Mark Pope offers perspective on rumored incident with Pat Kelsey
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The Kentucky Wildcats and Louisville Cardinals have one of college basketball’s most intense rivalries. Their shared on-court hatred of one another apparently boiled over onto 2026 recruit Tay Kinney’s front lawn a couple weeks ago, when Kentucky head coach Mark Pope and Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey had a “verbal spat” during between their respective in-home visits with Kinney.
Pope finally addressed the supposed altercation during a press conference on Monday. He admitted the initial reports on the situation were overblown, then teased that he should have concocted a tale for everyone.
“I want so badly to have fun with this, guys,” Pope grinned. “I’m just not sure what direction to go with it… It was really a big nothing, but I want it to be something… I can’t decide if I should make up a story or not.”
Kelsey inadvertently followed Pope’s story idea near the end of September when speaking at a high school football luncheon. He joked that he and Pope were “in a UFC fight” where their bout was the headliner.
While whatever transpired is something both Pope and Kelsey likely hope to avoid going forward, getting the sparks flying between Kentucky and Louisville again is never a bad thing. Pope knows how important that rivalry — and others that are being renewed this year — are to Wildcat fans.
“The beauty of this deal is the rivalries… Indiana is gonna be way better. I think Louisville is getting way better. Our in-conference rivals continue to get way better. And I love every second of it. It’s how it’s supposed to be,” Pope said. “North Carolina is gonna be better this year, and they roll into Rupp [Arena]. I love when the competition is elite level… that’s what happens. It gets fun and salty and competitive… if it never spills over, that means you’re not… fully in it, with your whole heart and soul.”
Kentucky opens its season on Nov. 4 versus Nicholls. One week later, the Wildcats travel to Louisville to face the Cardinals. The start time for that game has not yet been determined.
