BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Mark Pope made it clear during the Southeastern Conference media day that he’s proud of his association with Kentucky basketball.


The new head coach proudly wore a letterman-style jacket featuring the Wildcats’ colors while addressing the media on Tuesday. This jacket was originally intended for recruits to model during a photo opportunity, but Pope decided it was too appealing to pass up.


“I saw this jacket, and I thought, forget the recruits, man. That is too good. I’ve got to have it,” he shared. “In a general sense, as an older individual, I’m trying to look a bit younger.”


Emblazoned on the back of the jacket were the names of the Wildcats’ eight NCAA championship-winning teams, serving as a stark reminder of the last victory that occurred in 2012. Pope, who captained the 1996 championship team, was joined by Jaxson Robinson, a player who transferred from BYU and expressed admiration for the jacket.


“It’s a nice jacket. He wore it a couple of days ago,” Robinson commented. “I really like it and wish I had one myself.”


In other news, the preseason rankings have brought optimism for several SEC teams. No. 24 Mississippi will kick off its season as a ranked team for the second time since 1997-98, while No. 21 Florida Gators are making their first preseason ranking appearance since 2019.


These rankings signify progress for both schools as they head into the forthcoming season. Rebels coach Chris Beard noted that while pride comes with the recognition, the real focus remains on performance throughout the year.


“We appreciate the respect we’re receiving, but if we’re not better at the end of the year, we’ll consider it disappointing,” Beard remarked.


In the case of Florida’s head coach, Todd Golden, he explained that the ranking reflects the respect afforded to his players, a sentiment he values, even if it doesn’t dominate their discussions.


Meanwhile, South Carolina coach Lamont Paris expressed confusion over last year’s expectations that his team would finish last, and now standing at 11th place feels like a better evaluation after they exceeded expectations in the previous season.


“I wondered how many questions it would take before someone referenced last year,” Paris said, acknowledging his award as SEC coach of the year. “Being put in a position where you have to prove yourself is a bit of a blessing.”


For Auburn, the pain of a disappointing last season lingers as they reminisce about their narrow loss to Yale in the NCAA Tournament first round. Player Johni Broome noted the lasting impact, stating they frequently review the score on their practice board.


Auburn enters the new season ranked 11th and aims to turn the page on the frustration of previous performances. Broome indicated a shared dissatisfaction among teammates: “Everybody knows that it’s still a sour taste in our mouth.”


On a more hopeful note, the Missouri Tigers appear to have made significant improvements from last season, especially after their winless streak in SEC play. Coach Dennis Gates has bolstered the roster by bringing in high-profile transfers and a solid recruiting class.


“I aimed to ensure we had exceptional talent that could adapt to various styles and also included experience,” Gates explained.


Meanwhile, Texas coach Rodney Terry is set to go head-to-head with his former mentor, Mississippi’s Chris Beard, on January 29. Following Beard’s midseason firing in January 2023, Terry took over and led the team on a remarkable Elite Eight run.


Terry reflected, “Chris Beard and I go way, way back. We’re talking about 25 years of friendship. He remains one of my really close friends in the business.”


Beard’s time at Texas concluded under challenging circumstances, but he has since secured a new contract ahead of the SEC Tournament.


As Texas A&M’s coach Buzz Williams noted about Wade Taylor IV, “He will go down in the annals of history as one of the best players to ever play at A&M.” Taylor is approaching a significant milestone, needing just 402 points to surpass Bernard King’s school record of 1,990 points.