A few months ago, Mark Pope paid for hundreds of Kentucky fans’ ice cream at Rupp Arena, and now he is will paying to pay for gas money for them to travel to Milwaukee first Kentucky’s first and second-round games in the NCAA Tournament.

“If anybody is having trouble with gas money, hit me up,” Pope said on his weekly call-in show. “Let’s go. Let’s get all of BBN out there.”

Just minutes later, Pope explained that his executive assistant had already received a “whole slew” of requests via email for gas money, including a University of Kentucky student in Florida on spring break, named Jack.

“That was not a good call on my part,” Pope said. Going on to explain that Jack had requested gas money or a ticket and that he and his girlfriend would make the journey to Milwaukee for the Wildcats’ opening games.

“Listen Jack, here’s the deal, I’m going to try to hit you back man. I’m going to do my best.”

Being a former player and fan of Kentucky, he understands the fanatical-ness of the Wildcat fanbase.

“It is the greatest blessing in the world to be a part of BBN, there is nowhere like it,” Pope exclaimed. “I love it.”

“Gas money for Milwaukee, this is not going to go well.”

Good thing Pope is paid handsomely.

Kentucky won a game in the SEC Tournament for the first time since 2022, but it came at the cost of an injury to Lamont Butler.

Against Oklahoma, the Wildcats’ starting point guard reinjured his left shoulder which kept him out of six games in SEC play. The body language of the staff and the words of Mark Pope, who used the word “devastating”, did not inspire confidence that he would return for the NCAA Tournament.

Talking to Tom Leach on Friday night before their game against Alabama, Pope said they had received the “best possible news” on Butler.

“We got the best possible news about Lamont,” Pope said. “He’s gonna be in good shape, but we’re going to sit him tonight. We look forward to having him moving forward.”

On Sunday morning, College basketball national analyst Jon Rothstein reported that Butler will be available for Kentucky’s first-round NCAA Tournament game this week.

Great news to kick off Selection Sunday!

Kentucky didn’t play to their ability against Alabama. Playing less than 24 hours before, down their starting point guard in Lamont Butler, and their leading scorer in Otega Oweh for an extended period of time, it’s not difficult to see why.

Shortly after the Crimson Tide’s 99-70 win over Kentucky, head coach Nate Oats was asked about their next matchup against the Florida Gators. To which Oats responded with some subtle shade the Wildcats’ way.

“Florida is a lot better team [than Kentucky],” Oats said. “They’re a lot deeper. They’re not missing so many pieces due to injury like Kentucky was. We’re gonna be in for a war tonight.”

While Oats did acknowledge Kentucky’s injuries, the initial comment was very much avoidable.

Against the Gators, Alabama went on to lose forward Grant Nelson and was outscored 57-37 in the second half, ultimately suffering a blowout loss of their own, 104- 82.

Just imagine what would have happened had they been down two starters and a backup point guard.