It would be hard to script a better start to the Mark Pope era than what’s happened thus far. Kentucky’s win vs. No. 6 Duke in the Champions Classic showed that all the refreshing off-court changes since Pope took over for John Calipari may already be translating into on-court results. There are few people happier about that than Mitch Barnhart, who took a chance on Pope after Kentucky’s first two choices, Scott Drew and Dan Hurley, said no.
Barnhart has been right by Pope’s side thus far, calling the audible to hold his introductory press conference at Rupp Arena, presenting him with a commemorative bourbon barrel top after his first win, and even joining in the postgame celebrations in Atlanta, going into the locker room first with water bottles blazingto pave the way for Pope to get doused by his players. It’s quite a contrast from Barnhart’s relationship with …