Kentucky Basketball - LIVE BREATHE BLUE - Keeping it Real

Unlike his predecessor, Kentucky head basketball coach Mark Pope hopes to keep it real with local reporters during the upcoming season. Like some AI-generated avatar, the man obviously gets it—having said all the right things at all the right times during his initial six months at the helm. 

The captain of the 1996 national champs understands that in the Bluegrass—where basketball is a way of life—the local media shouldn’t be denigrated or talked down to. He knows full well that all the hard-working scribes in attendance today at his Media Day press conference serve as the primary bridge between the team and the citizens of Big Blue Nation.

During his thirty minutes behind the dais, Pope didn't just bore us to death with Xs and Os or speak condescendingly in banal platitudes. No, Pope took a philosophical detour when prompted, giving us a glimpse into the art of storytelling and the critical role local reporters play in making sure the Wildcats’ saga is told in all its glory. And let's be honest—sometimes in all its mess, too.

Pope waxed poetic about storytelling—yes, storytelling, storytelling, storytelling. He repeated the word like it was his favorite verse from a well-worn song. In his eyes, storytelling is the key to connecting people, whether you’re a coach, a business owner, or even the person who keeps the lights on at Rupp Arena. It’s the secret sauce that makes Kentucky basketball more than just a collection of games. It’s what makes the passion and zeal of the program stand out.

“It’s the first time in the season where 23,000 of us get to be in the same room together and just feel each other,” Pope said about Friday’s upcoming Big Blue Madness. 

But here’s where the local media comes in: not everyone can make it to Madness, so it’s up to reporters to bring that sense of connection to the masses. Whether you’re in the nosebleeds or at home on your couch with a bag of stale popcorn, the local media makes sure you’re part of the story.

And here’s something even more telling. Pope knows that the best stories aren’t just a series of highlight-reel dunks or buzzer-beaters.

“Stories are boring if it’s just kind of glossy the whole time,” he said with a laugh.

What he meant was that people make mistakes, and Pope said he doesn’t mind being called out when he screws up—at least, not too much. There’s an understanding between the local media and the team: the reporters have a job to do, and that job isn’t just to sing the team’s praises 24/7. The media is there to hold the team accountable, to ask the tough questions, and to keep the narrative real. And in return, the team gets a fan base that’s engaged and invested in every twist and turn of the season.

Pope also hit on an interesting point: it’s easy to make eye contact when things are going well. After a big win, everyone’s all smiles, pats on the back, and high-fives. But when things get rough—when practice is sloppy, or disgruntled players pout, or you lose to Saint Peters in the first round of the NCAA tournament—that’s when people tend to turn away. 

“We start to get lost in our own head,” Pope said, and that’s where the local media steps in. They’re the ones who help the fans make sense of those tough times, who remind everyone that a rocky road can still lead to a golden destination. 

And he’s right! Sure, we love a good blowout victory, but what really makes sports great is the drama—the tension, the heartbreak, the uncertainty. It’s when things go sideways that the story gets good.

The local media’s job? To tell that story in all its nitty-gritty detail. After all, what fun is it if you don’t know how close the team came to unraveling before pulling it all together for a miracle run in March? Whether it’s an unexpected loss, an injured star, or even a coach who’s “playing it too safe” (I’m looking at you, Coach Stoops), those are the moments that keep fans biting their nails, crying in their beer, and tweeting out their frustrations.

Pope knows this, and he appreciates it. “I’m not begging you to say all the terrible things about me, for sure,” he quipped. “But telling the story matters…I’m grateful for storytelling—and it’s actually doubly good when it’s relatively accurate storytelling.”

Pope understands that telling the whole truth—the good, the bad, and the ugly—is what makes the Kentucky basketball story so compelling. It’s what keeps the fans coming back, game after game, season after season.

Ultimately, the role of local media is to give fans more than just a final score. Sure, anyone can check the box score, but it’s the stories behind the numbers that matter. 

So, what’s the takeaway? The local media is essential in making Kentucky basketball what it is—a shared experience that transcends the hardwood. They don’t just cover the team; they shape how we see it, how we feel about it, and how we remember it. Whether they’re celebrating a hard-fought victory or dissecting a gut-wrenching loss, the local media keeps the pulse of Big Blue Nation alive.

In the end, Pope said it best: "Storytelling matters." And without the local media, that connection between the team and the fans wouldn’t be nearly as strong. So, here’s my promise to all of you: I’ll be keeping you in the game not only when the Cats are flying high—but also when things aren’t so glossy.

Stay tuned for some intriguing stories.

Dr. John Huang is a retired orthodontist, military veteran, and award-winning author. He currently serves as a columnist for Nolan Group Media. You can follow him on social media @KYHuangs and check out his debut novel—“Name, Image, and Murder”—and all his books at https://www.Amazon.com/stores/Dr.-John-Huang/author/B092RKJBRD