SEC players discuss Kentucky’s transition from Coach Cal to Mark Pope

SEC Men’s Basketball Media Day is underway in Birmingham, head coaches from all 16 programs within the league taking questions at the podium while two players for each team speak in separate scrums.

Among the biggest topics in the SEC? John Calipari‘s departure from Kentucky and Mark Pope taking over as head coach to begin a new era for the winningest tradition in college basketball history. What was it like seeing the news Coach Cal was making the move to Fayetteville? And what is the perception of the Wildcats now with Pope leading the charge? Is that game circled on the calendar the same way as it was under Calipari?

KSR asked the SEC players in attendance to share their thoughts.

Nick Pringle (South Carolina)

“It’s a big change, Coach Cal making his move and Coach Pope coming in. He’s got a nice roster over there and I feel like he’s going to make an impact. In the SEC — shoot, just look at it. Go down the line, teams are stacked. That’s the one thing that makes the SEC the best conference in the country. That’s what I’d say.

“People still look at Kentucky as Kentucky. Coach Cal left a great image there, but the tradition there is never going to change. Kentucky is always going to be Kentucky. The same players who came through are going to still come through. They’re going to continue to bring talent in and I feel like Coach Pope is going to start his own legacy there.”

Silas Demary Jr. (Georgia)

“That transition was hectic and it was crazy. A lot of people across the basketball world were shocked. Nobody expected Coach Cal to leave Kentucky, everyone thought he’d retire there. Looking at it from my perspective, I just think it’s another challenge for my team and I to go into a new arena and face a new coach coming into the SEC. We want to face it head on with confidence and I want to lead my team. It’s going to be a great year and a great matchup.

“I don’t know much (about Coach Pope), but I think he played there. I know he’s a good coach coming from a good program. He brought in some good players, Brandon Garrison is from Oklahoma State. Brought some guys with him from BYU. He’s a good coach and he’ll do well his first year.

“For me, you want to look at what the team is instead of who is coaching who. You want to respect any team you’re playing on any given night. I just want to take it as an opportunity with every game, not put too much pressure on the guys or myself. I’m just focused on the game and coming out with a win.”

Zakai Zeigler (Tennessee)

“Of course. It’s going to be a little different at first, but at the end of the day, we’re still the guys out there playing on the court. Whether he’s at Arkansas or Texas or Texas State, no matter where he’s at, we’re still the guys on the court. No matter who the coach is, no matter who the players are, we’re just out there trying to battle and trying to win.

“It’s definitely the same exact approach every game. You go in looking for the win and expecting to win, especially knowing all of the hard work we’ve put in. No matter who the coach is or who the players are, no matter what the team name says, we’re expecting to win as long as we take care of what we’re supposed to do.

“I thought it was fake at first, honestly. I honestly did. I thought it was fake. I forgot where I saw it, but it wasn’t on an official page. So I just let it be for a little while. Then the next day I looked back and was like, ‘Oh wait, this is real.’ It was a little bit of shock, but I’m glad he feels he’s in a better position.”

Jahmai Mashack (Tennessee)

“Man, it’s different. It’s going to take some getting used to, Cal not with Kentucky after growing up seeing him in blue. Seeing him in a different color is definitely going to take some getting used to. It doesn’t matter who the coach is for me, whether it’s him or somebody him. No matter what, Kentucky is still Kentucky and I’m still Tennessee. That rivalry is still there. No matter who is on that court or who is coaching that team, I’m coming with that same mindset. It’s a mindset to kill.”

This post will be updated throughout the day…

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