Concerns about Kentucky may ultimately prove to be valid. But at 3-0 with a marquee win, the Wildcats’ national title odds have already moved up to +2200, which rank 10th-best overall. They have just the fourth-best odds to win the SEC at +1400, though we can expect those to also shorten soon if Pope and the Wildcats keep it up.

Kentucky got their first big win of the season over No. 6 Duke in the Champions Classic, and it was Mark Pope's first signature statement victory as head coach

It didn't take long for new University of Kentucky head coach Mark Pope to endear himself to Big Blue Nation. When you respect your players and the game itself, you're bound to win over the admiration of the fans,

Mark Pope delivered an early signature win as Kentucky's head coach, but he's putting the attention on his players.

ATLANTA — Kentucky has a coach with a clipboard who knows how to use it. New Wildcats head man Mark Pope made all the right decisions down the stretch of a 77-72 win over No. 6 Duke that will have Big Blue Nation falling even further in love with him.

By Keith Taylor Kentucky Today It took Mark Pope just three games to get his first signature win at Kentucky. The No. 19 Wildcats made timely plays down the stretch to hold off No. 6 Duke 77-72 in the State Farm Champions Classic on Tuesday night in Atlanta.

Otega Oweh knocked down four free throws in the final 10.3 seconds and No. 19 Kentucky claimed the first big win of Mark Pope’s coaching tenure, knocking off No. 6 Duke 77-72 at the Champions Classic

It wasn't an easy decision, but when Mark Pope decided to return to coach his alma mater, he took on all the pressure of UK fandom.

Mark Pope wanted more intensity on the offensive glass, and that’s exactly what he got Saturday. The Kentucky Wildcats have two blowout victories on the season, but those two games were certainly different,