think that lady is the one you're referred. 306 00:14:35.200 --> 00:14:36.840 I think she was from like one of the New 307 00:14:36.919 --> 00:14:38.080 York City newspapers. 308 00:14:38.080 --> 00:14:38.600 So I agree. 309 00:14:38.960 --> 00:14:42.799 Somebody had sent me that again and yeah again, it's 310 00:14:43.159 --> 00:14:46.000 it is important not just for Kentucky people come on 311 00:14:46.120 --> 00:14:51.279 Kentucky basketball. It's it's it's truly worldwide. And so that's 312 00:14:51.320 --> 00:14:53.600 a cool thing. And as I've gotten older and Mark 313 00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:55.639 Pope saying, you know, Jim, you're one of the guys 314 00:14:55.639 --> 00:14:57.519 that built this, well, a lot of guys built it, 315 00:14:57.799 --> 00:15:00.840 and he's carrying on that tradition. But it it's just 316 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:04.360 a beautiful thing to be reminded of every year at 317 00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:06.799 this time and other things. So the Louisville game's a 318 00:15:06.919 --> 00:15:07.480 big deal. 319 00:15:07.600 --> 00:15:12.480 Yes, So having so many student athletes from all different places, right, 320 00:15:12.519 --> 00:15:15.120 we mentioned Lamont Butler, He's coming from San Diego State, 321 00:15:15.360 --> 00:15:19.399 Jackson Robinson from BYU, Kobe Brea from Dayton, so many 322 00:15:19.480 --> 00:15:22.879 different players from different schools coming together. They're getting to 323 00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:28.480 experience this first Kentucky Louisville rivalry on Saturday. What would 324 00:15:28.480 --> 00:15:30.919 you say to them to embrace that moment? 325 00:15:31.080 --> 00:15:33.840 Right, Well, I did say something to Kobe. I don't 326 00:15:33.840 --> 00:15:36.600 know if any if they know this, but uk I 327 00:15:36.600 --> 00:15:38.720 thought it was a nice thing. They had ex players 328 00:15:38.799 --> 00:15:42.440 like me write a letter and then even do a 329 00:15:42.519 --> 00:15:46.600 video very recently. So my player was Kobe because he's 330 00:15:46.639 --> 00:15:47.039 a shooter. 331 00:15:47.159 --> 00:15:48.120 I guess, yeah, there you go. 332 00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:52.480 So wrote him a nice letter, beautiful thing, and told 333 00:15:52.519 --> 00:15:54.120 him what it meant to me and the games I 334 00:15:54.200 --> 00:15:58.240 played in and who I played against. And again what 335 00:15:58.279 --> 00:16:01.480 we talked about is people are still talking about my 336 00:16:01.600 --> 00:16:06.000 game against those against that the Dream Game, the original. 337 00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:07.240 Dream Game, the original Dream Game. 338 00:16:07.399 --> 00:16:09.799 So just tell him to embrace it and set his 339 00:16:09.799 --> 00:16:11.879 own memories as the game goes on. 340 00:16:12.039 --> 00:16:15.600 So to watch him play, Kobe Burreah, he was the 341 00:16:15.600 --> 00:16:17.159 player you got matched up with. 342 00:16:17.639 --> 00:16:18.600 We know he's a shooter. 343 00:16:19.159 --> 00:16:22.799 How fun is it to watch him just shoot the. 344 00:16:22.799 --> 00:16:23.960 Three day in and day out? 345 00:16:24.279 --> 00:16:27.519 It is he's a crazy good shooter. Now what we 346 00:16:27.679 --> 00:16:31.440 need to do, coach bo Okay, let's get more shots. 347 00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:34.279 But it's tough and believe it because people know he 348 00:16:34.320 --> 00:16:36.960 can shoot. So even in my day, you know they're 349 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:40.679 going to put somebody on him and so you're you're creative. 350 00:16:40.720 --> 00:16:42.559 If we can get him open more and he's got 351 00:16:42.679 --> 00:16:46.200 he's got to work on it too. But crazy good shooter, 352 00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:50.360 crazy good shooter. So as I tell crazy good shooters, 353 00:16:50.480 --> 00:16:52.480 you got to look for the shot and when you 354 00:16:52.519 --> 00:16:54.559 have it, you got to take the shot. So we 355 00:16:54.639 --> 00:16:56.120 get a lot of guys that can shoot, though, but 356 00:16:56.159 --> 00:16:57.480 he's one of the best. 357 00:16:57.559 --> 00:16:59.960 What do you think makes him such a good shooter? 358 00:17:00.559 --> 00:17:02.480 Well, I asked him that actually down at the Duke 359 00:17:02.559 --> 00:17:05.880 game and we were in the swimming pool. He's soaking 360 00:17:05.960 --> 00:17:08.160 his foot in the tub hot tub or something. I said, 361 00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:11.640 have you always been He goes, yeah, But again it's 362 00:17:11.640 --> 00:17:12.480 probably like anything. 363 00:17:12.519 --> 00:17:14.720 He goes, you know, I work at it. I work 364 00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:15.079 at it. 365 00:17:15.559 --> 00:17:19.720 Crazy good form and gets the spin right and a 366 00:17:19.759 --> 00:17:20.559 lot of confidence. 367 00:17:20.599 --> 00:17:23.519 It takes that. So he is one of my favorites 368 00:17:23.559 --> 00:17:24.000 to watch. 369 00:17:24.519 --> 00:17:25.480 I love it. I love it. 370 00:17:25.519 --> 00:17:28.440 Well, Kentucky has Colgate this Wednesday before they have the 371 00:17:28.440 --> 00:17:31.240 Battle of Bluegrass. So in a week where you have 372 00:17:31.279 --> 00:17:35.240 two games, and especially a significant game on Saturday, you know, 373 00:17:35.319 --> 00:17:37.359 how do you stay focused to make sure you don't 374 00:17:37.400 --> 00:17:38.359 overlook somebody. 375 00:17:38.599 --> 00:17:42.240 Well that's coach Pope and his coaching staff, which they're fantastic. 376 00:17:42.319 --> 00:17:44.799 So I'm sure he's preaching that every day and. 377 00:17:44.839 --> 00:17:45.480 It is tough. 378 00:17:45.599 --> 00:17:48.000 Just so you know, these are young We're not kids, 379 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:51.480 I guess, but young and impressionable and all that. 380 00:17:51.519 --> 00:17:53.359 And now, what I think helps us with this team 381 00:17:53.480 --> 00:17:54.759 is the maturity. 382 00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:57.680 And these young men have played a lot of games, 383 00:17:57.759 --> 00:17:58.319 most of them. 384 00:17:58.440 --> 00:18:00.440 Yeah, I think that helps. 385 00:18:00.799 --> 00:18:04.519 And so you're going to have ups and downs, but 386 00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:07.119 I would be surprised if they don't take care of 387 00:18:07.160 --> 00:18:10.680 business on Wednesday and then look forward to the big 388 00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:11.599 game on Saturday. 389 00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:13.400 The big game on Saturday. I know we're going to 390 00:18:13.440 --> 00:18:13.920 get into. 391 00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:16.400 We got into the Louis game a little bit, but 392 00:18:16.440 --> 00:18:18.240 I do want to just get quickly your thoughts before 393 00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:20.759 we let you go. Jim on the SEC and how 394 00:18:20.799 --> 00:18:24.279 you've really seen this grow, not only as a football 395 00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:27.160 conference but basketball conference. We talked so much about SEC football, 396 00:18:27.200 --> 00:18:33.079 but I mean Auburn, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee still undefeated 397 00:18:33.119 --> 00:18:34.559 in college basketball this year. 398 00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:38.039 How has this conference grown? And what do you think 399 00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:38.359 you can do? 400 00:18:38.400 --> 00:18:39.839 I mean, I think that they could have twelve teams 401 00:18:39.920 --> 00:18:41.839