'Blame Louisville': Pope jokes about early rivalry date — but not about Kentucky's schedule

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky basketball coach Mark Pope said he's not sure how the annual rivalry game with Louisville ended up so early on the calendar this season — the teams will meet on Nov. 11 in the KFC Yum! Center — but he has a theory.

"Blame Louisville for that," Pope said, smiling. "... I heard there might be a push from people who wanted it in December. Is that true? ... I actually don't know how we got to the date. You know, more important people are dealing with those issues than me. But I'm sure it's Louisville's fault."

Pope was joking — mostly. But Kentucky's nonconference schedule is no joke, and during an offseason update with reporters, he spotlighted just how ambitious it's become.

Louisville | Kentucky | Indiana | Bozich & Crawford

UK is expected to open the season ranked in the top 10 thanks to a top-tier recruiting class and several key returners — particularly if Otega Oweh withdraws from the NBA Draft and comes back for another year in Lexington.

The Wildcats will open their exhibition season in Rupp Arena with a showdown against Purdue, ESPN's projected preseason No. 1. They'll face Rick Pitino's St. John's team in the CBS Sports Classic on Dec. 20 in Atlanta, renew their rivalry with Louisville on Nov. 11, take on Michigan State at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 18, meet Gonzaga in Nashville on Dec. 5 and bring Indiana to Rupp Arena on Dec. 13.

"Wait, what?" Pope said. "Who scheduled that?"

"I love playing great teams all the time," Pope went on. "I think it's really important. Anytime there's a chance to get great teams to come to Rupp, we're going to take it — exhibition, preseason, conference — it doesn't matter. I'm just excited for BBN that we get to walk in here in late October and play the No. 1 team in the country."

Pope said the approach reflects his belief in the group he's assembled — and a desire to build toughness and cohesion well before SEC play begins.

"It's not just about the data you get from the game," he said. "It's all of the energy and juice it adds to your locker room every day during the summer and fall. It sets a tone. It makes you better."

He also offered high praise for Purdue coach Matt Painter.

"I don't know if he's the best coach in college basketball, but he's certainly among the top couple," Pope said. "What he's done at Purdue is incredible, and I have so much respect for him. He makes life really difficult for the teams that play against him."

Pope was so enthusiastic about the schedule that when the press conference wrapped up without a single question about St. John's, he brought it up himself.

"Nobody asked about St John's? Is this possible?" Pope said. "I'm excited. You guys aren't excited about this? Man, I've been working hard on this game. I'm so grateful to CBS. I'm grateful to UCLA. I don't know what happened with UCLA, but somehow they're not in this and St John's is — and it's awesome."

The matchup with Pitino adds some flash to an already stacked schedule — and Pope promised he'll be ready for it.

"I'm putting this out there so Coach P can hear it — I am bringing the suit game," Pope said. "I've already started planning. Coach, just be ready. OK? Bring it. And the game's going to be elite."

But no white suit, Pope clarified.