UK loses to John Calipari and Arkansas in a game the UK fan base really wanted. For the first time as the Wildcats’ coach, Pope faces adversity.

Yes, Mark Pope is the man for the job at Kentucky. He’s the shot in the arm this program needed as it turned the page on John Calipari’s run in Lexington. It’s the right voice who pushes the right buttons and has overwhelmingly exceeded early expectations with a roster he put together on short notice and no recruiting base.

The Wildcats are beating expectations and playing pretty ball in Year 1, but their new coach's link with the fan base is powering the vibes.