As college basketball begins to evolve and transition into the NIL and transfer era, more programs are taking a general manager approach to deal with off-court negotiations and contracts between players and the program.
Kentucky coach Mark Pope hasn’t indicated whether or not he will hire a GM in the near future, but said the topic is an ongoing issue that has yet to be fully determined. Pope jokingly said Thursday that he was “looking for the guy that can get me all the best players for zero dollars.”
“We’re having a lot of conversations,” Pope said. “I've had several former teammates say that's exactly what they can do. I don't know if I trust them, but it's a part of the process.”
Indiana recently hired Indiana Pacers senior Vice President of Player Personnel Ryan Carr earlier this week, while Auburn coach Stephen Pearl plans to hire a general manager in the near future.
Former Kentucky coach John Calipari, now at Arkansas, has a general manager on staff. Chris Woolard, who was on Calipari’s staff at Kentucky, serves as the Razorbacks’ general manager.
TALE OF THE TAPE
In reviewing Kentucky’s 72-63 win over South Carolina on Tuesday night, Pope said the Wildcats did some good things despite the team’s poor offensive showing. Otega Oweh scored in single digits for the first time this season in the win.
“The win in general (was) important for us,” Pope said. “It's nice when Otega doesn't have his best night, so that we can get one. I think that's important. I thought it was a good night for several of our guys, but right now, it's just winning time … you win by any means necessary and just find a way to win.”
By the same token, Pope praised his team’s defensive performance against the Gamecocks, who scored a season-high 97 points in their previous encounter.
“I thought our guys were really good (defensively),” Pope said. “I actually thought we were better watching film than I did in real time.”
CRUNCH TIME
Kentucky (18-10, 9-6) remains in contention to earn one of four double byes for the Southeastern Conference Tournament. Three losses in the past four games have the Wildcats scrambling to remain in the upper echelon of the league.
Although under pressure, Pope doesn’t mind being under a form of duress going into the final three games, starting with Saturday’s game against Vanderbilt.
“I don't think people understand this. I'm so grateful for it,” Pope said. “It's what makes this meaningful and special. I think our guys feel the same way. The day that you don't have pressure is going to be a really sad day, because it means that what you're doing doesn't really have any meaning. That's why we're here (and) that's why we come here, so we can be in this, and it's actually the best part. It pushes you and stretches you, and we can't wait to get to it.”
SUMMER PLANS
Pope indicated on his radio show on Wednesday night that plans were underway for a summer trip with next year’s squad, but the destination hasn’t officially been disclosed.
“I can’t yet,” he said.
As a player at Kentucky, Pope and the Wildcats took an excursion to Italy prior to the 1995-96 season. Looking back, Pope said, “That trip was absolute misery.”
“It was the worst experience of my life,” Pope said. “Actually, it was really hard on purpose. Coach (Rick Pitino) made it that way, and we came back, hung a banner and got a ring.”
Pope added that he’s “had experience with these trips in coaching as a head coach and they're unbelievable.”
“It's an incredible opportunity to bond with a group of guys in a unique way,” he said. “We work really hard to find ways where we don't have the opportunity to take a trip like that to bond. … It's different when you spend that much condensed time together in the summer, where there is some intensity to it, but there's a lot of also just being together and doing it in an environment that nobody is familiar with.
“I think they're really special. I think guys remember them forever. I think usually you remember them more positively than I remember mine.”
Gametracker: Vanderbilt at Kentucky, 1 p.m., Saturday. TV/Radio: ESPN, UK Radio Network on 94.7 The Mix and WiLLiE 102
Kentucky Today File Photo by Keith Taylor.
