Mark Pope deflected praise for No. 19 Kentucky’s big 77-72 win over Duke after the game Tuesday.

Pope was credited very much for the way his team was able to pull off the upset by both reporters and fans. He does not necessarily see it as a “him” thing, though.

It is all about the players, fan base and wins that the Wildcats produced on the recruiting trail because of what they bring day in and day out on the court:

“Here’s the thing,” Pope said. “I’ve learned in the last few years that this is actually not about me at all. If it’s about me, it’s too much and too big. It’s about these boys. It’s about (Big Blue Nation). It’s about these guys coming and competing. These guys dreaming of wearing a Kentucky jersey one day. Never thinking they would and actually being here now and doing it and being in this game, that’s what makes this special. I just get to observe and watch and that’s pretty great.”

Pope came into this job with the lofty responsibility of replacing the legendary John Calipari, who consistently kept Kentucky one of the top basketball programs for years before he ultimately went to Arkansas. It is safe to say Pope has risen to the occasion.