The Kentucky Wildcats have had a sizzling start to the 2024-25 season- thanks in part to their new head coach, Mark Pope. Leading his team to a perfect 5-0 record with wins over top-ranked opponents like Duke, he seems to have brought not just a winning strategy but a little something extra to the table. While they continue to climb rankings, it’s a practice outside of basketball that keeps them going.

Coach Pope doesn’t just preach about winning games, he preaches about winning at life. He recently explained how gratitude is a cornerstone of the team’s success: “You cannot be more happy than you are grateful. Gratitude is something we have to practice. If you’re great at being grateful, by definition, you’ll 100% be happy,” Pope said.

According to him, happiness is not determined by fame or wealth but by the gratitude one brings to any circumstance. And he doesn’t just talk the talk, he makes sure his players walk the walk. The Wildcats practice gratitude every day. “We practice gratitude because you can actually get better at being grateful,” he said. 

The team takes part in a “gratitude circle” after practice, where players take turns naming something they’re grateful for before tagging a teammate to do the same. It’s something that has helped the Wildcats play together as a team, creating better synergy on and off the court. 

The 52-year-old shared on his new live show on Monday, “It’s a beautiful thing. It actually makes us perform better as athletes. We play more together as athletes and we really win at life when we can understand the impact of gratitude.” As for the Wildcats’ performance, it speaks for itself.

They’ve made a meteoric rise in the AP rankings, moving up an impressive 14 spots over just two weeks. This has been a record-setting climb, with Kentucky jumping 10 spots in just one week. The team started a big win against No. 6 Duke and victories in the other four games by an average of 36.8 points. 

With tough matchups ahead, the team’s ranking could see another boost, especially since three teams ahead of them—UConn, Auburn, and Iowa State—are competing in the loaded Maui Invitational. After these games, Kentucky could further strengthen their claim to a top-five spot with a game at Clemson on December 3 and a huge clash with third-ranked Gonzaga just days later. 

If the Wildcats can keep their momentum, they might be in the top tier of the rankings by the next poll, per Lexington Herald-Leader. But while the head coach prepares his team to dominate on the court, he’s also been busy with new projects off the court. 

Mark Pope launches new weekly show 

The Kentucky coach has got a brand-new live show, and fans couldn’t be more excited about it. The “UK HealthCare Mark Pope Show” is a weekly opportunity for Big Blue Nation to get an inside look at Coach Pope’s thoughts, strategies, and some of his wisdom.

The show airs every Monday, offering a unique platform for the Kentucky coach to connect with fans and share his insights into the Wildcats’ basketball journey. Hosted by the voice of the Wildcats, Tom Leach, the show allows fans to hear firsthand from Coach Pope about the X’s and O’s of the game. 

Fans can tune in at 6:00 or 7:00 pm ET, with shows airing on UK Athletics’ website, UK Sports Network Affiliates, and the team’s Facebook page. The show is also available to listen to on 630 WLAP radio, so no matter where you are, you can catch Pope’s thoughtful reflections.

And not to forget, Pope is already very well known for his motivational talks. His views go far beyond the basketball court. So whether you’re a Kentucky fan, a basketball enthusiast, or someone who just needs a little inspiration, you won’t want to miss out on this.