NASHVILLE — It all comes down to this for Kentucky basketball. And principally, Mark Pope.
With UK shown the door at the SEC Tournamenton Friday night, clobbered by Alabama’s unrelenting offensive onslaught, the only thing left in front of Pope and the Wildcats is the event that captivates the nation each year at this time.
Call it what you want.
The NCAA Tournament. The Big Dance. March Madness.
For Pope, it’s akin to judgment day.
How his first season guiding his alma mater always will be viewed through the prism of how Kentucky fares in the NCAA Tournament.
Of course, he’ll always have the come-from-behind victory over Duke. The overtime win versus Gonzaga in the (so-called) neutral setting of Seattle. The sweep of Tennessee. And drawing first blood against fellow first-year coach Pat Kelsey in the Battle of the Bluegrass.
Eight wins over foes ranked in the top 15 of the AP poll at the time of the matchup is nothing to scoff at; in fact, it’s something to commend. A record, actually, equaling the tally of top-15 conquests set by Duke (in 1978-79) and Indiana (1992-93) for most in a season.
But bow out in the opening weekend of the Big Dance?
