Clare Grant/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

Kentucky Wildcats: Mark Pope Taunts Louisville Cardinals Ahead of 2024 Season

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics
By Christian Alamodin | Last updated 4/17/24

Exciting times are ahead for the Kentucky Wildcats as Mark Pope seems to be off to a bright start. The amount of support he got from his introductory press conference turned the event into a rally that the program and its fanbase badly needed.

However, the fanbase’s expectations aren’t limited to improved performances in the March Madness tournament. It’s vital to them that the team maintains the hardwood dominance they have built over their toughest basketball rivals.

Pope, a former Wildcat himself, understands the importance of the rivalry and played onto it in an attempt to endear himself to the fanbase.

Mark Pope taunts Louisville Cardinals as he rouses Kentucky Wildcats fanbase

The Louisville Cardinals are known for their love of basketball and the L’s Up. It’s a popular sign done by the Cardinals and their fans at almost every game.

Pope reportedly is more than happy to play into the bitter rivalry the two currently share, even going so far as to encourage it.

Per The Spun’s Kameron Duncan:

The “L’s Down” – a play on Louisville’s L’s Up – has become popular among Kentucky fans as a jab to their in-state rivals.

After being revealed as the new head coach, Pope was asked about his feelings on the hand gesture.

“The one thing I know about Big Blue Nation is if I say anything about the L’s Down, I’m going to get run out of town and I’d like to stay here for a long time, so I’m going to keep my mouth closed on that one,” Pope said on the “UK HealthCare Mark Pope Show.”

Curiously, Pope is leaning to this now when he used to stop BYU fans from taunting the Texas Longhorns fans during his time as the program’s head coach.

It may be Pope playing into the program or his attachment to the school as a former player. However, he doesn’t want the Wildcats’ six-game winning streak against the Cardinals to end soon.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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